Braves Spring Training news and roster competition

[dak]

Now that the full squad has reported, thought it would be good to have a place to discuss the daily scuttlebutt from camp.

Here are a few key developments from the past few days.

Garcia will need to ease concerns about his 3B defense to earn a roster spot. If he goes to AAA, could open a spot for Swisher or Francoeur.
http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article...-at-third-base

Freeman unexpectedly takes live BP yesterday and wrist responds well.
http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article...ngs-in-live-bp

A few middle relief candidates earn early praise . . .

[rico43]

Has anyone seen a spring roster that includes the uniform numbers of the non-roster guys and Gant? Looked everywhere and have only seen a couple. I want to fill in our roster above before they start cutting people, but some Web sites are months behind. There are "current" rosters posted that still include Bethancourt and Marimon on the roster.

[dak]

Sounds like Kendrick and Chacin may have the edge for the final two rotation spots. Maybe Banuelos as the long man initially to manage his innings?

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Braves are expected to have two or three of their many prospects make starts in the first week or so, but soon afterward they’ll settle into a rotation of five starters who will build pitch counts and innings aiming for the opening-day rotation.

As of now, manager Fredi Gonzalez indicated that five would be Julio Teheran – a lock for his third consecutive opening-day start – and, in no specific order, Bud Norris, Matt Wisler and veteran non-roster invitees Kyle Kendrick and Jhoulys Chacin.

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseb...ves-rot/nqZYW/

[dak]

Another thing I'm wondering now that I look at Banuelos' Minor League stats . . . does he qualify for a 4th option year? Players that have 5 or fewer "full" professional seasons (defined as 90 days on the active list) qualify for a 4th option. He didn't play in 2013 and almost certainly didn't have a "full" season in 2012 when the elbow issues started and he was shut down. So his "full" seasons look to be 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2015. So, there's at least a chance he has that extra option year.

[dak]

Bowman sees things differently than DOB . . .

[striker42]

Williams Perez is a guy who I can't get a good read on. Unimpressive stuff, average control, doesn't get a ton of Ks, but impressive minor league production and he didn't look totally overwhelmed last year. The stat projections (most nearly worthless) all seem to agree in predicting he'll have an ERA in the mid 4's this year with slightly above replacement player level overall production. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if his ERA is as low as 3.50 or as high as 6.00.

But if he can put up a 4.30 ERA and eat some innings, he'd be a good 5th starter. The problem comes with his ceiling. If that's all he's ever going to be capable of, how long do you let take innings away from guys like Blair, Newcomb, and Sims? Those guys will need to get innings to adjust to the majors.

Come July we could have Teheran, Wisler, Banuelos, Perez, and one of Blair, Newcomb, and Sims in the rotation (Norris either busting or getting traded). That would leave the remaining two of Blair, Newcomb, and Sims sitting in AAA with other guys like Jenkins, Gant, and Ellis behind them. If that's the case and Perez is posting a mid-4 ERA, I'd have a hard time leaving him in the rotation while other pitchers with more potential need those innings.

Injuries and guys busting have a way of making these issues moot though.

[chop2chip]

My issue with Perez is that he can throw one pitch really well (the sinker) and the rest of his repertoire is pretty meh. That would be serviceable as a backend or long man, but he has control issues which makes his stuff play down.

I would much rather see Banuelos in the rotation over him because if you squint hard enough you can see an okay lefty starter with three pitches. Perez doesn't offer much in the way of upside.

[MadduxFanII]

It would be a real bummer to start the season with a Norris-Kendrick-Chacin back of the rotation. Probably not a bad thing, I suppose, considering the importance of developing the young guys and not throwing them into the fire and futilely burning a year of service time, but damn, that is one boring-ass rotation.

[dak]

It would be a real bummer to start the season with a Norris-Kendrick-Chacin back of the rotation. Probably not a bad thing, I suppose, considering the importance of developing the young guys and not throwing them into the fire and futilely burning a year of service time, but damn, that is one boring-ass rotation.

Agreed. To me, Kendrick has Stults 2.0 written all over him. I'm at least curious about Chacin given past performance.

[dak]

[striker42]

My issue with Perez is that he can throw one pitch really well (the sinker) and the rest of his repertoire is pretty meh. That would be serviceable as a backend or long man, but he has control issues which makes his stuff play down.

I would much rather see Banuelos in the rotation over him because if you squint hard enough you can see an okay lefty starter with three pitches. Perez doesn't offer much in the way of upside.

Perez has a good sinker and a decent changeup. That's about it stuff wise. He's a right handed pitcher who pitches like a crafty lefty. Whether he can stick in a rotation will depend on his control.

I'd rather see Banuelos in the rotation than Perez as well. I'm not super high on Banuelos but he has a higher ceiling than Perez and early reports have Manny finally throwing without pain for the first time since before TJ surgery. Manny probably is ahead of Perez on the depth chart at this point.

[dak]

Bow with a good point on Banuelos. No mention of Chacin being in the rotation. Also conspicuously absent is Ryan Weber. Folty, of course, is a couple weeks behind due to injury rehab.

[Millwood1Hitter]

Sounds like everyone has been impressive so far in spring training. Reason to BELIEVE!

[The Chosen One]

Braves alumni in the house.

Andruw, Huddy, Javy, all instructors.

[NinersSBChamps]

Braves alumni in the house.

Andruw, Huddy, Javy, all instructors.

Cleanup hitter, a number 3 starter with a superb bat, and a starting catcher?

[The Chosen One]

Cleanup hitter, a number 3 starter with a superb bat, and a starting catcher?

Gotta teach the kids the "Braves Way"

[Julio3000]

Lord, I hope we don't have to scrimmage vs. the instructors.

[The Chosen One]

Lord, I hope we don't have to scrimmage vs. the instructors.

From what I read it was:

Javy, Otis, McGriff, Andruw, Huddy are here. Plus Francouer and Kelly.

I also think I saw Jose Hernandez (shortstop) in one of the pictures.

So yes we might be able to field a team to beat them for sure.

[The Chosen One]

Murphy also in camp. Now we just need David Justice, Brian Jordan, and Marcus Giles. And Fooky?

[clvclv]

Murphy also in camp. Now we just need David Justice, Brian Jordan, and Marcus Giles. And Fooky?

Think I'd prefer Sheffield in LF.