The Braves Blog: Roster Guide Update Part IX

Roster Guide Update Part IX: Others

This edition of the roster guide update will cover position players in the organization who are having good years and were not mentioned in the April preview.

Position Players

Antoan Richardson (Left Field/Center Field)

Bats: Right Handed

Age: 27

Experience: 7^th season

Drafted/Signed: by Baltimore in 27^th round of 2001 draft (did not sign), by Baltimore in 27^th round of 2002 draft (did not sign), by Arizona in 13^th round of 2004 draft (did not sign), by Giants in 35^th round of 2005 draft.

Current Level: AA

Notes: Richardson is a veteran minor leaguer with a lot of speed and zero power. Richardson played for Vandy in 2004 and 2005, batting .246 in 395 at bats with just 4 homers, 61 BB, and 76 K. He stole 50 bases in 61 attempts. Richardson really impressed in the 2005 Arizona Fall League, hitting .321/.465/.378/.843 with 44 BB and 43 K in 193 at bats. He also stole 40 bags in 46 tries.

He advanced steadily through the Giants minor league system in 2006, 2007, and 2008, but in 2009 he got off to a slow start at AA. At 25, Richardson found himself playing in an independent league. He started out 2010 in an independent league as well before being purchased by the Braves.

Last year he hit .279/.393/.316/.709 in 272 at bats at AA, with 41 BB, 47 K, and 24 SB in 27 attempts. He played errorless ball in center field, notching 2 assists. In just 7 games at AAA, Richardson went 7 for 25 with 5 BB, 9 K, and 3 SB in 3 attempts.

2011: Richardson has spent almost all of this season at AA Mississippi. In 2 games at AAA he went 1 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout. At AA Richardson has hit .306/.444/.321/.765 in 134 at bats with just 2 doubles, 0 triples, 0 homers, and 9 RBI. He has scored 34 runs, drawn 29 BB against 33 K, and stole 8 bases in 9 tries. He has also notched 5 HBP and 9 SH. In the outfield he has committed 1 error and has not assists.

Geraldo Rodriguez (First Base/Left Field/Right Field)

Bats: Right Handed

Age: 23

Experience: 6^th season

Drafted/Signed: by Yankees out of DR.

Current Level: Advanced-A

Notes: Rodriguez has always shown great power but hasn’t yet been able to make contact consistently enough. After 2 years playing in the GCL for the Yanks, Rodriguez came to the Braves system in 2008 and played the entire year at Danville, hitting .253/.310/.507/.817 with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 13 homers, 31 runs, 49 RBI, 17 BB, and 67 K over 221 at bats.

He began 2009 at low-A, hitting .258/.301/.475/.776 with 9 doubles, 5 triples, 11 homers, 29 runs, 42 RBI, 12 BB, and 69 K over 240 at bats. Rodriguez was promoted to advanced-A and for whatever reason he performed better at that level the rest of the year, hitting .281/.331/.500/.831 with 9 doubles, 2 triples, 12 homers, 34 runs, 41 RBI, 15 BB, and 72 K in 224 AB. Overall in 2009, the 21 year old Rodriguez hit .269/.315/.487/.802 with 18 doubles, 7 triples, 23 homers, 63 runs, 83 RBI, 27 BB, 141 K, and 8 SB in 10 attempts over 464 at bats. Obviously the walk rate and the strikeout rate had to change, but the other numbers were promising, particularly after his surge to finish the year at Advanced-A.

Rodriguez spent all of 2010 at advanced-A, and perhaps not surprisingly his rate stats came back down to their normal level. In 320 at bats, Rodriguez hit .253/.312/.447/.759 with 15 doubles, 4 triples, 13 homers, 50 runs, 53 RBI, 26 BB, 110 K, and 5 SB in 10 attempts.

2011: Rodriguez began the season at AA, hitting .224/.293/.448/.741 with 6 doubles, 3 homers, 11 runs, 5 RBI, 3 BB, and 23 K in 67 at bats. He moved back down to advanced-A and has hit .250/.336/.490/.826 with 12 runs, 22 RBI, 6 doubles, 6 homers, 10 BB, and 39 K in 100 AB.

