Roster Replacements (non-prospect)
Introduction: Here’s a look at some of the players in the organization who didn’t make the opening day roster but might be called up at some point this season. Many of these players spent time in Atlanta last season and/or were in the running for a roster spot this spring. This list will not include any players who might be termed as “prospects.”
Pitchers
Kenshin Kawakami (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
MLB Experience: 2 years
Age: 36 (on 6/22)
2011 Salary: $6.667 mil
Current Location: AA
History: 8-22 in 50 games (41 starts) with 1 save, a 4.32 ERA, and a 1.395 WHIP over last two seasons.
Notes: Not many K’s, too many walks. HR prone.
The team had hoped to trade him but hasn’t found a partner willing to pay enough of his 2011 salary. Had also hoped that he might accept offer to return to Japan but KK is insistent on staying in MLB. Team waited late to invite him to spring training and his arrival was delayed by travel/visa issues.
He did not pitch well in 5 appearances in spring training, allowing 7 runs (5 earned) on 12 hits and 3 BB with 6 K over 12 innings. He made 2 starts, allowed 2 homers and hit a batter.
Everyone agrees that the Braves drastically overrated KK when signing him out of Japan prior to the 2009 season, but interestingly enough there are differing opinions as to how the Braves have handled him since then.
Most Braves fans are as frustrated with KK as the organization seems to be, and only hope that some team comes along willing to take him off of our hands.
However, there is a knowledgeable section of the fan base that feels like the Braves have treated KK badly. Their view is that that it was the Braves who over hyped KK and set him up for failure. They also say that KK has been mishandled from the start, with the team banishing him to the bullpen, sending him to the minors, and then basically trying to force him to quit.
Finally, this section of the fan base claims that the Braves have greatly damaged their ability to sign players out of Japan with their handling of the situation.
So far in 2011: Made first start at AA on Monday night and took a loss. Allowed 3 runs on 7 hits over 5.2 innings, striking out 3 without walking a batter. He allowed 2 homers and hit a batter.
Outlook: This is a mystery to me. I can’t see a team trading for him and I can’t see him pitching in Atlanta. But is he really going to pitch for AA Mississippi and make $6.667 million?
Rodrigo Lopez (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
MLB Experience: 10 years (missed all of 2001 and 2008)
Age: 35
2011 Salary: NA
Current Location: AAA
History: He sucks. His surprising signing to a minor league deal this winter sent a panic through Braves Country.
Lopez is 75-82 with a 4.85 ERA and a 1.415 WHIP in his career.
His 2010 season was horrendous. He managed to stay in the rotation throughout the season due to the fact that he was pitching on an Arizona staff that was historically awful. He made 33 starts, going 7-16 with a 5.00 ERA, a 1.415 WHIP, and 37 homers allowed in 200 innings. In the field he made 4 errors and allowed base stealers to go 22 for 24 off him.
In his career at the plate, Lopez is 7 for 115 (.078) with no EXBH and 64 K.
Lopez’s best years were from 2002-2005 with Baltimore. He pitched in 131 games, making 112 starts, and going 51-40 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.351 WHIP. Yes, those were his best years.
From 2006 to 2010, Lopez pitched for 4 teams, making 90 appearances, including 81 starts, and going 24-39 with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.471 WHIP, averaging 10.6 H/9 and 1.5 HR/9.
Notes: He is not a strikeout pitcher. He gives up a ton of hits and is very HR prone. He has control problems.
His only value is as an innings eater, but usually he just ends up eating everything else, including his team’s chances.
In 6 appearances this spring, Lopez allowed 13 runs (10 earned) on 19 hits and 9 walks with 21 K over 23.2 innings. He gave up 2 homers. Thankfully he did not pitch well in his last few outings and thus was sent to AAA.
So far in 2011: Won first start of the year, allowing 1 run on 7 hits and 2 walks with 3 K over 6 innings.
Outlook: We can only hope that Lopez stays far away from Turner Field.
Scott Proctor (Reliever)
Pitches: Right Handed
MLB Experience: 6 years (Missed all of 2009)
Age: 34
Salary: NA
Current Location: AAA
History: Made 83 appearances in back to back years, 2006-2007. Injured in 2008, Tommy John surgery. Missed all of 2009. Struggled to come back last season.
Notes: Released at end of spring training and resigned.
2010 at high-A and AAA: 37 games, 6.91 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 11.4 H/9.
6 games with Atlanta in 2010: 5.2 innings, 4 hits, 4 runs, 4 BB, 6 K, 1 HR.
Struggled this spring, making 10 appearances, and allowing 14 runs (6 earned) on 12 hits, 9 walks, and 2 homers with 12 K.
