BravesBuzz

Braves: Prospect #7: Christian Bethancourt

2009-12-24T19:30:00.003-05:00

7. Christian Bethancourt, C (B/T: R/R Born: 9/2/91 Ht: 6'2 Wt: 175)
2009 (Rk): 32 G, 9 2B, 2 HR, 19 RBI, 11 BB, 22 K, .284/.344/.431
(Rk): 15 G, 6 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 6 BB, 16 K, .260/.339/.480

Possibly three catchers were capable of making the top 30 list last season, but the decline of two of them has led to only one on the list this year, and he has topped at #7. Christian Bethancourt emerged in 2009 as the best catching prospect in the system and made a name for himself in the rookie leagues. Bethancourt was signed out of Panama and made his debut in 2009 for the GCL.

At the age of 17 in 2009, Bethancourt posted a .775 OPS in the GCL. He showed some doubles power with nine doubles out of his 33 hits. He walked 11 times and struck out 22 times. After 32 games, he moved up to Danville for the last 14 games. His strikeout rate went up some but the walk rate stayed consistent, and his slugging improved by hitting five doubles and two homers.

Bethancourt shows solid doubles power at such a young age; an age well below league average. As he matures and continues to grow, that power will turn into homers. He is said to have excellent defensive skills behind the plate, also. He's raw and very young, but there is tons of potential here. It's easy to project Bethancourt to become a 10-20 homer hitter with plus defense.

Bethancourt will either return to Danville or begin at Rome. Either way he will very likely end 2010 at Rome. How he responds to a full season behind the plate is important.

MLB: Morning Buzz: 12/24

2009-12-24T06:00:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas Eve. Obviously there won't be any Morning Buzz on Christmas, but it will pick back up on Saturday, and then the day off on Sunday.

1. You know by now the Braves signed Troy Glaus to a one-year deal worth $2 million to be the first baseman (I love linking to my own stuff). As was the case with the Vazquez trade, the casual fan wrote this off as a piece of crap.

But the sports writers should at least know a little better. But apparently not. Seriously, articles like this really make me wonder how difficult it is to get a writer's job. I mean, that is my planned career path, so maybe it's a good thing.

2. Ken Rosenthal:
Given the Braves' need for a right-handed slugger, they should be plunging into the markets for Jason Bay and Matt Holliday, the two top hitters on the free-agent market. Both, club officials say, are out of the Braves' price range.

Could it be that the Braves might be hamstrung in the next couple years with increasing salaries? You can bet that Frank Wren knows at this point the arbitration years of several players coming up.

3. Why on earth the Phillies are disguising their new reliever signing like it's Mariano Rivera is beyond me. It's probably Danys Baez. Whoo.

4. Mark Bradley should read David O'Brien more often.

5. Matt Capps might be closing in on a deal with the Nationals.

Braves: Prospect #8: J.J. Hoover

2009-12-23T18:46:00.003-05:00

8. J.J. Hoover, RHP (B/T: R/R Born: 8/13/87 Ht: 6'3 Wt: 215)
2009 (A): 134.1 IP, 3.35 ERA, 9 HR, 25 BB, 148 K, 1.19 WHIP

Despite having only one full season under his belt, J.J. Hoover showed enough and did well enough in 2009 to be ranked eighth on my list. He was drafted in the tenth round in 2008 out of Calhoun Community College.

Hoover only saw four innings at Danville in 2008. In 2009, he was moved to Rome and pitched there for all but but one start. He showed great control, posting a 1.7 BB/9, and punched out 148 for a 9.9 K/9. Hoover did allow a good many hits (135) and home runs (9), but he showed he can pitch well in trouble and kept the ERA at 3.35.

Hoover is a workhorse on the mound, showing durability with his big frame, leading Rome in innings pitched. He would serve well as either an innings eater in the rotation or an everyday man in the bullpen. He has a low-90's sinking fastball, a plus slider and curve, and changeup. Hoover's deep repertoire means he should remain in the rotation and could become a top starter as his secondary pitches continue to develop.

He will begin 2010 at Myrtle Beach, but as a 22-year-old he should move up quickly. As long as he responds to the AA jump well, Hoover should be mentioned as a MLB candidate within a couple years.

Braves: Braves Sign Troy Glaus

2009-12-23T13:08:00.003-05:00

The Braves agreed to a deal with Troy Glaus today on a one-year contract. Glaus will take over first base in 2010.