Overall he has hit .240/.319/.473/.792 with 23 runs, 27 RBI, 12 doubles, 9 homers, 13 BB, and 62 K in 167 AB. Rodriguez has made 1 error at first base and 2 in the OF, and he has 1 OF assist.

He is still striking out way too much and not taking enough walks. While he has continued to rise up the levels, he really hasn’t improved much in 6 years.

LV Ware (Left Field/Center Field/Right Field)

Bats: Right Handed

Age: 24

Experience: 4^th season

Drafted/Signed: by Cubs in 20^th round of 2005 draft (did not sign), by Braves as “draft and follow” in 43^rd round of 2006 draft.

Current Level: Advanced-A

Notes: Ware is a bright, likeable, engaging kid who once played for the USA National Team. He is a great defensive player and he has some speed. Unfortunately he has really struggled at the plate and has been slowed by injury during his career. He went to JC, was injured his sophomore season, had rotator cuff surgery the following November, and played for South Carolina in 2007.

His first year of pro ball was in 2008 at Danville, where he hit .272/.323/.403/.727 with 11 doubles, 6 triples, 3 homers, 42 runs, 33 RBI, 11 BB, 57 K, and 13 SB in 14 attempts in 243 at bats. He started 2009 at Danville and then got promoted after hitting .293/.342/.398/.740 with 12 BB, 39 K, and 24 SB in tries in 249 at bats. He did not hit a homer at Danville. He did hit 1 homer at low-A but that was the lone bright spot, as he went 6 for 46 with just 2 BB and 14 K.

Last season he split time at low-A, advanced-A, and AA, with mixed reviews at each stop. He hit just .222/.298/.294/.592 with 1 homer, 8 BB, 27 K, and 16 SB in 20 tries in 126 at bats at low-A. He spent the majority of the season at advanced-A, hitting .253/.319/.365/.684 with 3 homers, 17 BB, and 62 K in 233 at bats. He was just 11 for 19 in SB attempts. He played 7 games at AA Mississippi, going 9 for 25 with 2 BB, 2 K, and 3 SB in 3 attempts. Combined in 2010, Ware hit .250/.321/.352/.672 with 61 runs, 35 RBI, 15 doubles, 6 triples, 4 homers, 27 BB, 91 K, 30 SB in 42 attempts, 15 HBP, 13 SH, and 4 SF in 384 at bats.

2011: Playing the entire season so far at Lynchburg, Ware has had a very encouraging year at the plate and a spectacular year in the field. He is hitting .265/.341/.429/.770 with 13 doubles, 3 triples, 4 homers, 24 runs, 15 RBI, 12 BB, and 51 K in 189 AB.

He has just 11 SB in 16 tries, and his OBP is helped by 11 HBP, but the increased power is none the less encouraging. Moreover, Ware has made just 1 error and racked up 9 assists playing all three outfield positions.

Keenan Wiley (Left Field/Center Field/Right Field)

Bats: Left Handed

Age: 24

Experience: 2^nd season

Drafted/Signed: as undrafted FA by Braves in 2010.

Current Level: Advanced-A

Notes: Wiley spent 5 years at the University of Kentucky and was a 4-year starter for the Wildcats. He went undrafted and the Braves picked him up after he posted some impressive stats in an independent league last year. He went 22 for 67 to hit .328 with a .384 OBP at Danville.

2011: Wiley has had a solid year playing at Rome and Lynchburg, hitting a combined .296/.350/.381/.730 with 33 runs, 17 RBI, 4 doubles, 6 triples, 8 SB in 10 tries, 13 BB, and 31 K in 189 at bats. He has yet to homer but getting on base and running is his game. He has 3 assists and 1 error in the outfield.

