There has been a lot going down since my last post about 5 days ago, so I am just going to jump right in. I will cover a few topics here and I look forward to seeing your thoughts in the comments.
This past Friday I attended my second game of the season. All in all it was a good game even though the D-Backs managed to tie it up in the 9th, and then allowing for some clutch Atlanta hitting to get the win. What I noticed most was the vibe at Turner Field. It was completely different from when I attended a day game a few weeks ago. The crowd Friday night stayed in the game. There was an excitement in the air that seems to have been missing for some time. Maybe it was because of the great road trip, but whatever the reason, I hope that the fans keep it up.
So it is official, Kris Medlen will be replacing Jo-Jo Reyes on the back end of the starting rotation. Medlen has been extremely impressive at AAA Gwinnett so far this season. He has appeared in 8 games and has started 6. His official record is 5-0 with an ERA of 1.19. In over 37 innings of work, he has only allowed 20 hits, 5 runs, 10 walks and has struck out 44 batters. Medlen has been able to thrive under the radar of the media and most fans due to the popularity of Braves top prospect Tommy Hanson, whom most people expected to see on the Braves roster by this summer.
The call up of Medlen will force Jo-Jo Reyes into a role that he has never experienced, the role of a reliever. Personally I feel that this may be the best place for Reyes who can be dominant for three or four innings at a time but is very susceptible to having one bad inning after performing consistently the innings prior. The Braves will be forced to move a player to the minors in order to make room on the 25-man roster for Medlen. As it stands at the moment, the most likely candidates would be Jeff Bennett or Buddy Carlyle. These moves are also dependant upon if either player would have to clear waivers. I imagine that the Braves are not going to test the Waiver Wire right now so I would expect them to move a player who has remaining options, so a move other than Bennett or Carlyle would not shock me. (If anyone has access to or knows where to get information regarding players waiver status and minor league options, please let me know)
In other areas, the platoon of Omar Infante and Kelly Johnson at second base continues to be successful. I am typically not a fan of platoon situations but as you have read I am behind them this season for the Braves. KJ has been slumping a bit as of late and Infante continues to swing a hot bat. By giving both good playing time, it allows for Johnson to make the adjustments needed to become more successful at the plate while still allowing the Braves to take advantage of Infante.
There are two other areas I would really like to see some platoon play this year with the first beinf in left field. The numbers show that Garrett Anderson is just not producing but at the same time Matt Diaz exhibits great clutch hitting and defense. I have said time and time again that Diaz would be an every day player in any other franchise. Get him in the game and let him produce like he does.
Finally I want to see some sort of platoon in center field. Jordan Schafer is a talented young player and he really brings a defensive excellence to the position that has been missing since the departure of Andruw Jones, but behind the plate Schafer is seriously lacking. He has shown great patience but he has also shown difficulties hitting pitching at the Major League level. By placing him in a platoon situation, the Braves may be able to limit their losses with him at the plate while still being able to give him opportunity to improve.
So what are your thoughts?
Medlan: I, like everyone else, is excited about Medlan. I hope his numbers and stamina can carry over to the next level. As far as making room for him on the roster, I expect them to send Buddy or Bennett down, but I think they should send JoJo down. He’s just never impressed me. Buddy and Bennett are better mid-relievers (in my opinion… poor Buddy’s had some bad luck with grand slams).
As far as platoon ideas… I do see it working… I’m just old-school and tend to write off platoons just at the sight of them. I think KJ is going to be trade bait… while KJ has more pop in the bat… Omar and Martin are consistent, and I think are better everyday players. Trade bait!
LF: I think getting Anderson was a moot point, and I was mad when we got him, because I knew that Diaz wouldn’t get what he deserves. He hasn’t done anything the Diaz can’t do. I think Wren and management were under so much pressure to find that “power bat”. I do think he is a good player… but I think Diaz is better, plays harder, cares more, hustles more, and it frustrates me that a guy with an insanely high batting avg the past two years (especially 2007) is a utility/platoon player. Diaz would be a starting LF for any other team… but Bobby is obsessed with the lefty vs. righty/platoon thing. AND, I think, if given the chance, he has more “power” than Anderson anyways.
Schafer: I’m as frustrated as the next guy. But, I am choosing to be in the “give the kid a chance” camp. Numbers like his (at the plate) are not uncommon AT ALL for rookies who go on to be greats. Look at Pedroia (had an awful first 2 months, then won Rookie of the Year), Mike Schmidt, Tom Glavine. He’s hitting at the #8 spot, and (with the exception of the last two games) I think that we have enough offense around him to win, and obviously his defense is untouchable. But, with that said, I do think that sitting him for a week and starting Infante at CF would be a good idea.
I usually tend to disregard platoon play also but in our case I think we have to much invested in the set “starters” and the guys on the bench are playing to a level that meets or exceeds the “starters” so a platoon is a good way to get everyone some good time and exposure and hopefully the Braves benefit from it.
I agree that KJ “could be” trade bait but I am not quite sure that I like the idea. The only reason why is being that Infante is the heir apparent to 3rd base. Chipper is only going to be playing a few more years, plus he is injury prone, so I like to see Infante available for that position instead of being the full time 2nd baseman if KJ gets traded. I am still not completely convinced that Prado is the man for the job either.
Regarding Garrett Anderson, I think the Braves need to realize that he IS NOT the power bat that they were looking for. He does not even seem to be a contact hitter on most days. I want to see Diaz in there full time. Diaz plays with heart, has decent speed, has a better arm, and consistently makes good contact with the ball.
I admit I am getting frustrated by the Schafer situation. I know he has all the makings of a great player, and I can deal with seeing him bat 8th every day if he can keep up the defensive play. I see a gold glove or two for him in his future.
Yeah, you’re right about Infante and 3B. I’m 50/50 (depending on the day or the game) about Prado being at 2B. KJ’s just too streaky.