I had called for Glaus to be one to watch earlier in the offseason, so naturally I like this move. It will be an incentive-laden deal with some risk but huge potential upside. Glaus hit a total of 122 home runs between 2005 and 2008, his ISO ranging from .210 to .264. He averaged around .365 in OBP and BB/K rates stayed at 0.60 and higher.

Glaus has always been a flyball hitter. In the same span, he only had one 20% LD season, consistently posting GB/FB rates of around 0.75. Glaus knows his way around the plate, always having O-Swing% numbers well below league average, but his contact rates are also below average, resulting in the high walk and strikeout numbers. He's the natural power hitter.

Glaus' shoulder injury caused him to miss most of 2009, resulting in the low contract. He will be the bridge to Freddie Freeman, and if Glaus goes down with an injury we could see Freeman sooner than expected. Glaus could also fill in for Chipper on injury and off days. But at the same time, this is probably the one concern with this signing. The Braves now have corner infielders who are capable of going down at any time.

This is a good signing. The Braves get a potential power hitter they need while not spending much, and they didn't sacrifice anything or potentially hold up Freeman in the minors.

MLB: Morning Buzz: 12/23

2009-12-23T06:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday seemed to be a busy day. I'm wore out.

1. In reaction to the Vazquez trade, Frank Wren has said the Braves are in the mix for a middle of the order hitter. MLBTR talks about who the outfielder could be. Holliday and Bay are out of their range. Byrd could be one to watch.

2. Fangraphs recaps the NL East in 2009.

3. The Nationals are on the verge of signing Eddie Guardado. They are also a finalist for Matt Capps. Those Nats are busy bees.

4. The Angels are talking to Fernando Rodney.

5. The Mets got their man. Look out.

Braves: Prospect #9: David Hale

2009-12-22T22:11:00.003-05:00

9. David Hale, RHP (B/T: R/R Born: 9/27/87 Ht: 6'2 Wt: 200)
2009 (Rk): 16 IP, 1.13 ERA, 5 BB, 12 K, 0.75 WHIP

David Hale is one that few will agree on in the Braves system. Some list him in the top ten like me, while some barely list him at all. The reason for my high ranking is I consider him the second best relief prospect in the system, and that's worthy of a top ten rank.

Hale was drafted in the third round in 2009 out of Princeton. He never quite got it together at Princeton, but the Braves took a chance on him early, banking on his high velocity and projectable body. It also helps he came from Marietta, so they've probably had their eye on him from high school.

In his first season as a pro, Hale saw 16 innings (one start, seven relief appearances) at Danville, allowing just two earned runs. Nothing from this short sample is worth noting, but I guess it shows he has at least seen time as a pro and will move up to Rome in 2010.

Hale has a solid frame and should remain durable as a starter or reliever. His fastball sits in the low to mid-90's, though it is said to be flat at times. He has a solid slider and developing change. He still has a chance to become a starter if he can develop a third pitch, but it needs to happen soon as he climbs through the lower leagues. Turning 22 years old at Rome means he will climb quickly.

Braves: Reactions to Vazquez Trade

2009-12-22T18:44:00.003-05:00

Capitol Avenue Blog's analysis. By far the best analysis of the trade you will find.

Worth linking is Gondeee's post at Talking Chop rounding up some reactions as well as recapping the conference call with Wren. Nothing was really said except Wren has apparently cooled Derek Lowe down.

Kevin Goldstein tweets that Arodys Vizcaino is the key to this deal.

Dave Cameron writes that the trade isn't bad for the Braves.

Rotographs analyzes Melky Cabrera. The summary: he's average.

Jonathan Mayo goes over the prospects the Braves receive.

Craig Calcaterra writes about why it's not so bad for the Braves.

Dan Novick recaps the trade for Hardball Times.

Anything I missed can be found here.

Braves: Braves Deal the Other One

2009-12-22T11:13:00.005-05:00

I hate early morning news more than late night news. The Braves have traded Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn, and Arodys Vizcaino.

You can look at it and argue it both ways. My one problem with the deal is the fact that the Braves could only get an average outfielder as the main piece. Yes, Vizcaino is a nice addition, but having Melky Cabrera as the headliner in exchange for a Cy Young candidate just doesn't seem to add up.