Joseph Terdoslavich (First Base)

Bats: Switch

Age: 22

Experience: 2^nd season

Drafted/Signed: by Rays in 35^th round of 2007 draft (did not sign), by Braves in 6^th round of 2010 draft.

Current Level: Advanced-A

Notes: The nickname possibilities for this guy are mindboggling. Terdo played 1 year at Miami, sat out 2009 to transfer, and played 2010 at Long Beach State. Last year he hit .296/.351/.402/.753 with 2 homers, 15 BB, and 27 K in 189 at bats at Danville, and then moved up to Rome. He hit .316/.365/.430/.795 with no homers, 5 BB, and 18 K in 79 at bats.

2011: Terdo has been at Lynchburg this season and has made a huge leap in the power department. He is currently hitting .260/.316/.512/.828 with 34 runs, 36 RBI, 23 doubles, 1 triple, 12 homers, 18 BB, and 54 K in 242 at bats. He has converted from third base to first and has made 4 errors there so far.

Jakob Dalfonso (First Base/Third Base/Left Field/Right Field)

Bats: Left Handed

Age: 21

Experience: 3^rd season

Drafted/Signed: by Braves in 18^th round of 2009 draft.

Current Level: Low-A

Notes: Dalfonso was not very impressive in his first year of pro ball, playing in the GCL, and hitting just .259/.322/.309/.632 in 139 at bats with no homers, 10 BB, 20 K, and 7 SB in 9 tries. Last season he played at Danville and improved, hitting .301/.395/.386/.781 with a homer, 11 BB, 19 K, and 4 SB in 6 attempts in 153 at bats.

2011: Playing at Rome, Dalfonso has had his best season yet. His power has improved dramatically from his first year. In 239 at bats, Dalfonso has hit .297/.346/.456/.802 with 33 runs, 29 RBI, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 9 homers, 14 BB, 42 K, and 6 SB in 7 tries.

Chris Garcia (First Base)

Bats: Left Handed

Age: 23

Experience: 5^th season

Drafted/Signed: by Boston in 44^th round of 2005 draft (did not sign), by Anaheim in 15^th round of 2007 draft.

Current Level: Low-A

Notes: Born in Florida, Garcia went to high school in Brooklyn, and played for St. Petersburg JC. Playing rookie ball in 2007 for the Angels, Garcia hit .303/.426/.452/.878 with 15 doubles, a triple, 2 homers, 27 runs, 27 RBI, 31 BB, and 38 K in 155 at bats. He played rookie ball again the next year and was even better, hitting .366/.459/.493/.951 with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 23 runs, 24 RBI, 21 BB, 24 K, and 2 SB in 2 attempts in 134 at bats.

Garcia must have had something that the Angels didn’t like because they released him. In 2009 Garcia played in 2 independent leagues and hit a combined .358/.437/.462/.899 in 318 at bats. Last season he played in an independent league and hit .383/.490/.597/1.087 with 14 homers, 76 BB, and 54 K in 350 at bats, leading the Braves to sign him.

2011: The Braves cut Garcia in early April but then resigned him in mid-May. He has played in 34 games at Rome and hit .341/.404/.548/.952 with 20 runs, 25 RBI, 11 doubles, 5 homers, 13 BB, and 31 K in 126 at bats. He has made 3 errors while playing first base.

Garcia has always hit for a high average and with good plate discipline. He’s not even that old. However, he has neither speed nor power. Also, he doesn’t really seem to have a position. Sadly, Garcia could be cut at anytime.

The Braves Blog: Roster Guide Update Part VIII

Roster Guide Update Part VIII: Others

This edition of the roster guide update will cover pitchers in the organization who are having good years and were not mentioned in the April preview.

Pitchers

Chris Masters (Starter/Reliever)

Pitches: Left Handed

Age: 23

Experience: 3^rd season

Drafted/Signed: by Braves in 11^th round of 2009 draft.

