It's not even Christmas and already the Braves have nearly filled their roster for the 2011 season. It's not going to make for a lot of suspense trying to figure out who will fill the backup center field or shortstop spots, and no one is on the edge of their seat trying to figure out who the final bullpen spot will go to. One thing that you may be thinking about looking at the Braves current 40 man roster is, who are these guys?
So to clear the clouds away for you Braves fans that don't spend all of your time on Fangraphs or Baseball Reference here is a breakdown of the Braves off season acquisitions thus far.
Dan Uggla 2B
Hits-Right
Throws-Right
Hight-5'11 Weight- 207
Born 3/11/1980
The Braves acquired the slugging second baseman in a trade with the Marlins for Omar Infante and Mike Dunn. He is a human powder keg who hits for more power than any right handed hitter the Braves have has since Andruw Jones. As a second baseman he forced All-Star Martin Prado to left field, or third base if Chipper Jones isn't healthy. He's not quite the fielder that Martin is at second, but has improved some in recent years, he's not so bad at any one thing but is just below average in all defensive categories though not as embarrassing as many would have you believe. He'll probably hit fourth or fifth for the Braves this season and is the picture of hard work and durability.
Scott Linebrink RP
Hits-Right
Throws-Right
Hight-6'3 Weight-220
Born-8/4/1976
A veteran of ten big league seasons, the Braves brought in the veteran setup man in exchange for minor league pitcher Kyle Cofield and got more than half of his salary paid for by the White Sox. He will likely fill the setup role vacated by Takashi Saito and will help mentor the young bullpen corps. He's not going to dazzle you but typically gets the job done, with his graying goatee and bowlers physique some fans may mistake him for former closer Bob Wickman. He's been a durable if uninspiring player for a long time who has had a great deal of success in the NL.
George Sherrill RP
Hits-Left
Throws-Left
Hight-5'11 Weight-237
Born-4/19/1977
Sherrill is a former closer, albeit for the Orioles who will be serving primarily as a left handed specialist for the Braves. He has had a lot of success in the past with that role, and the hardships he endured last season were a result of him being overexposed to right handed hitters. Look for him to rebound in 2011 and also keep a look out for fans making fun of his facial hair and flat brimmed cap.
Joe Mather OF/1B/3B
Hits-Right
Throws-Right
Hight-6'4 Weight-215
Born-7/23/1982
Mather will try to fill the spot vacated by Matt Diaz in the Braves outfield and off the bench. Mather has a ton of power and is a competent outfielder at the corners and at first base. He has also seen time at third base and in center field in the Cardinals organization. He is a candidate to be a late blooming power threat in the mold of Carlos Quentin or Nelson Cruz, but probably will be more like a Matt Diaz with more power and a little less dominance against left handed pitchers. He may see some time in left and right spelling Martin Prado and Jason Heyward and perhaps even in center if he proves rangy enough.
That wraps it up for the big league acquisitions so far, if you want more info about the minor league free agents singed this off season left me know and I'll dedicate a post to them.
Please join me in wishing all the nubies good luck in Braves Country, and have a good week everyone.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Prospect Profile, a Conversation with L.V. Ware...
Recently I was fortunate enough to talk to L.V. Ware, Braves center field prospect, Atlanta native, and member of the Twitter.com all-star team. I guarantee he's one of the most interesting people not in a Dos Equis commercial.
Matt White: First off thanks for agreeing to being interviewed
LV Ware: Its not a problem at all man, thanks for the invite
Matt White: It's a privalidge, you've been playing pro ball for three seasons now across several teams in the Braves system, whitch stop has been your favorite so far?
LV Ware: Its definitely a tough pick after playing in Myrtle Beach and being close to home playing in Rome, but I would have to say Danville in 2009. The town was little ,but yet so open to the players. We had a great coaching staff and great players. To go 47-21 was crazy, and then to walk away with the Appalachian League championship man it that much more special
Matt White: That sounds like a great experiance, has getting a taste of a league championship so early in your career motivated you even more?
LV Ware: Honestly it has, by being in Danville in 08 & being close to making the playoffs. Then next year starting in Rome and being sent back to danville was kind of hard, but it definitely was a learning process. Sometimes you have to take two steps backwards to take one step forward and thats what I did. Won a league championship, improved my numbers by alot and its helped me focus on the little things that we tend to get away from as players
Matt White: thebaseballcube.com has you ranked among the fastest players in the Braves organization, have you played with anyone you think is any quicker?