On the other hand, Vazquez is likely to digress somewhat this coming season, and the Braves probably sold high. And as the entire reason for this, the Braves freed up a good $8-$10 million to acquire the bat they need.

I recently wrote a short piece on the Cubs' center field options and mentioned Melky Cabrera briefly:

Melky Cabrera would probably come at a similar cost as Byrd, just in return instead of money. His BB/K rate went back up to his average after a pitiful 2008, and his OBP went back up to .336. His SLG and ISO were career highs at .416 and .142, and LD% was at a career high 20.9%. As Cabrera enters his prime years, he's setting himself up for some career years, maybe as soon as 2010.

I do believe Cabrera is capable of turning a slight corner in the next couple years, but the problem is he has entered his arbitration years and is under team control for only a couple more years. He will turn 26 in 2010. He should add some power as he develops more and faces NL pitchers, but his ceiling is only so high. Yankees players are always overhyped, and Cabrera is no different. League average with a chance at slightly above average for a corner outfielder.

The only thing keeping this trade from being terrible for the Braves is Arodys Vizcaino. He's a young hurler who has tons of potential but is a long way away. As a 18-year-old in A-ball, Vizcaino posted a 2.13 ERA in 42 innings, walking 15 and striking out 52. A H/9 of 0.4 and FIP of 2.49 shows that Vizcaino completely dominated the league, and his solid walk rate is a sign of maturity at such a young age. He has a ways to go (will probably be assigned to Myrtle Beach, though it could be half Rome/half Beach), but at this point he's automatically a top five prospect for the Braves. I would list him above Craig Kimbrel, just below Julio Teheran, who many have compared him to.

Michael Dunn is a LOOGY in the making. He has control problems that will probably prevent him from becoming a late-inning option, but he could fill the role of lefty reliever if needed. He will be Eric O' Flaherty's backup, just as Boone Logan was.

MLB: Morning Buzz: 12/22

2009-12-22T06:00:00.002-05:00

I decided to take Monday morning off since Sunday was so slow. Please forgive me. There was some excitement Monday night in regards to a potential Yankees trade and a swap of young pitchers.

1. The last tweet I saw before going to bed last night: Ruling out Zambrano to the Yankees. Lowe was debunked earlier when Feinsand said the trade wouldn't be a salary dump. My morning posts are timed to post, so something could have happened between the time I'm writing this and when it gets posted.

2. The Mariners and Blue Jays swapped pitchers, as Brandon League went to the Mariners and Brandon Morrow to the Jays.

3. The Nationals signed Jason Marquis to a two-year deal. No upside to this signing at all. Just another reason the Nationals aren't going anywhere.

4. Darren Oliver signed a one-year deal with the Rangers.

5. Analysis on Tommy Hanson by Rotographs.

A little bit of a run-through with this post, but I'll go deeper into these moves later in the day.

MLB: Yankees Working on Deal

2009-12-21T22:16:00.005-05:00

Update: Mark Feinsand says it's not a salary dump, eliminating Lowe. I'm still holding out hope but that's all I've gotten at this point.

I'm far too lazy to link every tweet on this, but there have been several going around about a potential Yankees trade for a starter. Your proof. It's not known yet who the starter is, but there is always the chance it could be Derek Lowe.

Stay tuned to the blog and Twitter feed on the side for updates.

Braves: Prospect #10: Zeke Spruill

2009-12-21T21:41:00.004-05:00

10. Zeke Spruill, RHP (B/T: S/R Born: 9/11/89 Ht: 6'4 Wt: 184)
2009 (Rk): 19.2 IP, 4.58 ERA, 2 HR, 5 BB, 23 K, 1.47 WHIP
(A): 116 IP, 3.03 ERA, 9 HR, 24 BB, 95 K, 1.24 WHIP

I begin the top ten with a young, lanky pitcher with big potential. Zeke Spruill is a Marietta product out of Kell, who posted solid numbers in his debut seasons.

Spruill began his pro career at 18 years old in the GCL (2008), recording a 2.93 ERA in 40 innings, walking only eight and striking out 32. This warranted a promotion to Rome for 2009, and he did very well there also, posting a 3.03 ERA in 116 innings. All of his rates remained the same (1.9 BB/9, 7.4 K/9). You could say he had identical seasons, which is good considering how low his walk rate is. It would be nice to see the strikeout totals a little higher and the hits allowed a little lower, but he seems to be cruising through the lower leagues despite this.

