3/21 GDT: ATLANTA vs PITTSBURGH, 1:10

Chacin looked really good again. I think he's going to be the steal of the off season and I wouldn't be surprised if he's a Brave for a while. I don't think there's much chance, but I'm also really rooting for Brignac... when he was coming up as a prospect, he was always one of my favorites. I have a ton of his rookie cards because I thought he'd be great. Its nice to see him having a real solid spring.

Think I'd rather see Brignac than Beckham, but I think Beckham has the MLB deal...
 
Astudillo just continues to hit, he's up to .429 with a 1.000 OPS this ST. If he can catch okay he may have a future with us as at least a part-time back-up.
 
nsacpi said:
He does have stud in his name. That's gotta count for something.
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He is literally a one tool player. He doesn't have speed/defense/power/walk/or an arm. He will never amount to anything but org depth. Major league pitching would expose him eventually. He is a fun story with his ability to make contact. But that is really all he has to offer.
 
zbhargrove said:
Chacin looked really good again. I think he's going to be the steal of the off season and I wouldn't be surprised if he's a Brave for a while. I don't think there's much chance, but I'm also really rooting for Brignac... when he was coming up as a prospect, he was always one of my favorites. I have a ton of his rookie cards because I thought he'd be great. Its nice to see him having a real solid spring.

Think I'd rather see Brignac than Beckham, but I think Beckham has the MLB deal...
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Me, too. Maybe Chacin would be interested in a modest two year deal with an option. Maybe one in ten guys is successful in Colorado and he did it for three years. He looks healthy. So we have reason to believe he could well be the steal of the offseason.
 
Braves1976 said:
Astudillo just continues to hit, he's up to .429 with a 1.000 OPS this ST. If he can catch okay he may have a future with us as at least a part-time back-up.
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Sure, why not?

Is he one of the guys we got from COL?

Edit: Never mind, we got him from PHI. Holy crap, he's hit at every level! .318 career average in the minors. How's his defense?
 
GovClintonTyree said:
Sure, why not?

Is he one of the guys we got from COL?

Edit: Never mind, we got him from PHI. Holy crap, he's hit at every level! .318 career average in the minors. How's his defense?
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http://m.mlb.com/news/article/147065708/phillies-prospect-willians-astudillo-on-rise

This piece from last year includes quotes from his manager last year covering that question. Here's some of what he says:
"You're talking about one of the more interesting hitters, probably, in all of the Minor Leagues," Threshers manager Greg Legg said. "He barrels up balls over and over again. He does have a lot of early contact, but he also gets a lot of two-strike hits. "He has the ability to handle the bat and hit it wherever he wants. The bat control that he has and the eye-hand coordination is off the charts. He manipulates the ball. I never played back in the Ty Cobb era, but I can only imagine those are the types of things he was able to do."

"He can catch," Legg said. "His hands are soft. He blocks balls and he has a feel for calling games."
"Everybody in baseball is looking for a guy who has a cannon for an arm and is picking everybody off and you have no chance to run. He doesn't do that. But the two years I've had him, whenever something's been needed to be addressed, if he decides he wants to do it, he's capable of doing it. So in my mind, he's capable of improving his arm strength and his times to second. He's really caught well in the second half when we needed him to."

The latter quote covers the catching question, time will tell how the Braves grade him in that regard and if his bat will be good enough to seriously consider him.
 
Braves1976 said:
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/147065708/phillies-prospect-willians-astudillo-on-rise

This piece from last year includes quotes from his manager last year covering that question. Here's some of what he says:

"You're talking about one of the more interesting hitters, probably, in all of the Minor Leagues," Threshers manager Greg Legg said. "He barrels up balls over and over again. He does have a lot of early contact, but he also gets a lot of two-strike hits. "He has the ability to handle the bat and hit it wherever he wants. The bat control that he has and the eye-hand coordination is off the charts. He manipulates the ball. I never played back in the Ty Cobb era, but I can only imagine those are the types of things he was able to do."

"He can catch," Legg said. "His hands are soft. He blocks balls and he has a feel for calling games."

"Everybody in baseball is looking for a guy who has a cannon for an arm and is picking everybody off and you have no chance to run. He doesn't do that. But the two years I've had him, whenever something's been needed to be addressed, if he decides he wants to do it, he's capable of doing it. So in my mind, he's capable of improving his arm strength and his times to second. He's really caught well in the second half when we needed him to."

The latter quote covers the catching question, time will tell how the Braves grade him in that regard and if his bat will be good enough to seriously consider him.
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Thanks for that. Interesting.

Sounds like a handy guy to have around. Surprised the Phillies let him go.
 
GovClintonTyree said:
Thanks for that. Interesting.

