Who is for real?

[BeanieAntics]

Right now we have a bunch of guys on offense who are destroying the ball. Guys who we didn't really expect to. Specifically Swanson, Flaherty, and Tucker. Obviously SSS applies in this situation but their performance has to be at least a little encouraging. So out of this group, do you think any of them have made real progress? Or have they just been getting BABIP luck exclusively.

I think I'm inclined to believe that Tucker's progress is for real. I think that he is really coming into his own at the plate. I think Swanson has made some slight improvements, but not enough to really become a "good" hitter. I think he may have improved to something like a .250 average with a .680-.700 OPS. Flaherty is a faker. Hopefully he can keep this up until Camargo comes back.

[msstate7]

Swanson .270/.340/.410

[Hulavol]

I think Tucker is for real, and I am a big believer in Dansby- he is too good of a smart baseball player to not eventually figure out the slider. I expect him to have a very big year, and a very, very bright future.

[Carp]

Dansby's approach has been night and day better than last year. He's taking the ball there other way and (so far) has been laying off the low and away breaking pitches. Really like what I see out of him so far. Hopefully he can maintain this.

[thewupk]

Could just be a fools hope but for me it's Swanson. Still it's only 5 games and it's hard to take away anything worthwhile. But he at least has a pedigree of he will hit some whereas the other two don't really.

[BeanieAntics]

Could just be a fools hope but for me it's Swanson. Still it's only 5 games and it's hard to take away anything worthwhile. But he at least has a pedigree of he will hit some whereas the other two don't really.

Tucker's pedigree certainly isn't anywhere close to Swanson's, but he was a 45-50ish grade prospect in the Astros system once upon a time. He was showing a bit of promise before injuries began to derail his career. He obviously won't be THIS good for long, but I think I could see him having some very good seasons. Maybe in the .260/.320/.450 range or something. Maybe he could even be a guy to crack an .800 OPS, but I think he would have to start getting on base more for that to happen.

But I like him. I think he has a chance to be pretty solid. Given his age and the fact that we control him for so long, I think I would rather see him get the starts over Nick once Acuna gets called up. I think a Freeman/Acuna/Tucker lineup would be far scarier than a Freeman/Acuna/Nick lineup.

Edit: And my reasoning for him over Nick is just the pure upside if he does turn out to be a solid ML hitter. If he somehow turns in to that .800+ OPS guy, we basically have our outfield figured out for a good while. We would have Inciarte, Tucker, and Acuna out there for very cheap. I say give him an extended look and see what you got. That is kinda what this season is all about anyway lol.

[mfree80]

Swanson for me as well. What a surprise that a smart athletic guy who was talented enough to be drafted 1-1 would get better from year to year... especially during his early career. I guess we shouldn't really be surprised.

[50PoundHead]

I fully expect Markakis to maintain his > 1.000 OPS.

Seriously, I would like to think Tucker can be a .750 OPS guy, but I will have to be shown that over a longer stretch. Flaherty is a utility guy and a pretty good one, but I don't see him continuing his 5-game numbers. Swanson's success will be determined by what he can do with pitches on the outer half. It was nice to see him go the other way last night.

[mfree80]

A side note on Tucker... we heard early reports on his defense being Matt Kemp bad.

Well, he is obviously not a burner out there, but he does not look lost at all. His defense appears to be acceptable in LF.

[CyYoung31]

I would love nothing more than for us to have found a diamond in the rough in Tucker, and it would be massive for this organization towards being competitive soon. But, I’m not holding my breath.

[GeorgiaGirl]

Preston Tucker's bat may be real. While not at his younger brother's abilities or hype, he was good in the minors himself. He's what I've wanted the Braves to be doing for a while, acquiring guys under the radar to see if there's something there.

[TheBravos]

Tucker for real until AA signs Harper next year whuuuuut?!?!?!

[WaitingFor2017]

Preston Tucker's bat may be real. While not at his younger brother's abilities or hype, he was good in the minors himself. He's what I've wanted the Braves to be doing for a while, acquiring guys under the radar to see if there's something there.

Yandy Diaz was another one I was hoping AA and company would inquire upon (if they didn't).

[msstate7]

Okay, it’s tucker (post facing MS)

[Enscheff]

Tucker is probably a legit MLB hitter whose value is capped at ~2 wins by his OF defense. He's probably what they were hoping MAdams was when they stuck him in LF. That is a very useful player while he's cheap.

The problem is, if the Braves fill LF and 3B with 1-2 win guys like Tucker and Riley, they won't be good enough to compete for anything.

[Super]

The problem is, if the Braves fill LF and 3B with 1-2 win guys like Tucker and Riley, they won't be good enough to compete for anything.

is this definitely true? (assuming riley is a 2-WAR player tops).

[salmagundy]

One who is definitely NOT for real ---

Perez. He doesn't frame, has poor mitt work-- turns to make back hand catch on pitches low to the left side, doesn't block pitches in dirt very well, and doesn't catch many pitches. He carries a toothpick to plate when it's his turn to hit.The only thing he's got going for him is throwing.

[thewupk]

One who is definitely NOT for real ---

Perez. He doesn't frame, has poor mitt work-- turns to make back hand catch on pitches low to the left side, doesn't block pitches in dirt very well, and doesn't catch many pitches. He carries a toothpick to plate when it's his turn to hit.The only thing he's got going for him is throwing.

As a fan of Scott Hall/Razor Ramon growing up I have no problem with this.

[Garmel]

As a fan of Scott Hall/Razor Ramon growing up I have no problem with this.

I wonder if Perez could outdrink Scott Hall. Heh heh.

[thethe]

Everyone and everything about the braves is real