Really warming a bit to Scivicque - think he's worth keeping an eye on as another one of those "under-the-radar" guys that our scouts might've stolen.
Arizona Fall League Game Thread
- Thread starter rico43
- Start date
Really warming a bit to Scivicque - think he's worth keeping an eye on as another one of those "under-the-radar" guys that our scouts might've stolen.
Evan Phillips the only Brave named to the Fall Stars Game roster...
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/afl/club.jsp?team_id=1310
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/afl/club.jsp?team_id=1310
Julio3000
<B>A Chip Off the Old Rock</B>
I think the FO did a super job this season with those kind of acquisitions...getting low-profile guys with some upside in deals for 1-year veteran rentals. Morris, Demeritte, Scivicque, among others. The org isn't going to live or die on those deals, but I tip the old cap to the FO and scouts this year.
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
I've been high on him all year, but darn it's really easy to get really excited about D. Pete.
Demeritte has been labeled a boom or bust prospect, but honestly his floor is pretty high. Most power hitters who strike out a lot don't have the speed or plus defense he has. The strikeouts will always be an issue, but he's going to be a valuable player.
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
Yeah, he's awesome. I still can't believe we got him for almost nothing. lol
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
I am fine leaving him up the middle. If he breaks out, then having 3 middle infielders that are highly touted is a very, very good problem to have.
His defense is elite at 2B, but he has a relatively weak arm apparently. So a move to either 3B or the OF would likely be a bad move. If you're not going to play him at 2B, you probably need to trade him.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I like Peterson as well. Curious to see how he does in AAA. I'm wondering if they give him a few innings at 3B (and maybe 1B) in spring training. He killed LHP in AA and if he could play the corner IF spots, he could really be useful.
I drew the comp to Baez earlier, and think that they could eventually be pretty comparable if Demeritte continues to improve - would be a great platoon partner for Ruiz, could play 2B and Ozzie could slide over to give Swanson a day every so often, could fill in for Freeman on the rare occasion he takes a blow, and would be fine in LF.
I've also seen the comments about him not having the arm for SS/3B, but then I've also seen this:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/eyewitness_bat.php?reportid=365
Arm 55 Above-average arm strength, flashes plus velo at second; controls his body, moderate accuracy across his body, quality turns with a quick transfer
The same report grades his future hit tool at 30, and the author doubts he will ever bats in the .240s because of it.
So how valuable is an elite defender at 2B with poor contact skills, plus power and decent walk rate? Let's say a .235/.305/.450 line with 20+ HRs, to go along with above average base running contributions? Perhaps a ~2 WAR guy if it all pans out and he plays every day? Certainly NOT a guy to even consider playing instead of Albies who should be a regular 3-4 WAR guy.
To me his profile screams utility IFer. I have to imagine an elite defender at 2B with an arm that rates from below average to above average (so probably right around average) can handle SS/3B on a fill-in basis. He will probably be ready to slide into the util role as soon as Jace gets too expensive to warrant his rising salary.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
We debated Demeritte's contact rate difference from the regular season to the AFL and whether or not it means anything in the big picture, but I think the Braves maybe sent him there to see if he can successfully change his approach. Sample size is clearly too small to make a definitive assessment if changes--provided any were suggested--will work. He's only 22 so it's not like he's a finished product.
A feast-or-famine approach will probably net a guy a 30 hit tool.
A feast-or-famine approach will probably net a guy a 30 hit tool.
Oh I doubt there's any "maybe" about it. He is almost certainly there to work on contact issues that will be exposed in a horrific manner when he moves to AA next season.
If his K rate is truly down to the sub-25% range it changes his outlook tremendously. If he develops a 45 hit tool his MLB line improves to something like .250/.320/.460. Coupled with elite defense at 2B, that's a 3-4 WAR guy.
Unfortunately, the minors are full of toolsy guys that need to improve their hit tool. Maybe he will, but it's most likely that he won't. The Rangers know a thing or two about developing hitters, so it's safe to assume they didn't give Demeritte away if there was much of a chance he was going to improve the hit tool.
zbhargrove
Well-known member
I'll take a Granderson at second base!
zbhargrove
Well-known member
In his defense he's shown a lot more than those typical toolsy guys who don't make it too far
far. Just this year he's shot up some ranks and sounds very teachable and excited to learn.
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
Meh, I think Travis has a lot to prove. I love that we got him for a bunch of dumpster dive players, but as I look at his numbers, I don't see much 'in year' improvement on his K rate. If you are going to K at 30%, you better be off to a slow start and start to bring that down by year end.. Travis did not do that. He started at ~30% and finished that way. Even if you look at just his Braves numbers.
Now his AFL rate is like that. started at 32% K rate for 1st 7 games, his last 7 he is at 20%.. but that is 7 games so WAY to small to make assumptions.
I like having him and definitely routing for him.. the power separates him from the 'toolsy' guys littering the minors... I will follow him closely next year, because an elite defensive middle IF with a great bat is so valuable..
Also, why the heck is Moore not getting more playing time. Dude is raking and getting half the playing time..
Now his AFL rate is like that. started at 32% K rate for 1st 7 games, his last 7 he is at 20%.. but that is 7 games so WAY to small to make assumptions.
I like having him and definitely routing for him.. the power separates him from the 'toolsy' guys littering the minors... I will follow him closely next year, because an elite defensive middle IF with a great bat is so valuable..
Also, why the heck is Moore not getting more playing time. Dude is raking and getting half the playing time..
Russ2dollas
10 yr, $185 million Extension
TD has killed LH pitching. He could be a partner for Ruiz. I don't know the arm strength but if he can catch the ball then I think it's worth a shot. I'll give up the play falling out of bounds if he's solid over there, can pick it, and can kill LH.
He's athletic enough that you might be able to put him in at 2B, LF, 3B vs LH as a utility guy.
The K rate has to come down. But he's still relatively young. Bat speed is crazy.....the anti Riley.
Peterson has me excited as a potential RF as soon as next year. I know he's never played RF but every article I see seems to think he hits enough to leave replacement level in the dust. I think he can play as well as gold glove finalist Markakis. Drafted as a 3B I assume he has a better arm than Markakis.
He's athletic enough that you might be able to put him in at 2B, LF, 3B vs LH as a utility guy.
The K rate has to come down. But he's still relatively young. Bat speed is crazy.....the anti Riley.
Peterson has me excited as a potential RF as soon as next year. I know he's never played RF but every article I see seems to think he hits enough to leave replacement level in the dust. I think he can play as well as gold glove finalist Markakis. Drafted as a 3B I assume he has a better arm than Markakis.