Current Level: Advanced-A

Notes: Masters impressed in his first taste of pro ball back in 2009 at Danville, making 11 starts and 2 relief appearances, and going 8-4 with a complete game, a 1.42 ERA, and a 0.890 WHIP. He fanned 85 while throwing just 9 walks and allowing only 1 homer over 69.2 innings. Pretty dominant stuff. He came back to earth at Rome last season, making 27 appearances (26 starts) and going 3-11 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.368 WHIP. He struck out 123 batters over 136 innings, but also walked 52, hit 6, threw 10 wild pitches, committed 4 balks, and allowed 14 homers and 15 unearned runs.

2011: Masters has had a nice bounce back season at advanced-A. The lefty from Marietta has pitched in 14 games, making 10 starts, and is 4-3 with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.232 WHIP. He has fanned 65 and walked 28 over 69 innings. He has allowed only 1 unearned run and 4 homers. Control is still a bit of an issue. He has uncorked 6 wild pitches, hit 3 batters, and committed 2 balks so far.

Elvin Garcia (Starter/Reliever)

Pitches: Left Handed

Age: 21

Experience: 2^nd season

Drafted/Signed: by Braves out of Nicaragua.

Current Level: Rookie Ball (Dominican Summer League)

Notes: Garcia was impressive in the DSL last year, making 23 appearances, including 4 starts, and going 5-1 with 2 saves, 1.34 ERA, and a 1.022 WHIP. He fanned just 27 and walked only 5 in 60.2 innings.

2011: Garcia is pitching in the DSL again and has gotten off to a good start. In 4 appearances (3 starts) he is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA and a 0.947 WHIP. He has 12 K and 3 BB over 19 innings.

Jaye Chapman (Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 24

Experience: 6^th season

Drafted/Signed: by Braves in 16^th round of 2005 draft.

Current Level: AAA

Notes: Chapman hasn’t skyrocketed through the system like some players but his progress has been steady if slow. He was overwhelmed in his first year of pro ball at Danville back in 2006. In 14 games (5 starts), Chapman went 1-2 with a save, a 5.77 ERA and a 1.951 WHIP. He struck out 24 and walked 21 in 34.1 innings. Chapman was better in his 2^nd season, pitching exclusively out of the pen. In 23 games at Danville and Rome he went 3-2 with a save, a 5.44 ERA, a 1.276 WHIP, 55 K, and 20 BB over 44.2 innings. He pitched in 21 games at low-A and advanced-A in 2008, making only 1 start, and going 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA, a 1.449 WHIP, 39 K, and 20 BB over 49 innings. With his progress somewhat stalled, Chapman spent 2009 pitching at low-A and advanced-A again and had a bit of a breakthrough year. He pitched in 46 games (all in relief), going 2-2 with 13 saves, a 2.79 ERA, and a 1.172 WHIP. He had 66 K against 24 BB over 58 innings. Last season he pitched at advanced-A and AA. He had some difficulty making the transition. He pitched in 46 games, including 1 start, going 1-5 with 2 saves, a 5.29 ERA, and a 1.619 WHIP. He struck out 74 and walked 32 over 63 innings.

2011: This has been a pretty big year for Chapman. While he has continued to progress through the system, Chapman’s climb has been slow, and he really needed to have a good year in a full season at the higher levels of the minors. So far so good. Chapman opened the season at AA, making 9 appearances and going 1-0 with 2 saves, a 0.64 ERA, and a 0.714 WHIP. Over 14 innings, Chapman fanned 16 against 5 BB, allowing only 5 hits and 1 run. He got the call up to AAA and has not missed a beat in 15 games, going 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and a 0.981 WHP. Chapman has struck out 23 while walking 7 and giving up just 10 hits over 17.1 innings. Overall in 2011, Chapman has made 24 appearances and is 2-0 with 2 saves, a 1.44 ERA and a 0.862 WHIP. He has struck out 39, walked 12, and allowed just 15 hits over 31 innings.

Andrew Wilson (Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 24 (on 7/30)

Experience: 3^rd season

Drafted/Signed: by Braves in 36^th round of 2009 draft.