LV Ware: Far as quicker i think Jordan Schafer is def quicker than me, but not fast...we both get greats jumps but hes def a little quicker than me....Kyle Rose would defiantly have to be the fastest person ive ever played with, but his jumps arent as good as Shafer and myself, but we stay working with him on that
Matt White: Most Braves websites that cover prospects have you starting the year at AA Mississippi next season, is that what you expect also?
LV Ware: Honestly as a player you never know what to expect, cause anything can change in the game. I was grateful enough to finish the year there this year. So I just want to build off of that. I would love to start there next year, and continue to work my way up the ladder to Atlanta.
Matt White: Do you have any specific goals for the 2011 season that you don't mind sharing?
LV Ware: One goal I've always set in my mind is trying to get 50 bags in a season, and I've got to 30 but thats not good enough for me. But my main goal for next year is to cut back on the strikeouts a lot and increase the walks. I've been working on being patient at the plate and hitting coach Garey Ingram has been talking to me about what my approach should be because im a top of the order hitter seeing that i ve have speed.
Matt White: What do you think are fans most common misconceptions of minor league baseball?
LV Ware: Thats a tough one...a lot of die-hard fans know alot about the minors cause they are devoted to their teams and they get to know the game pretty good. I know I get alot of questions about the housing situation, a lot of fans think ours organizations pay for everything, but little do they know we have to support ourselves with our paychecks.
Matt White: You interact a lot with fans through twitter.com and your blog lvware.blogspot.com what inspired you to get so involved in social media?
LV Ware: I'm a goofy, silly person, and I just like to have fun. The fans want to get to know players and just have conversations and thats not a problem at all. It's all respect, they go out their ways to see us and follow us, least I can do is interact with everyone. Plus alot of people are comedians so they have me laughing 24/7 on twitter. The blog is my place of peace, when I need to just get away. Its where I go to write and release some thoughts and tension.
Matt White: I know the fans appriciate it, and as a twitter follower I have to agree those people have got some jokes.
LV Ware: Haha man its amazing to be apart of it, it definitely keeps me entertained all day. So im thankful for social networks and don't take them too serious, we all want to have fun.
Matt White: What person, or people in your life has had the most impact on you, both as a person and a player?
LV Ware: As far as playing growing up it was my father, he used to take flour and make a baseball field in my backyard and my mom used to kill him haha. As i got older it was my high school coach. He was a pitcher at Southern University and his father was in the negro leagues so he knew what it took, he pushed me harder and harder and it has definitely paid off for me.
Matt White: In the minor leagues you have to endure a lot of long bus rides, how you pass the time?
LV Ware: You have no idea man, we watch movies, play cards, psp, word with friends. But my favorite would have to be sleeping. I have to catch up on that rest cause once your off the bus in the A.M. its time to wake up just like that and its practice time, so I take advantage of catching rest cause its definitely needed.
Matt White: Ever get pranked during naps?
LV Ware: I've never been pranked but I've definitely pulled off some pranks myself lol, I tend to be a prankster all the time and especially in the clubhouse.
Matt White: Whats the best one you've pulled?
LV Ware: Haha I pulled a prank on Geraldo Rodriquez few years back where I was cutting his hair and I left the back of his head with hair and cut the rest off, then put icey hot in the top of his hat. When he put it on to go outside and play it was a sight to see once he started sweating.
Matt White: That sounds hillarious, whats the most embarrasing thing to happen to you on a baseball field?
LV Ware: I dont think I've ever had anything embarrasing happen to me while playing but when I was in Greensboro playing against the Grasshoppers this year they posed my real name on the jumbo tron and man was that a sight to see. Instead of my picture and LV Ware the put up a picture of the Mona Lisa and wrote Leonardo DaVinci Ware. It really threw the at bat off cause the crowd laughed and I seen it and couldn't stop laughing while I was in the box
Matt White: You've gotten to play with most for the Braves top prospects in your career, who has impressed you the most so far?
LV Ware: I have two Julio Tehran and Cory Harrilchak, Tehran is just so above the competition its unreal. Definitely a diamond in the rough, and Harrilchak is as professional as they come...the man plays the game correct and has a bright future ahead of him.