Sounds like a handy guy to have around. Surprised the Phillies let him go.
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Guys. Seriously. He has been in the minors for 6 years and never played higher than A+. There is a reason. The phils decided not to include him on their 40 man and since he was six years he could declare free agency. The Braves will face a similar situation at the end of the year. And like the phils he will not be on the 40 man roster. I am all about getting excited about someone. But he is not on my radar at all. i will pull for him since he is a brave. But that manager throwing Ty Cobb references. WOW.
 
AA is the level where guys like Astudillo get their real test. If he keeps hitting at that level I could see us putting him on the 40 man roster. He could serve the role that Lavarnway is doing this year. Third catcher in waiting in AAA. Those kinds of players ended up getting called up quite a bit. Remember Corky Miller? With some luck he could end up being more of a Brayan Pena.
 
bravesfanMatt said:
Guys. Seriously. He has been in the minors for 6 years and never played higher than A+. There is a reason. The phils decided not to include him on their 40 man and since he was six years he could declare free agency. The Braves will face a similar situation at the end of the year. And like the phils he will not be on the 40 man roster. I am all about getting excited about someone. But he is not on my radar at all. i will pull for him since he is a brave. But that manager throwing Ty Cobb references. WOW.
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So since he's not on YOUR radar, it's not OK for someone else to find him "interesting" and want to find out more about his story? Seriously?

Pretty funny. Maybe you weren't around a few years ago when a guy literally from out of nowhere with a really good bat and interesting background and story started to attract attention before heading south to play winter ball. Several people continued following him - as much for his story as anything else - as he began to hit more and more and eventually completely took over Braves' Nation.

That guy? Evan Gattis.

Before you (or certain others) go nuts trying to break down all the reasons Astudillo isn't El Oso Blanco, save your breath - we all understand. The thing is, many of those who will want to do that are the exact same ones who continuously doubted and shouted down Gattis every time his name was mentioned here. Willans is a neat story the same way Evan was, so why be the one who wants to rain on his parade if someone else gets a little excited about another guy coming out of nowhere to possibly become another great story? Many of those people are still burping crow to this day (not to mention whining about the fact that he was traded). It's late March, it's going to be another LONG year, and there's little else to get truly excited about until the minor league games start - what's the big deal???
 
clvclv said:
So since he's not on YOUR radar, it's not OK for someone else to find him "interesting" and want to find out more about his story? Seriously?

Pretty funny. Maybe you weren't around a few years ago when a guy literally from out of nowhere with a really good bat and interesting background and story started to attract attention before heading south to play winter ball. Several people continued following him - as much for his story as anything else - as he began to hit more and more and eventually completely took over Braves' Nation.

That guy? Evan Gattis.

Before you (or certain others) go nuts trying to break down all the reasons Astudillo isn't El Oso Blanco, save your breath - we all understand. The thing is, many of those who will want to do that are the exact same ones who continuously doubted and shouted down Gattis every time his name was mentioned here. Willans is a neat story the same way Evan was, so why be the one who wants to rain on his parade if someone else gets a little excited about another guy coming out of nowhere to possibly become another great story? Many of those people are still burping crow to this day (not to mention whining about the fact that he was traded). It's late March, it's going to be another LONG year, and there's little else to get truly excited about until the minor league games start - what's the big deal???
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Chill the **** out.
 
clvclv said:
So since he's not on YOUR radar, it's not OK for someone else to find him "interesting" and want to find out more about his story? Seriously?

Pretty funny. Maybe you weren't around a few years ago when a guy literally from out of nowhere with a really good bat and interesting background and story started to attract attention before heading south to play winter ball. Several people continued following him - as much for his story as anything else - as he began to hit more and more and eventually completely took over Braves' Nation.

That guy? Evan Gattis.

Before you (or certain others) go nuts trying to break down all the reasons Astudillo isn't El Oso Blanco, save your breath - we all understand. The thing is, many of those who will want to do that are the exact same ones who continuously doubted and shouted down Gattis every time his name was mentioned here. Willans is a neat story the same way Evan was, so why be the one who wants to rain on his parade if someone else gets a little excited about another guy coming out of nowhere to possibly become another great story? Many of those people are still burping crow to this day (not to mention whining about the fact that he was traded). It's late March, it's going to be another LONG year, and there's little else to get truly excited about until the minor league games start - what's the big deal???
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I have no problem with guys being excited about X player. Also, there are other interesting articles on this guy about his ability to NOT strike out. I don't remember because it has been months.. but it is something ridiculous how low his K are per plate appearance.. My only issue with him is he offers nothing else.. no power/speed/defense.. hmm.. he threw out 40% last year in the minors.. color me surprised. 16 of 40 runners... also played in just about every position..but seems to be typical 1B/C now.. And where the heck did he go in 2013.. In 2012 he threw out 47%.. gone in 2013.. then only threw out 14% in 2014 before improving in 2015 as I already mentioned..