So far in 2011: 1-0 in 2 relief appearances, 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits and a walk with 2 K over 2.1 innings.
Outlook: To be honest, Proctor wasn’t even that great when he was healthy and at his best. But if he can stay healthy he could be useful.
Kris Medlen (Reliever/Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
MLB Experience: 2 years
Age: 25
2011 Salary: Pre-arbitration
Current Location: DL
History: In parts of 2 seasons in Atlanta, Medlen pitched in 68 games, making 18 starts, and posting a 9-7 record with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.278 WHIP. Injured on 8/4/10 and had to undergo Tommy John surgery.
Notes: Great athlete. Good hitter and fielder. Speedy.
So far in 2011: Hasn’t pitched.
Outlook: Will most likely miss all of 2011 season.
Position Players
Jordan Schafer (Outfielder)
Bats: Left Handed
MLB Experience: 1 year (Did not appear in 2010)
Age: 24
2011 Salary: Pre-arbitration
Current Location: AAA
History: Schafer was the breakthrough player of the Braves organization in 2007. As a 3rd year player, Schafer lit it up at low-A and high-A, and was ranked the 25th best prospect in baseball heading into 2008.
But then he was suspended 50 games for violating the drug policy (the infraction reportedly concerned HGH but the details were never made clear). He played in 84 games at AA in 2008 following the suspension and did not fall off the map, posting an .850 OPS.
The next year he made the team out of spring training but he injured his wrist early on and struggled mightily in 50 games, hitting just .204 and slugging .287 with 63 K’s in 167 at bats. His last game was May 31st of 2009.
Various injuries plagued the rest of his ’09 season and derailed his 2010 campaign. He played in only 9 games at AAA in 2009, hitting .229. In 2010 he hit just .201 with 1 homer in 274 at bats between low-A, AA, and AAA.
This spring there was talk (not for the first time) that he was finally healthy, and he hadn’t seemed to have lost any confidence, but he sucked all the same. He hit .167 with 1 homer, 2 BB, and 9 K in 54 at bats.
Notes: Schafer’s biggest problem is that he fans way, way too much. He has some speed but he is not a great base stealer. His defense in center is also suspect.
His attitude also has to come into question at this point. He has always had that misplaced machismo thing going on that some people like to call, “swagger.” For most of us, that sort of thing always looks foolish and immature. When that kind of attitude is combined with failure, it becomes easy to hate.
So far in 2011: 5 for 16 (all singles) with 2 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K, and 1 SB in 2 attempts.
Outlook: I wouldn’t count on him contributing this season; maybe ever.
Diory Hernandez (Utility Infielder)
Bats: Right Handed
MLB Experience: 2 years
Age: 27
2011 Salary: Pre-arbitration
Current Location: AAA
History: Hernandez began his career as a 19-yearold in Rookie ball in 2003. He progressed slowly. In 2007 he was a 23-yearold in AA.
In 2009 he had his best year at AAA, hitting .319 with a .399 OBP in 204 at bats, earning a call up to the majors. In 2010, Hernandez again hit .319, this time with a .344 OBP in 116 at bats, and once again he got a call up to Atlanta (even making an appearance in the postseason).
In 53 games with Atlanta in 2009 and 2010, he hit a combined .138 with 2 homers, 6 BB, 26 K, and 0 SB in 1 attempt in 94 at bats.
This spring Hernandez hit .276 with a .290 OBP in 29 at bats with just 1 BB, 0 homers, and 5 K’s.
It was thought that Hernandez had a good shot to make the roster due to his ability to play short, the fact that he bats right handed, and his experience. However, Brandon Hicks made it ahead of him.
Notes: Hernandez has no power but he is also not fast. Even his glove is iffy.
Hernandez seems to be a slow learner. He has been playing pro ball since 2003, and he still doesn’t seem to have things figured out even in the minors.
For example: in 2007 at high-A and AA, Hernandez was an astonishingly awful 24 for 46 as a base stealer. Yes, I understand that the purpose of the minors is development and figuring out the game, but at this point he was 23 and was in his 5th year of pro ball. Despite these terrible numbers, Hernandez attempted 31 more stolen bases over the next two years in the minors, making it safely only 16 times.
Another example: In 2009, Hernandez finally seemed to get it, posting by far the best BB/PA numbers of his career, on the way to hitting .319 with a .399 OBP and getting a call up to the majors. In 2010, Hernandez again hit .319, but this time he drew just 4 walks in 122 plate appearances and had a .344 OBP.
With no power or speed and an iffy glove, a .344 OBP in the minors is not going to impress anyone. But even worse, the fact that his batting average stayed at .319 while his OBP dropped 55 points suggested that he was still a bit confused as to what he was trying to do at the plate.