Spruill's biggest advantage is age; he will turn 20 years old in 2010 while moving up to Myrtle Beach. He's tall and has good leverage on the mound, and once his body fills out he could add considerable velocity to his low-90's fastball. His height is an advantage when he throws his plus curve, and he also has a solid slider.

However, Spruill's one knock is a disciplinary problem that caused a demotion to the GCL in 2009. It is said to be minor and shouldn't be of concern (probably late a few times or something), but anything like this shouldn't be taken lightly, especially for a player of his potential. As long as he remains on track he should be fine. As I said earlier, Spruill will begin 2010 at Myrtle Beach, and will probably continue to climb the ladder at a young age for each league. If he fills out and keeps his strikeout totals at a respectable rate, he could emerge as a #2-type starter.

Braves: Prospect #11: Jose Ortegano

2009-12-20T22:49:00.004-05:00

11. Jose Ortegano, LHP (B/T: L/L Born: 8/5/87 Ht: 6'1 Wt: 145)
2009 (A+): 69.2 IP, 3.49 ERA, 4 HR, 19 BB, 59 K, 1.08 WHIP
(AA): 47.2 IP, 2.83 ERA, 2 HR, 15 BB, 42 K, 1.28 WHIP

Wait, another soft-tossing lefty? Jose Ortegano fits the bill as another in the system, but there are a couple things that set him apart, resulting in a #11 ranking. Signed out of Venezuela and beginning his pro career at 18 years old, Ortegano has steadily moved up the ladder with no problems.

Ortegano cruised through his first two seasons of pro ball at 18 and 19, including a 1.48 ERA at Danville. He hit a snag at Rome in 2008, seeing an increase in all of his rates, including a 9.5 H/9 and 2.6 BB/9. This resulted in a 4.62 ERA. But he was promoted to Myrtle Beach to begin 2009 and rebounded nicely. His walks remained the same and his strikeout total went down some, but he kept the hits to a minimum and recorded a 3.49 ERA in 12 starts and 21 total games.

Ortegano was given the nod for eight starts at AA to end 2009, and he did very well for his situation. Being a little young for the league at 21, he posted a 2.83 ERA in 47 innings. His BB/K rates remained the same and he gave up a few more hits, but he kept the runs allowed down and did better than expected. This should give the Braves even more confidence in him.

While many like to pair Ortegano and Edgar Osuna as they climb through the system together, there is one main difference between the two: strikeouts. Osuna's strikeout rate continues to decline as he progresses, which is a recipe for a bad wake up call in the upper leagues. But Ortegano's strikeout totals have remained the same since the jump to Myrtle Beach. Like Osuna, Ortegano features solid control with good enough stuff around his changeup to get by.

He will return to AA in 2010 with his eye on ending the season in AAA. He could be one to watch in spring of 2011.

MLB: Why Coco Crisp?

2009-12-20T13:11:00.004-05:00

The Athletics are close to signing Coco Crisp to a one-year deal worth around $5 million. This potential signing is another example of the extremes Billy Beane will go to. A "normal" baseball fan would look at Jack Cust's 25 HR and arbitration of around $4 million and see a much better value than Coco Crisp's pitiful offensive numbers and $5 million salary.

But this has nothing to do with offense. Cust is limited to corner outfield duties when he's not DHing, and he is pretty much awful. Crisp is a very solid defensive center fielder. And because of this, Beane takes Crisp and pays more for that defense.

Cust dipped below 100 walks for the first time as a full-time starter, but that wasn't the main concern. His SLG went from .476 to .417, and ISO went from .245 to .177. Some of his doubles and homers turned into singles, and he drove in the fewest amount of runs in his career. I think it's safe to say Cust will rebound from this. If he is placed in a platoon and is kept away from lefties, he will have no problem increasing his walks and power, making him worth the raise he will receive.

Crisp was very unlucky in 2009, but that doesn't excuse the fact that he can't hit. Since leaving the Indians, his bat has turned to crap. His highest OPS for the Red Sox was .751, and his next highest was .712. Before shutting down with shoulder surgery, Crisp had improved his BB/K and ISO, but the wOBA continued to sit pretty low. But Crisp continues to display stellar defense and signing him is based purely on his defense.