I PERSONALLY just think there are many other guys that could be interesting to watch.. like the Luis Valenzuela kid we got for Gomes.. hit .365 last year.
 
bravesfanMatt said:
I have no problem with guys being excited about X player. Also, there are other interesting articles on this guy about his ability to NOT strike out. I don't remember because it has been months.. but it is something ridiculous how low his K are per plate appearance.. My only issue with him is he offers nothing else.. no power/speed/defense.. hmm.. he threw out 40% last year in the minors.. color me surprised. 16 of 40 runners... also played in just about every position..but seems to be typical 1B/C now.. And where the heck did he go in 2013.. In 2012 he threw out 47%.. gone in 2013.. then only threw out 14% in 2014 before improving in 2015 as I already mentioned..

I PERSONALLY just think there are many other guys that could be interesting to watch.. like the Luis Valenzuela kid we got for Gomes.. hit .365 last year.
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At 5'10" and 150 pounds soaking wet he has about the same one tool skill set. Not likely to gain any power with that frame and hasn't even shown much speed. Granted he's younger... That's about the only advantage. They both play premium positions. I think they're both interesting but not much difference.
 
zbhargrove said:
At 5'10" and 150 pounds soaking wet he has about the same one took skill set. Not likely to gain any power with that frame and hasn't even shown much speed. Granted he's younger... That's about the only advantage. They both play premium positions. I think they're both interesting but not much difference.
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agreed, however.. his defense is excellent and he has speed, just hasn't translated to Stolen bases. But I might have discounted aSTUDillo defense. I read a few articles that touted his hitting and low K %.. but said he is a man without a position.. But stats say he can hold his own at Catcher or 1B. But in the long run... I am not holding my breath on either. There is a catcher named Moralse in our system, that I am also excited about. Kid does not K either.. but he can walk and does hit for power. check him out... he is only in RK ball though..
 
bravesfanMatt said:
agreed, however.. his defense is excellent and he has speed, just hasn't translated to Stolen bases. But I might have discounted aSTUDillo defense. I read a few articles that touted his hitting and low K %.. but said he is a man without a position.. But stats say he can hold his own at Catcher or 1B. But in the long run... I am not holding my breath on either. There is a catcher named Moralse in our system, that I am also excited about. Kid does not K either.. but he can walk and does hit for power. check him out... he is only in RK ball though..
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I certainly don't think he's our future catcher but he could end up having some value if he becomes a Brayan Pena. I'm personally most excited about the Venezuelan kid we are rumored to be signing but obviously he's a ways out. Still think our C next year is traded for or signed.
 
zbhargrove said:
I certainly don't think he's our future catcher but he could end up having some value if he becomes a Brayan Pena. I'm personally most excited about the Venezuelan kid we are rumored to be signing but obviously he's a ways out. Still think our C next year is traded for or signed.
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who knows.. but he put up great numbers offensively and defensively in rookie ball.. he is on my radar this year since that is a position of need. We also have Herbert who was Allard's battery mate... I am interested in how he comes back this year.
 
bravesfanMatt said:
Guys. Seriously. He has been in the minors for 6 years and never played higher than A+. There is a reason. The phils decided not to include him on their 40 man and since he was six years he could declare free agency. The Braves will face a similar situation at the end of the year. And like the phils he will not be on the 40 man roster. I am all about getting excited about someone. But he is not on my radar at all. i will pull for him since he is a brave. But that manager throwing Ty Cobb references. WOW.
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The tool he has is the hardest thing to do in sports - hit a baseball. The manager says Ty Cobb, which suggests to me that he's at least a little bit unique. Wade Boggs was a "one tool player" who made himself into a decent third baseman.

Honestly, with the team we're about to roll out there, who the **** should we get excited about? I just thought he sounded interesting, and his minor league numbers border on bizarre.

If he was that little to start with, maybe his man muscles are taking a while to come in.
 
GovClintonTyree said:
The tool he has is the hardest thing to do in sports - hit a baseball. The manager says Ty Cobb, which suggests to me that he's at least a little bit unique. Wade Boggs was a "one tool player" who made himself into a decent third baseman.

Honestly, with the team we're about to roll out there, who the **** should we get excited about? I just thought he sounded interesting, and his minor league numbers border on bizarre.

If he was that little to start with, maybe his man muscles are taking a while to come in.
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Guys.. ease up. I have retracted my statement. I even said his defense makes him intriguing at least. It will be interesting to see if the Braves add him to the 40 man roster at the end of the year. or if he even accepts a minor league assignment. Can't he opt out of a minor league deal?
 
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