SB Nation - Macay McBride

The Braves like to trade first round draft picks

gondeee — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:00:13 -0000

Are you a big fan of Jason Heyward? How about Cody Johnson? Do you think they'll be in an Atlanta Braves uniform one day? And for how long? Since 2000, how many first round picks would you say the Braves still have in their organization? Counting first rounders and supplemental first rounders here is a list:

2000 - 2 first rounders, 2 supplemental - Adam Wainwright traded to the Cardinals
2001 - 2 first rounders, 1 supplemental - Macay McBride traded to the Tigers, Richard Lewis traded to the Cubs
2002 - 1 first, 1 supplemental - Jeff Francoeur traded to the Mets, Dan Meyer to the Athletics
2003 - 2 supplemental - Luis Atilano traded to the Nationals, Jarrod Saltalamacchia to the Rangers
2004 - no first rounders
2005 - 1 first, 1 supplemental - Joey Devine traded to the Athletics, Beau Jones to the Rangers
2006 - 1 first, 2 supplemental - no trades, but Steve Evarts has already been released
2007 - 1 first, 1 supplemental - Jon Gilmore traded to the White Sox

Of all the first rounders and supplemental first rounders we've drafted since 2000, only one, Kelly Johnson, is still in the majors with Atlanta, and he is on the disabled list. Furthermore, he and Chipper Jones (1990) are the only ones still in the organization of those first rounders drafted before 2006. From 2000 to 2007, 10 of the Braves 18 first round picks were traded!

I'm not sure if there is any analysis that can be gleaned from this list, other than the fact that the Braves certainly aren't afraid to use their prospects to acquire major league talent. I'm not all that familiar with other organization's minor league talent, but I would posit that there isn't another organization that comes close to trading away more than 50% of their first round picks over the course of nine years.

Morning Prowl: Porcello's Finger, Zumaya Plays Catch, and Chipper Hates Toronto

Ian Casselberry — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:00:16 -0000

Rick Porcello got through his bullpen session without re-opening the cut on his right index finger, so he'll make his scheduled start tomorrow against the New York Yankees.

Speaking of Porcello, he and Ryan Perry (who looked good again last night) are on Jon Heyman's list of 34 rookies to watch. Heyman also has a couple of other Tigers notes in the column.

(via The Cutoff Man)

Joel Zumaya played catch yesterday, flinging it 60 feet. If everything feels okay today, he'll move it out to 90 feet. Another pain-free session could have him on track to throw off a mound by the beginning of next week.

Macay McBride was outrighted to Toledo yesterday. With an opening now on Detroit's 40-man roster, Billfer wonders what's next for one of three relievers looking for a spot. Take 75 North has the same question.

By the way, Matt also explains the differences between outrighting, reassigning, and optioning players to the minors, which I know I needed some help with.

Walkoff Walk has its AL Central preview. They don't think much of the division overall, but have the Tigers right there until the end.

This isn't Tigers-related, unless you think of familiar shoulder injuries while reading it, but Jeff Passan's feature on Mark Prior's recovery from continuing shoulder issues - and the mechanics that were once deemed flawless - is worth a read.

I've never been a Chipper Jones fan, but his comments about Toronto bothered me. Maybe Larry was mad he couldn't see Donny & Marie, and just couldn't enjoy one of North America's best cities. As you might imagine, Toronto bloggers were a bit ticked off by this.

Finally, thanks to everyone who participated in the Spring Game Thread last night. Not a bad turnout for a preseason game being played while the NCAA basketball tournament (and a local team) was on. I think we're going to have a fun season.

Morning Prowl: Losers, Monsters, All-Invitees, and Andrew Miller

Ian Casselberry — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:00:11 -0000

Newsday's Ken Davidoff has listed his Winners and Losers of the offseason, and has Detroit ranked second in the latter category. In his eyes, the Tigers "barely got up from their sofa."

ESPN.com's Matthew Berry thinks very highly of Miguel Cabrera as a fantasy baseball player, saying he's due for "a monster, monster year."

Scott Williamson, who pitched a scoreless inning yesterday, is on Jayson Stark's All-Invited to Spring Training Team.

Macay McBride is being held back from the throwing schedule the Tigers had him on, according to Jon Paul Morosi. Jim Leyland wants him to build up his stamina as a starting pitcher, but that would probably put McBride on track for the minors, and he's out of options.

Have you found yourself wondering how Andrew Miller is doing with the Florida Marlins? MLB.com's Joe Frisaro writes that the former Tiger is working on a more consistent delivery, one in which he doesn't throw across his body.

Over at FanGraphs, Eric Seidman has been evaluating past trades using Win Values. In a follow-up article, one of the deals he looks at is the infamous John Smoltz-for-Doyle Alexander trade.

If you needed a reminder about the selection order for the MLB Draft, Baseball America posted an updated list (factoring in the compensation picks for Juan Cruz and Orlando Cabrera). The Tigers have the ninth pick in the first round.

(via MLB Trade Rumors)