Current Level: Advanced-A

Notes: Wilson has been a fulltime reliever since his first season in 2009. Pitching in the CGL and at low-A that season, Wilson made 14 appearances and went 2-3 with 2 saves, a 4.15 ERA, a 1.292 WHIP, 25 K, and 8 BB over 21.2 innings. Last year he pitched in 36 games at low-A and advanced-A, going 0-0 with a save, a 2.92 ERA, a 1.204 WHIP, 36 K, and 22 BB over 52.1 innings.

2011: Wilson has been at advanced-A Lynchburg all year and has had a very positive season. He is 1-1 with 4 saves in 18 appearances, posting a 2.78 ERA and a 1.103 WHIP over 22.2 innings. Encouragingly, his strikeouts have increased and his walks have decreased (20 K and 6 BB over 22.2 innings).

Dan Jurik (Starter/Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 24 (on 6/18)

Experience: 2^nd season

Drafted/Signed: by Braves in 25^th round of 2010 draft.

Current Level: Low-A

Notes: Dan Jurik turned 23 during his first season of pro ball, and it seems like the Braves wanted to get his development off and running, as he pitched in 2 rookie ball leagues (Gulf Coast and for Danville) and at low-A. Jurik made at total of 12 starts and 2 relief appearances, going 4-3 with a 3.15 ERA, a 1.034 WHIP, 52 K, and 15 BB over 68.2 innings.

2011: Jurik has pitched at Rome and Lynchburg this season, making 3 starts and 8 relief appearances. He is 0-0 with a save, a 2.73 ERA, and a 1.329 WHIP. Jurik’s K’s are up but unfortunately so are his walks. He has fanned 25 and walked 13 over 26.1 innings, also uncorking 5 wild pitches.

Ryan Weber (Starter/Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 21 (on 8/12)

Experience: 3^rd season

Drafted/Signed: by Phillies in 12^th round of 2008 draft (did not sign), by Braves in 22^nd round of 2009 draft.

Current Level: Low-A

Notes: Weber’s 2009 debut was brief but impressive, as he made 7 relief appearances in the GCL, going 0-0 with 2 saves, and allowing just 2 runs on 8 hits and no walks with 13 K over 10.1 innings. Last year he pitched for Danville and Rome, this time making 12 starts and 14 relief appearances, and going 5-7 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.214 WHIP. He struck out 75 against only 17 BB in 101.1 innings.

2011: Weber has pitched at Rome and Lynchburg this season, making 3 starts and 9 relief appearances, and going 2-0 with 2 saves, a 2.88 ERA, and a 1.057 WHIP. He has 30 K and 9 BB over 40.2 innings.

Tyler Hess (Starter/Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 23 (8/29)

Experience: 2^nd season

Drafted/Signed: by Braves in 19^th round of 2010 draft.

Current Level: Low-A

Notes: Hess pitched in the GCL and for Danville last year, making 4 starts and 8 relief appearances, and going 2-4 with a save, 4.73 ERA, and a 1.423 WHIP. He had 31 K and 16 BB over 32.1 innings.

2011: Hess has spent his 2^nd season at Rome, making 16 relief appearances and just 1 start. He is 0-2 with 6 saves, a 3.48 ERA and a 1.337 WHIP. He has fanned 33 and walked 16 over 33.2 innings.

Aaron Northcraft (Starter/Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 21

Experience: 3^rd season

Drafted/Signed: by Braves in 10^th round of 2009 draft.

Current Level: Low-A

Notes: Northcraft’s first experience in pro ball was a struggle. He made 10 starts and 1 relief appearance in the GCL back in 2009, going 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.350 WHIP. He struck out 31 guys but walked 21 and hit 9 batters over 40 innings. He also threw 4 wild pitches and allowed 6 unearned runs. He had a better year last season, making 12 starts and 2 relief appearances for Danville and Rome, and going 7-4 with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.328 WHIP. Control was still a big problem. He struck out 46, walked 24, hit 10 batters, and threw 10 wild pitches in 67 innings. He also gave up 7 unearned runs.