Matt White: If you wern't a baseball player what would do?
LV Ware: I think I would want to become a teacher and teach math, I went to college to study accounting and I love numbers.
Matt White: Thats pretty impressive, do you think you would like to coach also?
LV Ware: I definitely would love to coach, not only baseball. I would want to get my hands in on football as well. It was my second love growing up and in high school.
Matt White: Did you ever think about pursuing football instead of baseball?
LV Ware: As I got older I wish I would have stuck with it, I never went back after my sophmore year of high school because I wanted to just focus on baseball. I think I could have been a good corner or safety. I played quarterback and free safety in high school.
Matt White: Other than a love for math is there anything else about you that fans would be surprised to find out?
LV Ware: Honestly not at all.
Matt White: Okay, random pop culture question, if your stuck on a desert island and for some reason you have a solar powered DVD/CD player what 5 discs would you want to have with you?
LV Ware: Law Abiding Citizen, Jay-Z Blueprint, Martin (the tv show), Little Qayne The Carter, The Hangover.
Matt White: Thanks again for letting me pick your brain, I hope you have a fantastic season. I'm sure all our readers will be twitter followers by morning.
Matt White: First off thanks for agreeing to being interviewed
LV Ware: Its not a problem at all man, thanks for the invite
Matt White: It's a privalidge, you've been playing pro ball for three seasons now across several teams in the Braves system, whitch stop has been your favorite so far?
LV Ware: Its definitely a tough pick after playing in Myrtle Beach and being close to home playing in Rome, but I would have to say Danville in 2009. The town was little ,but yet so open to the players. We had a great coaching staff and great players. To go 47-21 was crazy, and then to walk away with the Appalachian League championship man it that much more special
Matt White: That sounds like a great experiance, has getting a taste of a league championship so early in your career motivated you even more?
LV Ware: Honestly it has, by being in Danville in 08 & being close to making the playoffs. Then next year starting in Rome and being sent back to danville was kind of hard, but it definitely was a learning process. Sometimes you have to take two steps backwards to take one step forward and thats what I did. Won a league championship, improved my numbers by alot and its helped me focus on the little things that we tend to get away from as players
Matt White: thebaseballcube.com has you ranked among the fastest players in the Braves organization, have you played with anyone you think is any quicker?
LV Ware: Far as quicker i think Jordan Schafer is def quicker than me, but not fast...we both get greats jumps but hes def a little quicker than me....Kyle Rose would defiantly have to be the fastest person ive ever played with, but his jumps arent as good as Shafer and myself, but we stay working with him on that
Matt White: Most Braves websites that cover prospects have you starting the year at AA Mississippi next season, is that what you expect also?
LV Ware: Honestly as a player you never know what to expect, cause anything can change in the game. I was grateful enough to finish the year there this year. So I just want to build off of that. I would love to start there next year, and continue to work my way up the ladder to Atlanta.
Matt White: Do you have any specific goals for the 2011 season that you don't mind sharing?
LV Ware: One goal I've always set in my mind is trying to get 50 bags in a season, and I've got to 30 but thats not good enough for me. But my main goal for next year is to cut back on the strikeouts a lot and increase the walks. I've been working on being patient at the plate and hitting coach Garey Ingram has been talking to me about what my approach should be because im a top of the order hitter seeing that i ve have speed.
Matt White: What do you think are fans most common misconceptions of minor league baseball?
LV Ware: Thats a tough one...a lot of die-hard fans know alot about the minors cause they are devoted to their teams and they get to know the game pretty good. I know I get alot of questions about the housing situation, a lot of fans think ours organizations pay for everything, but little do they know we have to support ourselves with our paychecks.
Matt White: You interact a lot with fans through twitter.com and your blog lvware.blogspot.com what inspired you to get so involved in social media?
LV Ware: I'm a goofy, silly person, and I just like to have fun. The fans want to get to know players and just have conversations and thats not a problem at all. It's all respect, they go out their ways to see us and follow us, least I can do is interact with everyone. Plus alot of people are comedians so they have me laughing 24/7 on twitter. The blog is my place of peace, when I need to just get away. Its where I go to write and release some thoughts and tension.
Matt White: I know the fans appriciate it, and as a twitter follower I have to agree those people have got some jokes.
