They probably pump an amount of cash into international/amateur scouting like they do on creaky veterans.
Keith Law ranks Braves system #1 in midseason update
- Thread starter praeceps93
- Start date
They probably pump an amount of cash into international/amateur scouting like they do on creaky veterans.
Was just about to say the same thing. All great minds...
Russ2dollas
10 yr, $185 million Extension
If there were message boards when Glavine and Smotlz were young we'd here this same stuff from Millwood.
Glavine only throws 85 and he's worse in his second year than his first.
Glavine only throws 85 and he's worse in his second year than his first.
Southcack77
Well-known member
Don't understand why Peterson gets so many pans. He's been just fine and I think he still profiles as a potential starting of.
Tapate50
Well-known member
I was just heading over to see if anyone had seen an updated scouting report on him... I mentioned early in the season that the power wasn't showing, but since I posted that he really has had a nice season. Couple of posters mentioned that he barrels up a ton, and doesn't look overmatched.
Hitting .341 over his last 10 and slugging and avg is way up this year. His brother DJ was a bit of a late bloomer as well I believe.
I'm holding out hope he can flirt with a 780+ OPS at the ML level.
When you have more money to spend than most teams you tend to accumulate more big contracts, and creaky veterans are more likely to be the players with big contracts.
That and they have a good scouting department.
Russ2dollas
10 yr, $185 million Extension
I'd trade everyone in Carolina or above for Moncada and Benentendi (not even sure I'm spelling his name right).
Edit...not including swanson and Albies b/c I'm considering them on the MLB team already. But Newcombe could go for those guys.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I think I posted yesterday or the day before that Dustin Peterson is fifth in the Southern League in XBHs and tied for third in doubles. Again, he's 21 and making good contact. I think that's a solid base from which he can develop more HR power. I think his development arc puts him in the major leagues, but I don't know what that means in terms of his performance once he gets there. He's been killing LHP this year, but he didn't in past seasons, so that may be an aberration. I think the issue may be that he doesn't scream "tools," and there will always be a premium on athleticism. If he finishes strong in Mississippi, I could see him playing in the Arizona Fall League. I think that would give us an even better picture of what his capabilities might be. If the Braves had him play a little 3B over the winter (his original position in the Padres' system), that versatility would help him greatly.
Horsehide Harry
<B>Mr. Free Trade</B>
Fair or not, when I think of Peterson, I think of Brian Hunter, a decent role player who may make a significant contribution along the way, but not someone to build around. I hope he proves me wrong.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
And that might not be a bad comparison. There's a place for players like that, especially in platoon situations. Peterson doesn't exude star quality and I think that's why he is downplayed a bit as a prospect. But if he can develop into a solid second-tier guy, that's a plus, especially in the options are guys in the Francoeur mold.
There are definitely places for players like that, unfortunately it's just not a great fit for us. I don't think it's as much Dustin is getting dissed, he's got a decent chance to be a major leaguer, he's just highly unlikely to be an impact bat. A .750-.780ish is not going to get it done for us in LF given our team makeup. He's the type of player that would fit in fine if we had power in RF and at 3B (or C), but we don't unfortunately. If we have Dustin and Ruiz in our lineup along with Albies and Swanson we are probably looking at a bottom 5-7 offense in baseball, and that's not really getting us anywhere anytime soon.
Sure he's an upgrade over what we have now, but that's not saying a ton.
Dustin Peterson is, at best, probably just like the other Peterson, Jace. A semi-useful fill in player on an already good team while he is cheap. He is more likely to be another Terdo. He is not someone to build around. He is not someone that will make a bad team good. He is not someone to pencil in the lineup for the next 5 years. The only two position players who currently fit the description of "difference makers" are Albies and Swanson.
Folks need to get real. If the plan is "Dustin Peterson in LF", the Braves are in serious trouble. If the plan is "wait and see how Dustin Peterson turns out", the Braves are in serious trouble. The Braves need to add a RHed OFer because that player is currently not in the organization.
I really don't like declaring what guys ceiling is while they are in the minors, a ways away from Atlanta. They may turn out good, they may be busts, but I vote we let them keep trying to get better and not dismiss them yet. A lot of players have looked like middling contributors and figured it out with a little maturity. Statements like "A team with so and so on will never be a winner." really sells the organization, the coaches, and young players short. Some will not make it, and you guys will crow about being right all along... but some will make it and I hope you guys are ready to eat crow when they do. And no, I am not predicting which will and won't. That's why we have a minor league system. Let em keep working and getting better.
It's selling the team short to think that adding two solid bats and two league average bats to the worst offense in baseball won't make us a good offense? I'd say it's more common sense. Sure Ruiz and Peterson could potentially turn into .850+ OPS guys that make our offense hum, but the odds are really low of that happening when they aren't hitting for great power or average at AA/AAA. I'll be more than happy to eat crow if they do because that means we'll have an offense in the top half of baseball, but unfortunately I don't see a crow dinner coming on those two.
Horsehide Harry
<B>Mr. Free Trade</B>
I think the easy approach is always the Ostrich defense -hide your head and if you can't see it, it doesn't exist and maybe things will work out all right. Sometimes it does. Sometimes the Lion has big drumsticks.
The "we need a RH impact bat, Peterson is a RH bat therefore he will have an impact" approach may work, but probably won't and should play little part in team creation or long range plans.
Russ2dollas
10 yr, $185 million Extension
Probably right.
But it's not crazy for both guys to make a leap. Both were high picks. Both guys are pretty young for their levels. Power is often the last tool to come.
If I had to bet I'd say Peterson is more likely to be Matt Diaz than anything else. But Diaz was a good player with a niche. Maybe we can find the guy that crushes RH and makes the perfect platoon.
Ruiz especially is one year into a major re-do on his body per all reports. If he does the same thing in the offseason he could be adding strength vs shedding weight. In years 21-23 he could take a big power bump. I'm not betting on it, but it's not crazy.
Nobody is suggesting the Braves get rid of Dustin Peterson. I am saying it would be unwise to plan around him ever being a significant contributor. For every mediocre prospect that follows Bautista's career arc, there are 100 that follow Terdo's career arc. Top players were almost always top prospects.
Obviously the Braves should let guys like Ruiz and Peterson continue to get better. However, they should not be part of "the vision" for the next Braves contender.
I don't think ANYBODY is really 'planning a team around Peterson' but I'm also not going to say he absolutely cannot be a productive LF and a good piece on a solid team.
Millwood1Hitter
Anytime Now Frankie...
Peterson is a piece of garbage that needs to be traded now while his value is high, but knowing this organization they will rush him and proclaim him the savior, only to watch him be the fraud that he is.