I admit, I have been pretty tough on the Bravos since starting the blog. I believe that is my responsibility as a true fan. Another responsibility is looking for the bright spots, and right now, there are a lot. This is a team that makes me excited to be a Braves fan. When this team wins, it feels good. It feels good like it did in the early 90′s when no one expected it. But when they loose, it hurts. It hurts more because I can see all the pieces are there, but sometimes mistakes are made or its jut bad luck and those losses hurt. Today I am going to focus on the bright spots. After the incredible road trip, this team deserves big kudos.
As I look at the team, the first bright spot I see is the pitching. This club is DEEP with pitching. Four out of Five starters look great. For the most part, the bullpen is much improved and add in the roles of Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, as closers and this team can be lights out on any given night.
Lets look a little deeper. Odds are the by June, Tom Glavine will be the new 5th starter. That could move Jo-Jo Reyes to the bullpen to replace a younger and less experienced arm. Jorge Campillo will also return to the bullpen around the same time. This shift could be a huge boost for what may be this team’s weakest link.
You also have to consider the players who are sitting available in Gwinnett. First there is Kris Medlen who is 5-0 with an ERA of .096. Next on my radar is Charlie Morton who is looking great at 4-2 so far with an ERA hanging right around 3.00. I know lots of people are calling for Tommy Hanson, but I honestly think he can use this year at Gwinnett to vastly improve his game. He is ready for the big show, but I don’t see the need to rush him unless injuries in Atlanta force the team to make a move.
Last, we cannot forget about the August return of Tim Hudson. His return could be a spark to the team needed to close out the season leading the division. I even heard him make a statement this past Saturday on the Braves radio broadcast that I found amazing. He stated that he is willing to do WHATEVER it takes to help this team win, and that includes moving from a starter role and into a bullpen role. I thought this was the perfect statement to make. He is showing his dedication in being open to a move like that. I just hope some of the current starters in Atlanta and in Gwinnett feel the same way and are willing to make the same move.
Moving on to the offense, I am convinced that the Braves have the potential to compete with any team in baseball when it comes to producing runs. All that the Braves need to do is to get a little more consistent.
Catcher: Brian McCann is proving that the glasses are helping and he is the big bat that the braves have needed. He needs to be filling the clean-up spot every game.
First base: Casey Kotchman is, hands down, one of the most reliable hitters in the game today. Combine his consistency with some good power and you have what should be the #5 batter every day.
Second Base: Things are a little more tricky here. Kelly Johnson has moments of greatness but I really believe that he is being out hit my Omar Infante. Either one of these guys can bat lead-off, I would like to see them in a R/L platoon this season.
Shortstop: Yunel Escobar is the total package. He currently has the best batting average with runners in scoring position, I just want to see him step up his hustle a bet. This guy is good and he knows it. I like the swagger, but lose a little of the ego. Keep hitting 2nd.
Third Base: Chipper Jones. Enough Said.
Right Field: Jeff Francoeur has really picked up from last season. he is still not showing the power that people suspected he would have so don’t expect 30 homeruns. He may hit 15-20 but the big improvement will be clutch hitting. Sac flies, and good at bats are key for him. I like him batting 6th right now
Center Field: I am not riding the Jordan Schafer boat right now. I think he is a little too raw and could benefit from a stent in Gwinnett. The question is who replaces him. Greg Norton is the obvious choice but I am not sure if it is the best choice. Another option would be bringing Gregor Blanco up from Gwinnett, but my favorite choice would be a little more unconventional. Martin Prado, Omar Infante, and Kelly Johnson are all capable of playing center field. It’s a risk but it could pay off huge. Pick one or rotate the three
Left Field. This one is simple, Matt Diaz. batting 7th.
Finally, there is the bench. If anything was proven in yesterday’s game at the Mets, it was that our bench can really hold their own. This team is looking very bright….where are my shades?
Ok guys, lets hear your thoughts. Also don’t forget to go check out The Warning Track’s latest podcast. you can find them in my links or on iTunes, just search for The Warning Track Radio.
Enjoy the off day today and we will see you tomorrow at The Ted to kick off a long home stand with a series against the Arizona D-Backs.
Kevin,
Thanks for the shout out! Man, I agree with ya… even though I’ll probably be bitching next week about something.
The craziest thing to me is the whole Prado, Infante, KJ thing… in my opinion they should all be starting every day, and there’s no room. I guess that’s a good problem to have. I wouldn’t mind seeing Infante in CF, but (unlike lots of folks) I’m a huge Blanco fan, and I thought that he should been our starting center fielder to begin with.
***How bout trading Yunel and KJ for a powerhouse 30+ HR stud, and throwing Infante at SS and Prado at 2B? That’s probably too extreme. That would never happen!
As far as Glavine coming back… I’m not too crazy about it. I mean, yeah, like Chris said, he’s better than JoJo. Not that they would do this, because it’s Glavine, but I just wish they would bring up Hanson now and put him in the 5th spot and throw Glavine a farewell party.
** Side note, I got depressed last night when I saw Elvis Andruws on Sportscenter’s “Top 10 Plays”, make the sickest play at SS I’ve ever seen. I hate Mark Texiera
– Josh
i believe a trade of kj and bennett and anderson would bring alot. although i think trading yunnie would be a huge mistake. aren’t the managers and front office people supposed to make the moves to help the team win, but yet they settle on jo-jo when we got a rotation ful of guys in the minors. jo-jo may have had good numbers in the minors, but he has shown no competence of pitching in the majors. when hanson and medlan have both drawn the praise of pitchers like don sutton, likening hanson to a young john smoltz. that’s all i’s need to hear coming from a hall of fame pitcher. i think schafer will be a great player in the future, but was brought up much to early. i guess he’s starting to come off the effects of the h-g-h
I am not really feeling trading Escobar, but I can see trading KJ and Anderson for another pitcher. I think it is just silly to be sitting on talent like Infante and Diaz and not using them. Either one could be an everyday starter for any other team.
At the same time, Infante is heir to Chippers throne at third base. So I dont like trading him. But this is a business where you cant get too attached to guys. Some move should be made though.
i completely agree about kotchman being a great hitter. he may not have shown it last year after the trade, but i said all along that he just needed to figure out nl pitchers. obviously it’s the same with anderson as well. but i do agree that anderson needs to show a little more effort. it’s like he refuses to get his uni dirty.
I really think Anderson is just going through the motions at this point. He is at the end of his career and he already knew Kotchman, so he took the offer to come to Atlanta, I just dont think he is a good fit.
Ok, now I take the Yunel thing back. I was all jacked up on coffee this morning when I wrote that.
Can somebody say…. HELLLLOOOO MEDLAN!!!!! GOODBYE YOYO!!! .96 ERA, 5-0
Hello first place, how are you?
- Josh