LV Ware: Haha man its amazing to be apart of it, it definitely keeps me entertained all day. So im thankful for social networks and don't take them too serious, we all want to have fun.
Matt White: What person, or people in your life has had the most impact on you, both as a person and a player?
LV Ware: As far as playing growing up it was my father, he used to take flour and make a baseball field in my backyard and my mom used to kill him haha. As i got older it was my high school coach. He was a pitcher at Southern University and his father was in the negro leagues so he knew what it took, he pushed me harder and harder and it has definitely paid off for me.
Matt White: In the minor leagues you have to endure a lot of long bus rides, how you pass the time?
LV Ware: You have no idea man, we watch movies, play cards, psp, word with friends. But my favorite would have to be sleeping. I have to catch up on that rest cause once your off the bus in the A.M. its time to wake up just like that and its practice time, so I take advantage of catching rest cause its definitely needed.
Matt White: Ever get pranked during naps?
LV Ware: I've never been pranked but I've definitely pulled off some pranks myself lol, I tend to be a prankster all the time and especially in the clubhouse.
Matt White: Whats the best one you've pulled?
LV Ware: Haha I pulled a prank on Geraldo Rodriquez few years back where I was cutting his hair and I left the back of his head with hair and cut the rest off, then put icey hot in the top of his hat. When he put it on to go outside and play it was a sight to see once he started sweating.
Matt White: That sounds hillarious, whats the most embarrasing thing to happen to you on a baseball field?
LV Ware: I dont think I've ever had anything embarrasing happen to me while playing but when I was in Greensboro playing against the Grasshoppers this year they posed my real name on the jumbo tron and man was that a sight to see. Instead of my picture and LV Ware the put up a picture of the Mona Lisa and wrote Leonardo DaVinci Ware. It really threw the at bat off cause the crowd laughed and I seen it and couldn't stop laughing while I was in the box
Matt White: You've gotten to play with most for the Braves top prospects in your career, who has impressed you the most so far?
LV Ware: I have two Julio Tehran and Cory Harrilchak, Tehran is just so above the competition its unreal. Definitely a diamond in the rough, and Harrilchak is as professional as they come...the man plays the game correct and has a bright future ahead of him.
Matt White: If you wern't a baseball player what would do?
LV Ware: I think I would want to become a teacher and teach math, I went to college to study accounting and I love numbers.
Matt White: Thats pretty impressive, do you think you would like to coach also?
LV Ware: I definitely would love to coach, not only baseball. I would want to get my hands in on football as well. It was my second love growing up and in high school.
Matt White: Did you ever think about pursuing football instead of baseball?
LV Ware: As I got older I wish I would have stuck with it, I never went back after my sophmore year of high school because I wanted to just focus on baseball. I think I could have been a good corner or safety. I played quarterback and free safety in high school.
Matt White: Other than a love for math is there anything else about you that fans would be surprised to find out?
LV Ware: Honestly not at all.
Matt White: Okay, random pop culture question, if your stuck on a desert island and for some reason you have a solar powered DVD/CD player what 5 discs would you want to have with you?
LV Ware: Law Abiding Citizen, Jay-Z Blueprint, Martin (the tv show), Little Qayne The Carter, The Hangover.
Matt White: Thanks again for letting me pick your brain, I hope you have a fantastic season. I'm sure all our readers will be twitter followers by morning.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Building the Bullpen...
This week Frank Wren and Kenny Williams got together on another trade this past week, the Braves sending minor league pitcher Kyle Cofield to the White Sox for veteran set-up man Scott Linebrink and 3.5 Million dollars. Both GMs seem to like to move quickly and have been known to do the unexpected, the move should help the middle part of the Braves bullpen and will give a veteran presence in an otherwise young pen. Linebrink is one on the books for one year at around 2 million dollars after the White Sox kicked in 3.5 million of the 5.5mm he is owed.
Next the Braves signed free agent George Sherrill to a one year deal at 1.2 million which could end up being a real steal if the former closer preforms like his pre-2010 self. Sherrill struggled through a rough season with the Dodgers after being very effective as the Orioles closer in 2008 and before he was traded to LA in 2009. Will have the ideal environment to regain his form being the number three lefty in the Braves bullpen behind possible closer Jonny Venters and the steady Eric O'Flaherty both in tow.