2011: Northcraft has pitched sparingly but effectively at Rome this season. He has made 4 starts and 4 relief appearances and is 2-2 with a 2.36 ERA, a 1.107 WHIP, 28 K, and 9 BB over 34.1 innings.

Kyle Mertins (Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 23

Experience: 2^nd season

Drafted/Signed: by Braves in 28^th round of 2010 draft.

Current Level: Low-A

Notes: Like Jurik, Mertins pitched in 2 rookie ball leagues (GCL and for Danville) and at low-A in his first pro season last year. He pitched in 20 games, going 0-3 with 6 saves, a 4.21 ERA, a 1.183 WHIP, 26 K, and 12 BB over 36.1 innings.

2011: Mertins has made 16 appearances at Rome this season, going 1-2 with 5 saves, a 2.33 ERA, a 1.293 WHIP, 16 K, and 5 BB over 19.1 innings.

Rowdy Hardy (Reliever)

Pitches: Left Handed

Age: 28

Experience: 6^th season

Drafted/Signed: as undrafted FA by KC in 2006.

Current Level: AAA

Notes: You gotta pull for Rowdy Hardy, not just because of his name, but also because he’s still at this thing at age 28, still trying to make the big leagues. Not only did Hardy play 3 years of college ball (Austin Peay), he was 23 by the time of his pro debut. He went undrafted and ended up getting signed by Kansas City. He made 15 starts in rookie ball in 2006 and was totally unfazed, going 5-3 with a 2.80 ERA, a 1.046 WHIP, 52 K, and just 5 walks in 80.1 innings. He continued to impress a year later at advanced-A. He made 22 starts and 4 relief appearances, going 15-5 with a save, a 2.48 ERA, and a 0.958 WHIP. He struck out 91 against only 16 BB in 167 innings, but he did hit 15 guys. Hardy moved up to AA a year later and he found that transition to be much more difficult. He pitched in 28 games in 2008, 27 as a starter, and went 6-11 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.452 WHIP. He had just 87 strikeouts in 155.2 innings. He walked 31, threw 20 HBP, and gave up 14 homers. He spent part of 2009 in AA and part at advanced-A. He made 16 starts and 7 relief appearances, going 7-5 with a 2.74 ERA, a 1.292 WHIP, 68 K, and 29 BB over 108.1 innings. He spent another full season at AA in 2010, this time as a full time reliever. In 36 games, Hardy went 4-3 with 3 saves, a 3.44 ERA, a 1.309 WHIP, 57 K, and 18 BB over 81 innings.

2011: Hardy has been used exclusively out of the pen in his first year with the Braves, pitching at AA and AAA. In 21 games he is 1-5 with a 1.69 ERA, a 1.281 WHIP, 24 K, and 11 BB over 32 innings. He has allowed only 1 dinger.

Blaine Sims (Starter/Reliever)

Pitches: Left Handed

Age: 22

Experience: 2^nd season

Drafted/Signed: as undrafted FA by Braves in 2010.

Current Level: Advanced-A

Notes: Sims spent 3 years in college (1 at Kaskaskia JC, 2 at Arkansas Tech) and then went undrafted. He was pitching for New Market in Virginia in the Valley League when the Braves found him. He pitched in 5 games for Danville in 2010, making 2 starts and 3 relief appearances and going 0-3 with a 4.19 ERA, a 1.397 WHIP, and 10 K over 19.1 innings.

2011: Sims is looking pretty good in his 2^nd year with the Braves, making 2 starts and 15 relief appearances at Rome and Lynchburg. He is 2-2 with a 2.95 ERA, a 1.261 WHIP, 30 K, and 14 BB over 39.2 innings.

The Braves Blog: Roster Guide Update Part VII

Roster Guide Update Part VII

This edition updates the Diamonds in the Rough/Spot Fillers/Roster Expanders who were previewed in Roster Guide part IV back in April. There won’t be much analysis for these guys. It will mostly be a look at their numbers so far this season. In this entry we’ll cover the position players.