It's all according to the GM's thought process. A GM that wants 25-30 HR and a lot of walks will take Cust. A GM that needs defense in the outfield will take Crisp. The difference in salary probably won't be enough to argue over.

My problem with the deal? Rajai Davis.

Davis hit .305/.360/.423 in 432 PA in 2009 as the CF. His .366 BABIP means he will probably see a slight decrease in those numbers next season, but he's worthy of taking the CF spot over Crisp offensively. Defensively? Davis posted a 17.8 UZR/150, while Crisp's is anywhere from 1.3 to 22.4. Davis is worthy of starting in center for the A's.

This is why I don't understand Beane's thinking. The money used to sign Crisp could bring Cust back while keeping Davis in CF.

Braves: Prospect #12: Mycal Jones

2009-12-20T00:17:00.003-05:00

12. Mycal Jones, SS (B/T: R/R Born: 5/30/87 Ht: 5'10 Wt: 165)
2009 (Rk): 65 G, 18 2B, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 26 BB, 56 K, .254/.332/.423

Mycal Jones is #12 just because I like how he spells his name. He's also a pretty good shortstop. Drafted in the fourth round of this year's draft out of North Florida, Jones didn't light up the rookie league as expected, but he holds tremendous potential.

Jones played the entire 2009 season for Danville, hitting .254 with a .332 OBP, 18 doubles and six triples, and four homers. His BB/K rate wasn't very good, which held him back some. Despite his age and coming out of college, he's raw. He has an athletic body that projects well as a middle infielder, though his arm may cause him to move to second base eventually. Despite this, he has good range and takes good routes. Jones' speed should also develop nicely, perhaps as a 25+ guy (he had 19 in '09).

Jones' age is his biggest knock. Playing a full season in the rookie league at 22 means he will need to play catch up for quite some time. Because of this, he might not see as much time in the lower leagues as he needs. But with some prospects, their first year in pro ball is their worst, just because of shock factor and an advanced schedule. This could be the case with Jones, who steadily declined as the season wore on.

The main thing to keep in mind is Jones is still raw as a hitter. He may break the upper leagues at a higher age, but he is an intriguing prospect because of what he is capable of doing as he progresses. As he improves on the walk rate, adds power and speed, and continues his good defense, he can break the big leagues as a good middle infielder. He will either start 2010 in Rome or Myrtle Beach, but don't expect him to remain at either one for long.

MLB: Cubs CF Options

2009-12-19T20:47:00.005-05:00

With the trade of Milton Bradley allowing Kosuke Fukudome to move to right field permanently, the Cubs are in the market for a center fielder. Lets look at a few options on the table.

Marlon Byrd
The most valuable center fielder on the market is Marlon Byrd. Given the most plate appearances of his career in 2009, Byrd went .283/.329/.479, 20 HR and 89 RBI. However, these numbers came at Texas, and I have to believe he took full advantage of the park to inflate his power numbers instead of it being a breakout season. His ISO was .196; his previous high was .164, also at Texas.

If you look deeper, Byrd's 2009 season could be an indication of what you can expect once he moves out of Texas. His BB/K of 0.33 is pretty much in line with his career average; his 2008 number of 0.74 was a pure fluke. His .329 OBP is almost in line with his average as well. These on-base stats are understandable when seeing his O-Swing% as 28.5%, and O-Contact% of 58.8%, both 3% below average.

Also, his defense is less than stellar. After his solid debut as the starting CF for the Phillies in 2003 as a kid, Byrd had his second full season as a CF in 2009, and his defense wasn't nearly as good. Age isn't on his side, either.

Going to Chicago would keep Byrd's power numbers at a respectable level for a center fielder, but the on-base numbers and lack of walks are his concern. Even so, a GM will spend a considerable amount for a center fielder that has hit 20 homers, no matter where it occurred.

Scott Podsednik
It's not often you see a player have his best season as a rookie, but Scott Podsednik did that in 2003. Podsednik has never been the ideal leadoff hitter, posting OBP anywhere from .313 to .351 (.379 in '03 was a fluke). He has been able to maintain his BB/K around 0.60 while stealing 40 bases or more, but his return in 2009 saw only 30 SB while getting caught 13 times (his CS total of 13 was the same amount as in 2004 when he stole 70 bases). His numbers in 2009 didn't change much except for the decrease in walks, but his strikeout total was also down. However, his BABIP of .342 means he is setting some team up for disappointment in 2010. Podsednik has nowhere to go but down, and 2010 could be his last shot as a starter.