As of right now the bullpen looks something like this:
Craig Kimbrell- fire balling right hander will compete for closer role.
Jonny Venters- and his nasty slider will be Kimbrell's main competition to close and should be top flight set-up man.
Peter Moylan- Side armer will likely be the main right handed set up man, primarily pitching against right handed hitters.
Eric O'Flaherty- Left specialist will be a key cog again in a division that includes the lefty-heavy Phillies and increasingly left handed Marlins.
Scott Linebrink-Could also fill righty set up role or that of a right handed specialist. If he responds well to the NL as he has in the past could be in a little more high leverage role.
George Sherrill-Lefty will see a lot of time as a situational pitcher similar to O'Flaherty, could work into a higher leverage role if he regains 2009 form.
All the players listed above are almost certain to open the season in the Bullpen, the guys who follow are on the cusp or could see some time in the event of an injury.
Scott Proctor-Worked mainly out of AAA for the Braves last season in his first year off "Tommy John" surgery with disappointing results. Was given a major league guaranteed contract so the brass must have faith that he will return to form.
Christian Martinez- Was reasonably effective as a long man for the Braves last season after being claimed off waivers. Could serve a similar role in 2011.
Stephen Marek- Had an extremely effective year at AAA. Righty could be among first to get the call in the even of an injury.
Brandon Beachy- Will compete for the fifth spot in the rotation with lefty Mike Minor, though because of the all right handed Braves rotation Minor is thought to have the edge. Beachy could be an excellent long man or injury replacement in the rotation.
Corey Gearrin-Side armer could see time if the situation arises, fairly effective in the Arizona Fall League.
Conundrum:
Billy Wagner is still on the Braves 40-man roster. Speculation indicates that this is just a precaution, as he has yet to file retirement paperwork and his vesting option did in fact vest this past season. So should he have a change of heart the Braves would be able to attempt to keep him instead of allowing him to sign anywhere.
Next the Braves signed free agent George Sherrill to a one year deal at 1.2 million which could end up being a real steal if the former closer preforms like his pre-2010 self. Sherrill struggled through a rough season with the Dodgers after being very effective as the Orioles closer in 2008 and before he was traded to LA in 2009. Will have the ideal environment to regain his form being the number three lefty in the Braves bullpen behind possible closer Jonny Venters and the steady Eric O'Flaherty both in tow.
As of right now the bullpen looks something like this:
Craig Kimbrell- fire balling right hander will compete for closer role.
Jonny Venters- and his nasty slider will be Kimbrell's main competition to close and should be top flight set-up man.
Peter Moylan- Side armer will likely be the main right handed set up man, primarily pitching against right handed hitters.
Eric O'Flaherty- Left specialist will be a key cog again in a division that includes the lefty-heavy Phillies and increasingly left handed Marlins.
Scott Linebrink-Could also fill righty set up role or that of a right handed specialist. If he responds well to the NL as he has in the past could be in a little more high leverage role.
George Sherrill-Lefty will see a lot of time as a situational pitcher similar to O'Flaherty, could work into a higher leverage role if he regains 2009 form.
All the players listed above are almost certain to open the season in the Bullpen, the guys who follow are on the cusp or could see some time in the event of an injury.
Scott Proctor-Worked mainly out of AAA for the Braves last season in his first year off "Tommy John" surgery with disappointing results. Was given a major league guaranteed contract so the brass must have faith that he will return to form.
Christian Martinez- Was reasonably effective as a long man for the Braves last season after being claimed off waivers. Could serve a similar role in 2011.
Stephen Marek- Had an extremely effective year at AAA. Righty could be among first to get the call in the even of an injury.
Brandon Beachy- Will compete for the fifth spot in the rotation with lefty Mike Minor, though because of the all right handed Braves rotation Minor is thought to have the edge. Beachy could be an excellent long man or injury replacement in the rotation.
Corey Gearrin-Side armer could see time if the situation arises, fairly effective in the Arizona Fall League.
Conundrum:
Billy Wagner is still on the Braves 40-man roster. Speculation indicates that this is just a precaution, as he has yet to file retirement paperwork and his vesting option did in fact vest this past season. So should he have a change of heart the Braves would be able to attempt to keep him instead of allowing him to sign anywhere.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)