Mauro Gomez (First Base)

Bats: Right Handed

Age: 26

Current Level: AAA

Update: Gomez has had a big year so far in his first season at AAA. Gomez strikes out a lot and doesn’t draw too many walks but he has increased his power this season despite moving up a level. He is hitting .306/.343/.543/.886 with 19 doubles, 12 homers, 36 runs, and 43 RBI. He has 12 BB and 59 K in 232 at bats. In the field, Gomez has made 3 errors at first base.

Jose Constanza (Left Field/Center Field)

Bats: Left Handed

Age: 27

Current Level: AAA

Update: This is Constanza’s first season in the organization and his second full season in AAA. He is having his best year ever, especially in terms of plate discipline. Constanza is batting .354/.395/.413/.808 with 31 runs and 17 RBI. His problem is that he has almost zero power. He has 4 triples this season but only 1 homer and 1 double. He is speedy and is a decent base stealer (17 for 22 this season). He doesn’t strike out much but he’s also not a big walker. He has just 13 BB and 19 K in 206 AB this season. That stuff doesn’t matter when you’re hitting .354, but what it would in the majors? He has 3 assists and has made only 1 error in the outfield.

Dan Nelson (Second Base/Third Base)

Bats: Switch

Age: 27

Current Level: AAA

Update: Things aren’t going well for the utility man in his first full season in the organization and at AAA. He is playing sparingly at Gwinnett, and when he is in the game, he’s struggling at the plate and in the field. Nelson is hitting .260/.322/.413/.735 in 104 AB with 4 homers, 17 runs, 19 RBI, 11 BB, and 18 K. He has also made 9 total errors in the field (7 at 2B; 2 at 3B).

Shawn Bowman (First Base/Third Base)

Bats: Right Handed

Age: 26

Current Level: AAA

Update: This is Bowman’s first year in the organization and at AAA. While his power hasn’t suffered at Gwinnett this season, he’s struggling a bit overall. Bowman is batting .278/.319/.461/.780 with 7 doubles, a triple, 8 homers, 22 runs, and 17 RBI. Those are decent numbers. Unfortunately, he has just 9 walks and has fanned 52 times in 180 at bats. In the field, Bowman has 1 error at first base and 6 errors at third.

Donell Linares (Third Base)

Bats: Right Handed

Age: 27

Current Level: AA

Update: The former Cuban defector is improving in his 2^nd full season at Mississippi but he doesn’t really do anything great and he’s not progressing fast enough to keep up with his age. Linares is currently batting .267/.322/.398/.720 with 10 doubles, 1 triple, 5 homers, 21 runs, and 41 RBI. He has 15 BB and 21 K in 206 at bats and is 0 for 5 in SB attempts. Linares has committed 4 errors at 3^rd base.

Willie Cabrera (Left Field/Center Field)

Bats: Right Handed

Age: 25 (on 8/13)

Current Level: AA

Update: Cabrera has definitely taken a step back this season. He started the year at AAA, but after going 3 for 24 with 2 BB, 7 K and 0 homers, he was sent back down to Mississippi and has been at AA since April 14^th. Since being demoted, Cabrera has hit .275/.321/.368/.690 with 22 runs, 20 RBI, 8 doubles, 3 triples, and a homer. He has fanned 12 times and walked 12 times in 182 at bats. Overall, Cabrera is hitting .257/.305/.345/.650 with 24 runs, 21 RBI, 9 doubles, 3 triples, a homer, 14 BB, and 21 K in 206 at bats. Those numbers are down from his stats at AA and AAA last year. On a positive side, he appears to have a serious arm (or a knack for getting guys to try and test him), as he has 10 outfield assists this season (and 3 errors).

Marcus Lemon (Second Base/Left Field)

Bats: Left Handed

Age: 23

Current Level: AA

Update: The Braves seemed to think that the Rangers gave up on Lemon too soon, but maybe they didn’t. This is his 3^rd straight season at AAA (first with the Braves) and he is hitting just .241/.273/.292/.565 with 0 homers, 5 BB, and 25 in 137 at bats. It’s hard to get much worse than that. Lemon has committed 2 errors and notched 1 assist from left field, and also committed 2 errors at 2^nd.

