SB Nation User Blog: abravesfan

Matt Esquivel Released

abravesfan — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:50:30 -0000

From Baseball America:

Atlanta Braves
Released: OF Matt Esquivel
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Matt Esquivel

Esquivel, 24, was sent home by the Braves in each of the last two seasons for persistent disciplinary issues. He hit 19 home runs for Double-A Mississippi in just 372 at-bats in 2007, though his Southern League batting line is .251/.327/.427 over two (partial) seasons.

BA Braves Top 10

abravesfan — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:08:34 -0000

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/265139.html

Jordan Schafer, of
Jason Heyward, of
Jair Jurrjens, rhp
Brandon Jones, of
Gorkys Hernandez, of
Brent Lillibridge, ss
Cole Rohrbough, lhp
Jeff Locke, lhp
Tommy Hanson, rhp
Julio Teheran, rhp

My thoughts: Teheran is too high when you could have put guys like Devine, Cody Johnson, or Evarts in the 10 spot. Brandon Jones could have been anywhere from 1-4, but BA likes upside so I guess its not that surprising. Think Gorkys is too high, but again this is BA. Love Locke getting the look at #8.

BA on Schafer, Rohrbough, Pope, Campbell

abravesfan — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:40:53 -0000

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/hotsheet/264796.html

9. Jordan Schafer, of, high Class A Myrtle Beach (Braves)

Don't underestimate the power of Schafer, who had one of the best seasons in the minors and improved his stock in the Braves' system to become a shoe-in Top 10 pick in the 2008 Prospect Handbook. Schafer, who turned 21 today, had a very Grady Sizemore-like year in the Carolina League, batting .294/.354/.477 with 10 homers, 43 RBIs, 70 runs scored and 19 steals. Schafer wound up leading the minors in hits (176), and ranked among the overall leaders in doubles, extra-base hits and total bases.

18. Cole Rohrbough, lhp, low Class A Rome (Braves)

Rohrbough, a draft and follow pick in 2006, burst onto the scene in 2007 with Rookie-level Danville where he completely shut down Appalachian League hitters. In 33 innings he went 3-2, 1.08 with 58 strikeouts.
He was promoted to low Class A Rome on August 5 and went 2-0, 1.29 in 28 innings with 38 strikeouts to give him a 5-2, 1.17 line for the season.

Eric Campbell, 3b, high Class A Myrtle Beach (Braves) Van Pope, 3b, Double-A Mississippi (Braves)

No one in the minors received worse reports from scouts and field staff than Campbell this season. A solid third baseman with the ability to hit for average and power, Campbell isn't one to push himself to the limits and will probably never reach his ultimate ceiling. "The kid can hit, but he doesn't run--he doesn't hustle or bust his ass--for anybody," a scout from a National League club said earlier this year. Campbell was sent home from Hawaii Winter Baseball last season, and the Braves placed him on the suspended list and sent him home again three weeks ago. "He just doesn't give you anything," says one Carolina League manager. "It's frustrating, because he has all kinds of ability, but no heart. It makes you wonder if he even enjoys the game. I don't think he does."

In 298 at-bats this season for the Pelicans, Campbell hit just .221/.312/.406. The power numbers (14 homers, 13 doubles) were there, as was the plate discipline. Campbell just doesn't want to work hard. And that's not good for a guy Atlanta gave $500,000 as a second-round pick in 2004.

Pope is a completely different story, and lacking heart was anything but his problem en route to a season where he hit .223/.298/.340 in 421 at-bats at Double-A Mississippi. The M-Braves play in Pearl, Miss., a suburb of Pope's hometown of Jackson, and there was a large contingent of Pope supporters for every home game to root him on. The 23-year-old started pressing early, fell in a hole with his swing and never dug his way out. Managers who saw him hit .263 with 15 home runs in the CL last season predict a breakout year for Pope next season, but if he returns to Mississippi, he might want to put a limit on his friends and family who make it out to Trustmark Park.

Braves' Max Ramirez to Cleveland for Bob Wickman

abravesfan — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 18:33:22 -0000

for those that like links
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2525138

personally seems pretty fair, Ramirez wasn't gonna play catcher ahead of McCann or Salty, and might not end up at catcher (he's DH-ed a lot this year). He used to play third, but we got Campbell at the same level so again blocked. Wickman will help, we will see how much, but certainly almost seems a steal considering the relief market, even if in true value its pretty even

Jeff Francoeur Called Up: Braves forced to consolidate minor league teams due to lack of players

abravesfan — Thu, 07 Jul 2005 01:26:51 -0000

Man they just keep getting younger

Thoughts? I think its still about a season too early, patience is still lacking, though who knows, they love this kid. He's done alright at AA, replacing Jordan as he hits the DL with chronic knee inflamation or something or another (also known as we shoulda just played the rooks from the start in the OF)

BRIAN MCCANN Called up to Atlanta- Braves keep getting younger

abravesfan — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 16:36:14 -0000

First Davies, Johnson, Marte made his ML Debut last night, now McCann gets the call, we are really suffering through injuries but can't say there are any other guys i'd like to have in the minors if your SP, 3B, and C go down- still crazy to see the Braves get so young so fast

Roster includes the following rooks:
Brayan Pena
Langerhans
Kelly Johnson
Pete Orr
McCann
Davies
Marte
Betemit

Simply Amazing, makes you wonder if they have Chuck James on speed dial just in case :0)

Garrett

Kelly Johnson called up, to start in LF for Braves today

abravesfan — Sun, 29 May 2005 16:41:12 -0000

Kelly Johnson finally got the call, will start today for the Braves in LF and bat 3rd! in the lineup. Evidentally Mondesi is hurt, but his play was painful enough that this callup is long overdue. Any predictions on how KJ will fare? I must say I'm suprised they are throwing him in the 3 hole in his first major league start. Langerhans is playing RF, giving the braves quite the homegrown lineup.

Garrett