So far in 2011: Hernandez has gotten off to a slow start at AAA. He’s 3 for 21 with a double, 4 K’s and no walks.
Outlook: Diory is capable of playing shortstop. Right now that’s about his only use.
Joe Mather (Utility Infielder/Outfielder)
Bats: Right Handed
MLB Experience: 2 years (Did not appear in 2009)
Age: 29 (on 7/23)
2011 Salary: Pre-arbitration
Current Location: AAA
History: If the signing of Lopez this winter sent the fan base into a panic, the signing of Mather had me sharpening my knife and preparing to cut on myself. It wasn’t so much Mather as it was what the Braves were prepared to do with him that had me frightened.
It took Mather 6 years to reach AA at the age of 24. By that point he had minor league pitching pretty well figured out. In 2007 he hit 31 homers and posted an .879 OPS at AA and AAA. The following season he hit .303/.411/.630/.1.041 with 17 homers in 59 games at AAA, earning a trip up to St. Louis.
All things considered, Mather handled himself well in his first stint in the Big’s, hitting .241/.306/.474/.780 with 8 homers, 1 SB in 1 attempt, 12 BB, and 32 K in 133 at bats over 54 games. Unfortunately, a left wrist injury sidelined Mather for the final month of the season.
In many ways, Mather’s career peaked during his 2008 debut. He was the last man cut in spring training the following year and injuries hampered his 2009 season. In three leagues that season Mather hit just .188 with a .573 OPS over 202 at bats.
He came back to life somewhat in 2010, hitting .275 with 10 homers and a .790 OPS in 335 at bats during 91 games at AAA, and then got another call to the majors. This time, however, Mather was overmatched. In 36 games with the Cards last year, Mather got 60 at bats and hit just .217/.242/.283/.525 with no homers, 2 BB, 11 K, and 1 SB in 2 attempts.
Mather was signed off waivers by the Braves this offseason and he figured to be a lock to make the opening day roster, as the Braves were desperate for a right handed bat/utility man. However, Mather played his way off the roster. He hit just .145 with a .217 OBP, zero homers, 4 BB, 15 K, and 1 SB in 55 at bats.
Much to my surprise and delight, the Braves did the right thing and released Mather. I was not at all surprised when he cleared waivers and accepted a spot at AAA.
Notes: Mather can essentially play every position on the field, but as I’ve said several times before, you don’t want him manning any position for you.
It’s not his defense that is the problem. He seems to be a decent defender all-around. He just can’t hit good pitching. He’s not good against right handers or left handers.
Mather showed pop and was a decent base stealer in the minors, but it hasn’t carried over to the majors.
Much of the small success Mather has had in the majors has been due to his dedication. He’s certainly a “gamer” and a guy you can root for. But he’s not a major leaguer.
In my opinion, Mather is a guy who just figured out how to hit minor league pitching. You can’t just figure out how to hit major league pitching. You have to have the talent.
After the injuries and closing in on the age of 29, Mather can’t even dominate in the minors anymore.
My concern with Mather was that he would be some kind of roving spot starter for the Braves against left handed pitching, and I believe he would have been just that if Bobby were still managing.
As long as Mather is strictly a right handed bat off the bench I have no problem. He would be harmless and might even be an upgrade over the current situation.
So far in 2011: Just as you’d expect, Mather has gotten right back on the horse at AAA. He is 7 for 21 with 2 doubles, an RBI, 5 K, no walks, and 1 SB in 2 attempts.
Outlook: I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Mather in Atlanta this summer.
Ed Lucas (Utility Infielder/Outfielder)
Bats: Right Handed
MLB Experience: None
Age: 29 (on 5/21)
2011 Salary: Pre-arbitration
Current Location: AAA
History: Lucas is a career minor leaguer. A Dartmouth alumnus (good sign), Lucas was drafted in the 8th round of the 2004 draft by the Kansas City Royals (bad sign).
Lucas moved slowly but steadily up the ranks. At AAA in 2010, Lucas played in 99 games and hit .307/.398/.480/.878 in 352 at bats with 13 homers, 52 BB, 68 K, and 7 SB in 8 attempts.
The Braves signed Lucas to a minor league deal and brought him to camp this spring. He went 11 for 44 to hit .250 with a .327 OBP, 0 homers, 5 BB, and 9 K.
Notes: Lucas has some pop and is a decent base stealer. He has good discipline at the plate.
He can play every position in the field other than pitcher and catcher and seems to be adequate defensively.
So far in 2011: Lucas is 4 for 16 with a double, 3 RBI, 4 BB, and 6 K so far at AAA.
Outlook: I doubt we will see Lucas anytime soon baring injuries. However, a have a hunch that he could be a useful September call-up.
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