Ernesto Mejia (First Base)

Bats: Right Handed

Age: 25

Current Level: AA

Update: This is Mejia’s first year with the Braves and his 2^nd straight at AA. His power numbers have dipped some and he hasn’t shown significant improvement in area. Mejia is currently batting .266/.354/.414/.769 with 13 doubles, a triple, 6 homers, 25 runs, and 30 RBI. He has just 28 BB and has fanned 71 times in only 222 at bats. He’s also made 5 errors, which seems like a lot for a 1^st baseman.

Stefan Gartrell (Right Field)

Bats: Right Handed

Age: 27

Current Level: AAA

Update: The Braves got Gartrell from CHW on April 16^th, replenishing some of the power that they had lost in the minors over the last year or so. Gartrell played in 7 games at AAA in the White Sox organization this year and has played in 46 games with the G-Braves. He is improving in his 2^nd full season at AAA. Overall he is hitting .275/.329/.550/.879 with 19 doubles, 12 homers, 30 runs, and 37 RBI. He has drawn only 11 walks and has struck out 53 times in 200 at bats. He also has 5 assists and only 1 error out in right field.

The Braves Blog: Roster Guide Update Part VI

Roster Guide Update Part VI

This edition updates the Diamonds in the Rough/Spot Fillers/Roster Expanders who were previewed in Roster Guide part IV back in April. There won’t be much analysis for these guys. It will mostly be a look at their numbers so far this season. In this entry we’ll cover the pitchers.

Juan Abreu (Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 26

Current Level: AAA

Update: Abreu is having perhaps his best ever season in his first season at AAA. He has made 25 appearances for Gwinnett, posting a 3-0 record with a 1 save, a 2.93 ERA, and a 1.239 WHIP. He has fanned 38 against 12 BB in 30.2 innings. Abreu has allowed 4 homers and 5 unearned runs. We could see Abreu in the Atlanta bullpen at any time.

Anthony Varvaro (Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 26

Current Level: AAA

Update: Varvaro has had a strange season in his first year in the Braves organization. In 20 appearances for Gwinnett, Varvaro has posted a 2.93 ERA and a 1.207 WHIP over 30.2 innings, notching 1 save. Despite these solid numbers, Varvaro has a record of 1-6. He has struck out 34 and allowed only 16 hits and 1 homer over 30.2 innings, but he has also walked 21. Varvaro might be a decent guy to have around in September.

Michael Broadway (Reliever)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 24

Current Level: AA

Update: Broadway’s season has been derailed by injury. He made 4 appearances for Mississippi, going 1-0 while allowing just 1 run on 3 hits and 2 BB with 6 K over 5 innings before hurting his arm on April 19^th. Broadway was shelved with a right elbow strain and he hasn’t pitched since.

Yohan Flande (Reliever/Starter)

Pitches: Left Handed

Age: 25

Current Level: AAA

Update: Flande has fared well in his first year in the organization. Pitching at AAA for the first time, Flande has made 6 starts and 9 relief appearances, going 2-2 with a save. The lefty has posted a 3.73 ERA and a 1.322 WHIP over 50.2 innings. Flande has struck out 42 against 16 walks and allowed only 1 homer.

Todd Redmond (Starter)

Pitches: Right Handed

Age: 26

Current Level: AAA

Update: Todd Redmond may not have enough to succeed at the major league level, but he’s had an excellent season at AAA. In 13 starts, Redmond is 5-6 with a complete game shutout, a 2.60 ERA, and a 1.079 WHIP. He has fanned 65 and walked just 18 over 79.2 innings. Redmond has allowed 10 homers and this is his 3^rd full season at AAA, but he’s obviously figured something out. It wouldn’t seem likely that he would be needed in Atlanta this season but he’s good to have around just in case.