Thoughts from the Future's Game

smscardinals1 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:26:58 -0000

I had the opportunity to go to the Future's Game on an absolutely horrible Sunday for a game. Being a Braves fan, I figured most of the readers might not have had the opportunity to attend the game so I figured I would recap some of it. I'll also throw some random thoughts in there.

- Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the World batting practice. I did get to see Team USA's though. The most impressive performances were non other than Jason Heyward and former Brave Tyler Flowers.

- Heyward didn't have a wasted swing during BP. He hit everything hard. He rarely had a pop up, maybe 1 or 2 during the whole session. He used the whole field. He also produced some light-tower homeruns that had fans gasping for breath. Hitting into the 2nd deck at Busch and a few rows over te bullpen is something for a 19 year old with a wood bat. Overall he was extremely impressive, and had all of the fans talking.

- Flowers put on a monster display of power. Ironically, he only pulled a couple of homeruns. Every homerun was to centerfied or rightcenter. They were abosolute shots. Halfway up the green grass in center and deep up in the rows to right center. The STL fans were pretty happy with the way he hit.

- Michael Stanton had a good BP session. He did pull everything and hit his fair share of pop flys, but he hit 2 of the longest homeruns I have ever seen during BP in St. Louis. They landed in the top row over the bullpen in left center. They were moonshots.

- Tillman and Matusz were hanging around in the outfield and rarely through a ball to the stands. A little kid next to me was asking for a ball right next to me. Matusz looked right at him, and in turn, through it to an old ass guy wearing an Orioles hat. I felt bad for the kid, but I guess it happens all the time.

- During the autograph session, Barbaro, who is huge, signed my litle Baseball America book and gave me a wink for the Braves jersey I had on. He seems like a really nice guy, and I'm really rooting for him. I tried getting Feliz to sign my book as well, but I really don't think he understands English. He didn't look up once. Oh well.

- Heyward stood behind the dugout and only signed balls that were thrown to him. I'm sure this had to do with the swarm of people around him. It was like kids just throwing balls hoping he would sign. I was hoping he wasn't going to get hit.

- During the god-awful 4 hour rain delay, Brad Lincoln, Matt Latos, and Kyle Drabek became fan favorites by going out and throwing a frizbee in the light rain. All eyes were on them during the 3rd hour of the rain delay. I'm sure all 3 GM's were holding their breath as they were running in the outfield playing catch.

- On a side note, Kyle Drabek and Neftali Feliz looked really good during the game. Drabek makes me nervous pitching for the Phils, but he's speculation to Halladay rumors zo he could be traded. Feliz is a bitter sweet thing. I root for him, but at the same time, I hope he's not a perennial cy young winner in spite.

There are my thoughts. I hope it wasn't too long, but I thought some fans might enjoy this. Go Braves, as always.

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Thoughts from the Future's Game