Melky Cabrera
Melky Cabrera would probably come at a similar cost as Byrd, just in return instead of money. His BB/K rate went back up to his average after a pitiful 2008, and his OBP went back up to .336. His SLG and ISO were career highs at .416 and .142, and LD% was at a career high 20.9%. As Cabrera enters his prime years, he's setting himself up for some career years, maybe as soon as 2010. He would be a valuable center fielder in those years, and it would be in the Cubs' interest to get him now if it's possible.

Brett Gardner
Brett Gardner might come cheap like Podsednik, and he would fare better in the NL. He's good for defense and speed, and could provide solid leadoff skills in his prime years.

MLB: Morning Buzz: 12/19

2009-12-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

I don't understand the hoopla about Javier Vazquez going to the Angels. It's common sense this won't happen, yet reporters continue to drone on about it.

1. Already mentioned it on Twitter last night, but the Braves haven't talked to Adam LaRoche. He said, "maybe I should have hit .400." My response: maybe you shouldn't be asking for an amount you'll never get.

2. The Dodgers signed friend Brian Barton.

3. Probably no way it will happen with what he's asking for, but Johnny Damon apparently has interest in the Braves. If the Yankees pass on his offers, you know the Braves don't have a chance.

4. My post on the Bradley/Silva trade.

5. Tony DeMarco article on Jack Zduriencik.

Braves: Prospect #13: Dimaster Delgado

2009-12-18T19:47:00.003-05:00

13. Dimaster Delgado, LHP (B/T: L/L Born: 3/3/89 Ht: 6'2 Wt: 180)
2009 (A): 17 GS, 3.61 ERA, 4 HR, 26 BB, 104 K, 1.15 WHIP

Another international lefty signing for the Braves. Dimaster Delgado is #13 on my list due to a dominating performance in Rome this season and the potential that he shows. Delgado was signed out of Panama and made his pro debut as a 19-year-old in 2008.

For the GCL Braves in 2008, Delgado had a 4.31 ERA in 39 innings (three starts). He had a BB/9 rate of 2.0, yet his H/9 was 11.6. He was promoted to Rome for 2009 and became an established starter in the rotation, posting a 3.61 ERA in 17 starts. He showed his stellar control by maintaining his walk rate (26 walks in 99 innings). His strikeout numbers also improved, posting a K/9 of 9.4.

As is the case with many left-handed pitching prospects, A-ball isn't the best telling sign of their true potential. But for Delgado to show this kind of control at 19 and 20 years old does say something, and that's why he is ranked so high on my list. He has the potential to move up through the system quickly, as long as he keeps the hits allowed at a good rate.

Delgado is said to have a fastball around 90 MPH with an advanced changeup. He seems to be following the path of just-stolen Edgar Osuna and Jose Ortegano. His body still has room to fill out and he could add velocity as he progresses. Expect Delgado to start at Myrtle Beach in 2010, probably for the entire season.

MLB: Milton Bradley vs. Carlos Silva

2009-12-18T17:26:00.004-05:00

The title of this post is more for sarcasm than a real debate. There is no argument who got the best of this deal. Jack Zdurlkasdknjv just made another GM look like a fool.

Though, with this I do understand that the Cubs could only do so much with Milton Bradley. Since the season ended they've been trying to get the best deal possible for Bradley, and this is probably it. They were going to get robbed either way, but the Mariners made sure they were the ones doing the robbing and they took advantage.

Bradley took advantage of the Rangers' park to hit 22 homers, slug .563, and post an ISO of .242 in 2008. But with this came a .396 BABIP. So it was understandable when Bradley's numbers dropped some in 2009, despite moving to another friendly field at Chicago. Injuries and the eventual suspension resulted in ten fewer homers, a SLG of .397, and ISO of .140. Despite this, the BB/K rate remained similar to 2008, which is never a problem with Bradley anyway. It also led to his worst defensive season, though he hasn't played full time in the outfield since 2004.

Moving to Safeco is bound to affect any hitter, so I wouldn't be surprised to see his power numbers stay close to his totals this past season. His SLG and ISO should go up but I don't see another 20 homer season.

