Here is my detailed opinion on some of the guys who have been mentioned above as well as if I think they will be called up...
Pitchers:
1. Juan Jamie- Jamie's first stint with the big club was a successful one as he showed he could handle some late inning duties mainly by not walking guys (which has always been his problem in the minors and probably the reason he hadn't been promoted sooner), then in his second stint he showed why the Braves have been hesitant to promote him by walking guys and throwing multiple wild pitches. However, he's shown the capability to pitch late in games and with the uncertainty surrounding Shea Simmons he would provide late-inning depth for Walden and Carpenter. Verdict: Will receive September call-up
2. Gus Schlosser- Gus broke camp with the Braves and pitched well during his first few appearances then started to fade a little towards the end of his big league stint, while getting hit harder as he made more appearances. When he first got sent down to Gwinnett he was to be stretched out as a starter, after making 15 starts for Gwinnett he started to struggle late and was moved back to the bullpen. With David Hale proving to be a reliable long man and better options to serve as one inning type relievers, I don't foresee a need for Schlosser provided Hale stays healthy. However, if the Braves feel like they would like to have another long-man, Schlosser would be that guy. Verdict: Will NOT receive September call-up
3. Ian Thomas- Thomas like Schlosser broke camp with the Braves and pitched OK while up with the big club. Since being sent to Gwinnett Ian has bounced around from the rotation to the bullpen, where he was at before being placed on the DL. Even if healthy I don't foresee him being called up since we have Avilan and Russell currently up at the ML level and I personally believe Ryan Buchter or Chasen Shreve project better as a LOOGY's and would get the call over Thomas. Verdict- Will NOT receive September call-up
4. Chasen Shreve- Shreve got an unexpected call-up earlier in the summer to the big club to serve as a left-handed arm in the bullpen. While only appearing in 5 games, Shreve pitched fairly well (giving up 1 ER in 5 innings (1.80 E.R.A)) he has pitched extremely well at AA/AAA this year posting a 2.43 E.R.A between the two levels. I imagine the Braves will call-up a lefty to serve as a LOOGY (left-handed-one-out-guy) and it will come down to him and Ryan Buchter. Verdict: Will NOT receive September call-up
5. Ryan Buchter- Buchter has pitched primarily at AAA this year while also getting a small cup of coffee for a brief stint. While pitching to a 3.38 E.R.A out of the 'pen doesn't flash greatness at you, Buchter has been absolutely lights out against left-handed batters this year evident by his 0.73 ERA, and .205 .AVG. As pointed out above I believe the Braves will call up a lefty to just pitch to lefties and as Buchter's splits show he could very well be that guy. Verdict: Will receive September call-up
* I hope that Jonny Venters will have progressed enough for the Braves to get him into a few games late in September. If healthy, he could provide us with a very good left-handed arm who is capable of getting both left and right-handed hitter out.
Position Players:
1. Tyler Pastornicky: "Rev" has been up and down all year between the ML and AAA clubs. At the major league level Tyler has struggled this year hitting .200 with only 2 RBI's and no stolen bases while playing primarily second base. With the acquisition of Emilio Bonifacio and the emergence of both Tommy LaStella and Phil Gosselin to go along with Ramiro Pena, there does't seem to be a need for another middle infielder. Tyler is also currently on the DL which doesn't bode well for his already slim chances. Verdict: Will NOT receive September call-up
2. Christian Bethancourt- Atlanta's catcher of the future finally got an extended look this summer when Evan Gattis was placed on the DL for his back, and he didn't disappoint. It has been know for some time that Bethancourt was ML ready from a defensive standpoint, the question was "Is he going to hit enough" to stay. Well CB reminded us all of how strong he is defensively during his 2+ week stint but also showed that his offense might not be as far behind as many once thought as he hit .240 and drove in 3 runs in his 13 games. Currently on the DL with Gwinnett, if Bethancourt can prove he's healthy he pretty much a lock for a call-up and it wouldn't surprise me to see him get quite a few starts as well as entering the game late for Gattis for his superior defense if the Braves have a lead. Verdict: Will receive September call-up
3. Donnie Murphy- The Braves recently signed Murphy to a Minor League contract to provide some infield depth. Murphy has Major League experience with some coming this year, although he struggled with Texas before being DFA'ed. He's played primarily third base with Gwinnett, but can also play 2nd base, and SS. Again, as long as Chris Johnson, Ramiro Pena, Phil Gosselin, and Emilio Bonifacio remain healthy, I just don't see where Murphy fits in. Another major factor with Murphy is that the Braves would have to create a spot on their 40-man roster for him. Verdict: Will NOT receive September call-up
4. Todd Cunningham- Cunningham got his first call-up last year and while he only received 8 at-bats he at least showed he could be a quality 4th outfielder. Now that the Braves have cut ties with Jordan Schafer they don't currently have another true center fielder to back up B.J Upton. Bonifacio has been that guy since loosing Schafer, but he may be best served as a super-utility guy. Cunningham has had a pretty strong year at AAA (.283 AVG, 8 homers, and 16 SB's) and could become our 4th outfielder who is capable of playing all three outfield spots. Verdict: Will receive September call-up
5. Joey Terdoslavich- "Terdo" like many others made his big league debut last year when outfielder Reed Johnson got hurt. Serving primarily as a pinch hitter Terdoslavich also played LF, RF, and First base for the Braves last year. This year at Gwinnett he has continued to play all three positions which could help his cause in getting a September call-up. A switch hitter, Terdo struggled early on to find his power stroke but here recently he has found it and found it big by hitting 6 homers in the last 7 days. If he were to get called up, he could be someone Fredi G turns to late in games to pinch hit and provide some power (the Braves lack pop off the bench) as well giving us a viable option to spell Freddie Freeman a game. Verdict: Will receive September call-up
6. Jose Constanza- "Georgie" has been up and down over the past 4 seasons and while he has yet to be called up this year, he possess something no one can teach... speed. Constanza was put on last years postseason roster for that one reason, and while he didn't really get to show off that speed, he did come up with a bases loaded pinch hit single against the Dodgers in game 4 to give us the lead (well before tragedy struck and David Carpenter hung a breaking ball to Juan Uribe). Constanza is an outfielder who can play all three outfield positions, he is best suited to play LF or pinch run. He is having a very strong year at Gwinnett hitting .296 and stealing 30 bases and would give the Braves someone who can swipe a bag late in games if called up. Verdict: Will receive September call-up
