Spring Training Gamethread/Discussion

[Dalyn]

Last year when the Braves signed him my exact words were "If this move were happening 5 years ago I would be thrilled. But now, not so much. I hope we don't end up having to see him in the majors." But then he went out and did exactly what Ben Sheets did for the Braves in 2012, give us great innings and surprise everyone. Then he did it in the playoffs. Went toe to toe with Clayton Kershaw and put the Braves in position to win the game. He has earned the benefit of the doubt and a chance for this year.

He didn't go toe-to-toe with Kershaw. Kershaw, on short rest, pitched WAY better than Garcia. His defense failed him. Garcia Sosa'd through his six innings--and props to him for that, but he didn't go toe-to-toe.

 

[thethe]

Ultimately, if Garcia is our fifth starter it will be based on the scouts opinions of what they are seeing. Since I trust the Braves I will be happy with the decision that they make. With so many options behind Garcia thats the only sensible way to do it.

 

[Heyward]

Hursh with a solid first appearance. This guy could be the new Alex Wood and force his way onto the roster before you know it.

Was gonna say Kimbrel's replacement but yeah.

Dumb me.

 

[Dalyn]

I have a very different opinion about sample size than you do.

Most people do.

 

[AUTiger7222]

I have a very different opinion about sample size than you do.

Well obviously Garcia would still have to pitch well this spring to get that spot but if he does, which so far he has, then yes he deserves it.

 

[thethe]

He didn't go toe-to-toe with Kershaw. Kershaw, on short rest, pitched WAY better than Garcia. His defense failed him. Garcia Sosa'd through his six innings--and props to him for that, but he didn't go toe-to-toe.

With all due respect to Garcia. He did better than a Sosa-esque performance.

 

[AUTiger7222]

Was gonna say Kimbrel's replacement but yeah.

Dumb me.

The Braves have had him starting but many baseball people said when he was drafted that he would eventually be Kimbrel's replacement. Of course that all changed when Kimbrel got extended.

 

[gilesfan]

Well obviously Garcia would still have to pitch well this spring to get that spot but if he does, which so far he has, then yes he deserves it.

So on top of the 5 starts, you like to look at spring training numbers as well?

 

[nsacpi]

Yes I do. Just like I believe the 2 starts Hale had in September earned him at least a bullpen spot this year.

How about the pinch hit Constanza got against the Dodgers? How much does that get him?

 

[AUTiger7222]

He didn't go toe-to-toe with Kershaw. Kershaw, on short rest, pitched WAY better than Garcia. His defense failed him. Garcia Sosa'd through his six innings--and props to him for that, but he didn't go toe-to-toe.

Where the Braves in position to win that game? Yes or no? Would Garcia have not been credited with the win and Kershaw with the loss? Yes or no? Did Garcia pitch a hell of a game to accomplish that? Yes or no?

 

[nsacpi]

Since I trust the Braves I will be happy with the decision that they make.

Sometimes they are wrong and the unwashed masses are right. See Proctor, Scott.

 

[gilesfan]

With all due respect to Garcia. He did better than a Sosa-esque performance.

His ability to limit his homers to solo shots and spread out the 10 baserunners over 6 innings is uncanny.

 

[AUTiger7222]

So on top of the 5 starts, you like to look at spring training numbers as well?

The numbers, no, The performance, yes.

 

[gilesfan]

Where the Braves in position to win that game? Yes or no? Would Garcia have not been credited with the win and Kershaw with the loss? Yes or no? Did Garcia pitch a hell of a game to accomplish that? Yes or no?

Yes
Yes
No

 

[AUTiger7222]

How about the pinch hit Constanza got against the Dodgers? How much does that get him?

Really? That's your argument against Garcia? Constanza isn't better than Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton. There's no place for him to play. Garcia is only even being talked about because Gavin Floyd isn't healthy at the start of the season. If Floyd were healthy and ready to go no one would be talking about Garcia because our rotation would be Medlen, Minor, Teheran, Beachy and Floyd with no room for Garcia.

 

[nsacpi]

Where the Braves in position to win that game? Yes or no? Would Garcia have not been credited with the win and Kershaw with the loss? Yes or no? Did Garcia pitch a hell of a game to accomplish that? Yes or no?

6.0 8 2 2 2 2 6

Garcia's pitching line against the Dodgers. Has assumed rather legendary proportions.

 

[thethe]

His ability to limit his homers to solo shots and spread out the 10 baserunners over 6 innings is uncanny.

You don't think a veteran pitcher is more aggressive with runners not on base?

 

[AUTiger7222]

Yes
Yes
No

So Garcia didn't pitch a hell of a game? Garcia just dumb lucked his way through 6 innings and giving up just 2 runs against the Dodgers?

 

[AUTiger7222]

6.0 8 2 2 2 2 6

Garcia's pitching line against the Dodgers. Has assumed rather legendary proportions.

Considering what that same Dodgers team did to Kris Medlen and Julio Teheran? Yeah!

 

[nsacpi]

Constanza isn't better than Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton. There's no place for him to play.

Exactly. And we have Medlen, Minor, Beachy, Teheran and Wood all better than Garcia. Hale too imo though that could be reasonably disputed. And Floyd when he gets back.

At this point I would take Garcia over Varvaro as our long man in the pen. But I don't think he belongs in our rotation. There really is no case for it. If we want to limit Wood's innings we can do so when Floyd comes back.