As Dave Cameron points out, Carlos Silva would not receive more than league minimum if he was a free agent, and I have my doubts that he would even get a major league deal. Silva is basically dead weight that is being moved around. He may serve a purpose in the pen for the Cubs if he is handled correctly.

The Mariners are sending $9 million along with Silva to cover the difference in salary, as well as an extra $6 million to help cover some of Silva's salary. This is by far the best part of the deal for the Cubs.

Along with the link above, as the next domino in the trade, the Cubs are apparently close to a deal for Marlon Byrd. This would end the free agent outfielder possibilities for the Braves and most certainly means the eventual Derek Lowe trade would have to bring back the next starting left fielder.

Braves: Braves Sign Joe Thurston

2009-12-18T13:11:00.004-05:00

The Braves have signed Joe Thurston to a split contract with an invite to spring training.

I would guess that Thurston would be a candidate to take Greg Norton's job as the left-handed pinch hitter, but he seems to be more of a super utility player than a strict pinch hitter. He's not much for power (.105 ISO in 09), but he takes walks and plays second, third, and left field. His best position is second but he's pretty solid at all three. His numbers against lefties are actually better than against righties, though the sample size is small (.273 vs. RHP in 55 at bats; .216 vs. LHP in 278 at bats).

The Braves seem to like these Cardinals utility players.

MLB: Morning Buzz: 12/18

2009-12-18T01:34:00.004-05:00

1. The Angels are after Javier Vazquez instead of Derek Lowe. Well, that's no surprise. But I hope they realize how much it will take to get Vazquez to the West Coast with his no-trade clause and unwillingness to move out there. I don't put much into this.

2. After a couple day's worth of rumors, the Orioles are said to be out of the Holliday/Gonzalez picture. I didn't expect much there anyway. They're always rumored to be hot after the top free agents or other players but never do anything with them.

3. Nick Johnson and the Yankees agreed to a one-year deal worth $5.5 million.

4. The Hardball Times posted their Braves Top 10 Prospects. Nothing unusual. DeVall and Johnson made it.

5. Center field rankings.

Braves: Prospect #14: Adam Milligan

2009-12-17T18:03:00.003-05:00

14. Adam Milligan, LF (B/T: L/R Born: 3/14/88 Ht: 6'3 Wt: 210)
2009 (Rk): 18-41, 5 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 3 BB, 7 K
(A): 52 G, 14 2B, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 12 BB, 43 K, .393/.589/.982
(A+): 4-24, 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 8 K

The guy was drafted three times by the Braves, so apparently they wanted him. After one full season as a pro, Adam Milligan has cracked our list at #14. He was drafted for the third time in the sixth round in 2008 out of Walters State Community College.

Milligan began 2009 in Danville just to get his feet wet, and he showed out by hitting .439 in 41 at bats. He quickly moved up to Rome and remained there for most of the season. In 52 games, he hit .345 with a .982 OPS, 10 homers and 33 RBI. He got a short stint at Myrtle Beach to end the season and struggled, though it doesn't mean much at that point.

Milligan's raw power projects well for him as he continues to move up. He's big and looks great in the box. The one knock on him at this point is the lack of walks; he only had 12 at Rome while striking out 43 times. But despite turning 22 in 2010, he is raw and only needs time to make adjustments as he progresses.

Expect Milligan to begin 2010 at Myrtle Beach, but with his age means constant promotions. He's right where he needs to be right now. If he continues to do well in 2010, Milligan will emerge as a top ten prospect and could eventually reach the top five.

Braves: Braves Sign Mitch Jones

2009-12-17T17:35:00.004-05:00

The Braves got their man. No, just kidding. They signed 32-year-old corner infielder/outfielder Mitch Jones to a minor league deal with a probable invite to spring training.

Jones is a perfect example of a AAAA player, leading AAA in homers this past season and always one of the top hitters in the minors, yet never getting a shot in the majors. He finally did this past season, getting 15 plate appearances and picking up four hits for the Dodgers, though he did strike out six times. Strikeouts do seem to be a problem for Jones, but his rates have steadily decreased over the past few years. He always maintains solid on-base numbers (.364/.651/1.015 in 2009) and produces insane ISO numbers (.354 in 2009).

So like I said, Jones is a AAAA hitter who has never received a real shot at a major league job. He will get an invite to spring training and provides depth for the Braves.

