Spring Training Gamethread/Discussion

NinersSBChamps said:
Schafer is a good guy to have on the bench. Speed, base running, and solid defense in the outfield.
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He is overrated defensively, though he is someone that can play every outfield spot well enough. Plus he does steal bases well too. I just don't think much of his bat, he isn't terrible if used only vs righties though. At least he wasn't the first half of last year (hopefully he can repeat that first half for a full season in 2014).
 
Braves1976 said:
Kevin McAlpin ‏@KevinMcAlpin 3m

Gavin Floyd will throw two innings in a minor league game on Friday; Mike Minor on Saturday. #Braves

@mlbbowman Barring any setbacks, Floyd and Minor could both join Atlanta's rotation at some point during the week of April 20-26
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That's better than what they've been saying, Floyd especially.
 
If you look at the backup centerfielders around MLB there isn't much to choose from. Schafer is fine for what he is.
 
Nice to see some of the bats coming around. Normally I say spring training is too long, but this year it may be just the thing. Can't wait for opening day!
 
nsacpi said:
If you look at the backup centerfielders around MLB there isn't much to choose from. Schafer is fine for what he is.
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He is okay, but I am not even sure Constanza couldn't do better if given a shot (just speaking of 4th outfielder types). Schafer had his best season defensively last year, but keep in mind he still sports a -21 DRS and last year was the only season he showed decent range. He is fast but doesn't always read the ball off the bat well. He also has a good arm. For comparison, Constanza has a +9 DRS in the Majors and has shown good range every year. He has even improved in centerfield from what I have seen in the minors and small sample in the Majors (-1 DRS first season in center but fine since then). I like Constanza's bat better than Schafer too (esp. come playoff time).

That said, I know 50 will hate me praising Constanza as will others. But I actually like him as a 4th outfielder but I value defense more than most around here. I also am a believer in Constanza being clutch in big games (playoffs).
 
nsacpi said:
If you look at the backup centerfielders around MLB there isn't much to choose from. Schafer is fine for what he is.
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Schafer is OK. But we have guys who're potentially better options in Cunningham, Constanza, or Terds/Doumit who can play LF/RF and shift around Justin and/or Jason.
 
NinersSBChamps said:
Doumit is terrible in outfield. He is like Gattis out there.
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Doumit is terrible everywhere defensively, better having him in the outfield than catching. Though I won't like seeing him play defensively anywhere he plays. Of course, we got Doumit for his bat and ability to catch in an emergency (making Gattis available to pinch hit when he isn't starting).
 
Speaking of Doumit, I'd hope we use him more in left than right field. He only had a -1 DRS in 135.1 innings in left in 2012. So maybe he won't be as terrible defensively there, we know he will be terrible in right field.
 
NinersSBChamps said:
Was trying to not be negative.
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I don't consider it being negative just pointing out facts about a player. I may point out Doumit's bad defense but I still liked the pick-up because of his potential with the bat. I also like that having him makes Gattis available to pinch hit on his off days too. Sometimes the good outweighs the bad. CJ's defense didn't hurt as much last year because Simmons picked him up regularly while CJ had a career year at the plate. That's just an example of how offense can make up for what a player lacks on defense. But in CJ's case it also helps a lot having the best shortstop in the game playing next to him.
 
BTW, did y'all notice Pastornicky was playing centerfield in the 9th and made the final catch for the final out? I'd like to see him more out there because it will make him more of value to play centerfield along with second base. I saw him play a little centerfield last year in AAA and in that game he made a nice running catch. It is also good to see that he is expected to make the team. Further, I was afraid they'd add Greene to the 40-man and keep him at one point. I don't like Greene at all, he's bat at the plate, field and even a bad baserunner. He's also shown all of that lately and I think that is partly why they're fast tracking Pastornicky now.
 
This is interesting (and I am not sure what to make of it if anything):

David O'Brien ‏@ajcbraves
#Braves Fredi G said wasn't ready to name rest of rotation or commit to Garcia. Not sure why, unless holding out case get another pitcher

Mark Bowman ‏@mlbbowman
Asked if we can assume Garcia will be in the rotation, Fredi G. said, "I wouldn't assume anything...His performance today was good though."
 
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