The "Second Bench" in AAA

So wisler hasn't pitched since late oct after dominating his two starts in mexico. Braves super busy with minor moves. Is there something bigger in the works here.

Not sure how these moves could signal something larger in the works, as most of these are your typical off-season depth signings. Freeman and Walsh could potentially crack the opening day roster.
 
Our AAA squad is starting to take form

Rotation
Wisler
Blair
Newcomb
Sims
De La Cruz

I could still see a possible move or two made where we even start Folty in AAA and move Sims. I've liked Tyson Ross and Alex Cobb since the start of the offseason. De La Cruz will probably never pitch in ATL this season. The kids control when they make it to ATL. I'm sure Coppy will be fielding offers starting June 15th on Colon/Dickey and even before on Garcia if they prove worthy to make the jump.

Lineup
Mallex-CF
Albies-2B
Peterson-RF
Fuenmayor-1B
Ruiz-3B
Walsh/Rojas Jr-LF
Camargo-SS
Recker/Tuffy- C

I could see any of these guys in ATL this year outside of Fuenmayor and Rojas Jr.

Pen
Simmons
Minter
Dirks
Morris
Jackson
Hursh
Marksberry

That's not a bad AAA pen, but we could still bring in some more competition from the left side and upgrade Marksberry. Sam Freeman is out of options so he may get every shot to be the 2nd lefty in the major league pen if Paco isn't ready. I could see Hursh being traded as well and upgraded with someone who has a little more upside and bigger arm.
 
If I had to guess, I would say Mallex will be in the majors on Opening Day, and Albies could be up as soon as he's healthy. They may let him start there to rehab for a bit, but I doubt they see him as needing any more seasoning.
 
If I had to guess, I would say Mallex will be in the majors on Opening Day, and Albies could be up as soon as he's healthy. They may let him start there to rehab for a bit, but I doubt they see him as needing any more seasoning.

Why would we play Albies early?

Albies is coming off an injury. He's 19-20. We would start his clock and put him on a crowded 40 man. We have Rodriquez and Jace at 2B. He struggled in AAA last year. I think Albies should spend at least 1/2 of the season in the minors before coming up.

We can sell the new stadium, FA oldie pitchers, FF and Swanson for the first half of the year.
 
If I had to guess, I would say Mallex will be in the majors on Opening Day, and Albies could be up as soon as he's healthy. They may let him start there to rehab for a bit, but I doubt they see him as needing any more seasoning.

I would not mind having Mallex on the opening day roster, but with him missing as much time as he did and then not having his swing in Winter ball he may need to start out there to get regular playing time. Later he could be the defensive replacement/pinch runner guy who spot starts on day games after a night game.
 
Yeah, Mallex playing every day in Gwinnett seems like a much better idea than having him in Atlanta as the fourth outfielder.
 
Why would we play Albies early?

Albies is coming off an injury. He's 19-20. We would start his clock and put him on a crowded 40 man. We have Rodriquez and Jace at 2B. He struggled in AAA last year. I think Albies should spend at least 1/2 of the season in the minors before coming up.

We can sell the new stadium, FA oldie pitchers, FF and Swanson for the first half of the year.

I said as soon as he's healthy, I have no idea when that will be. I agree we probably won't start his clock early, but I definitely don't see him staying down for half the year. I don't care that much about his AAA struggles, it was likely just a slump. If you can hit AA pitching that well, you can probably hit MLB pitching well enough.
 
I said as soon as he's healthy, I have no idea when that will be. I agree we probably won't start his clock early, but I definitely don't see him staying down for half the year. I don't care that much about his AAA struggles, it was likely just a slump. If you can hit AA pitching that well, you can probably hit MLB pitching well enough.

Braves have no incentive at all to start Albies clock early. They've have acquired the flexibility to wait. Plus Albies is young, scuffled at AAA, coming off injury. He needs more time and FO said as much before he was hurt.
 
Yeah, Mallex playing every day in Gwinnett seems like a much better idea than having him in Atlanta as the fourth outfielder.

I think that's wise.

I also have an inkling that Mallex could develop some power. I wouldn't mind seeing him down for a half a year to consolidate his gains a bit.
 
Why would we play Albies early?

Albies is coming off an injury. He's 19-20. We would start his clock and put him on a crowded 40 man. We have Rodriquez and Jace at 2B. He struggled in AAA last year. I think Albies should spend at least 1/2 of the season in the minors before coming up.

We can sell the new stadium, FA oldie pitchers, FF and Swanson for the first half of the year.

Let Albies push his way in.
 
Braves have no incentive at all to start Albies clock early. They've have acquired the flexibility to wait. Plus Albies is young, scuffled at AAA, coming off injury. He needs more time and FO said as much before he was hurt.

Yeah, I said they likely won't. That doesn't mean he'll be down half the year.
 
I think we should take it real slow with Albies. I wouldn't even start playing him for a month into the season. Let him stay behind in Extended so he can ensure he is all healed up in a controlled environment.

I don't think we will need Albies in 2017 but we will need him in 2018.
 
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