MLB: Morning Buzz: 12/17

2009-12-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

1. "I take it kind of personal," Lowe said. "Noboby made them give me a four-year, $60 million contract. There wasn't a ransom or anybody holding a gun to their heads. It was a negotiation and that's what they viewed as fair. I would have never even considered going there if I knew that ultimately this was going to happen."

The Braves never would have considered signing you if they knew you would suck, either.

2. The Orioles affected the Braves in a couple ways, signing Mike Gonzalez and Garrett Atkins. If the Braves settle for some crap at first, I'll be watching Atkins in 2010.

3. Why does one workout session affect a contract that much?

4. The questions surrounding Gonzalez in Baltimore.

5. I'm tired of reading Jason Bay rumors, almost as much as Derek Lowe crap.

Braves: Prospect #15: Brett DeVall

2009-12-17T00:02:00.004-05:00

15. Brett DeVall, LHP (B/T: L/L Born: 1/8/90 Ht: 6'3 Wt: 215)
2009 (A): 10 GS, 3.52 ERA, 3 HR, 14 BB, 41 K, 1.19 WHIP

It's likely Brett DeVall might not even crack the list next year due to his Tommy John surgery that will keep him out for most, if not all of 2010. But for now it's impossible to ignore the potential. DeVall was drafted as the Braves' first pick in 2008 (comp pick) out of high school.

In the GCL in 2008, DeVall gave up one run in 9.2 innings while striking out seven. In 2009 as a 19-year-old, he pitched 53 innings for Rome, posting a 3.52 ERA while walking only 14 and striking out 41. He did give up a decent amount of hits and the strikeout rate wasn't that good, but he showed great control and did very well for his age.

However, DeVall went down with an elbow injury that required surgery, resulting in him missing a little over half the season and probably all of 2010. His body projects well and he still has room to add velocity. He hits low-90's with the fastball and has solid mechanics.

Like I said, DeVall may not be considered a top prospect next season due to his surgery, but he will still be watched closely upon his return, probably in 2011. Age is on his side and I wouldn't be surprised to see him pick up where he left off.

Braves: Prospect #16: Cody Johnson

2009-12-16T23:10:00.004-05:00

16. Cody Johnson, LF (B/T: L/R Born: 8/18/88 Ht: 6'4 Wt: 195)
2009 (A+): 122 G, 18 2B, 32 HR, 84 RBI, 64 BB, 171 K, .345/.517/.862
(AA): 4-22, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 9 K

Going from one controversial player to another, #16 on our list is slugging outfielder Cody Johnson. While some would rank the former first round pick higher due to his power, Johnson is always a topic of debate regarding his extreme strikeout numbers and whether he can maintain his progression because of it.

Johnson was drafted in the first round in 2006 out of Panama City. At 6'4 and known for a questionable eye and his moon shots in high school, Johnson was big news when he was drafted, with some stating he wouldn't get past AA while others said he would be the next Andruw. But Johnson has proven pretty much what everybody knew: he can hit home runs and he strikes out like it's a good thing.

After a horrible start to his pro career in the GCL, Johnson was promoted to Danville and destroyed the league at 18 years old. He then proceeded to do what everybody expected him to do in Rome, hitting 26 homers, slugging .479, and striking out 177 times. His OBP was .307 and he only walked 40 times in 468 at bats. As if expecting this, the Braves promoted him to Myrtle Beach for 2009 at 20 years old. His OBP went up significantly to .345 and he walked 64 times while hitting 32 homers at the Beach. Johnson's numbers here are a strong tell that he is making adjustments and learning how to take a walk probably better than most expected.

Johnson has long been thought of as a future Adam Dunn, but a few things have to happen before this comparison becomes legit. Obviously he needs to keep making adjustments as he moves up the ladder and learn to continue taking walks. But with this, no matter how many walks he takes or how many homers he hits, he has to cut the strikeout rate. His minor league strikeout rate was higher than any major league player's this past season. And another question mark regarding Johnson is the defense. His defensive numbers are pretty much horrible.

There are plenty question marks surrounding Johnson, but a solid 2009 at Myrtle Beach is something he can build on. Perhaps his biggest advantage is age; he will be 21 in 2010 and will start at AA, giving him plenty of time to learn the league. And he will probably need it. Only time will tell whether he can cut it in the upper levels.