*Worth noting that I, Ryan , edited the heck out of this Braves Spring Training piece…I’m sure you can see what is Jonathan’s work as it’s written much, much better.
I agreed to give notes from today’s spring training game against the Orioles against my better judgment… I should have gone with my better judgment. I’m just not sure how to watch a spring training game or what to take away from it.
Braves Spring Training Notes: The Good and Bad of Travis d’Arnaud
First at-bat of the spring for d’Arnaud and he hit a no-doubter (congrats to Putter who wins the Spring Training Contest).
However, d’Arnaud had some dicey moments behind the plate while catching Newcomb. Hopefully that was just getting used to new pitchers, but I d’Arnaud about that. (that bad pun was brought to you by Ryan).
Braves Spring Training Notes: Bryce Ball the Real Deal?
Bryce Ball homered… and people are really starting to believe the Braves got a steal in the 24th round and their future DH.
Braves Spring Training Notes: Sean Newcomb and Oldcomb
Newcomb gave up two runs in the first inning, but the runs came via a broken bat infield hit, a passed ball by d’Arnaud, and a wild pitch that could’ve been handled. However, he had a very strong 1-2-3 in the 2nd, striking out the side. Here’s Newk talking about his outing.
Relief Pitching Battle Continues
Touki Toussaint, Patrick Weigel, and Phil Pfeifer pitched in yesterday’s game, and all looked good.
- Touki: 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1K
- Weigel: 2 IP 0 R, 1 H, 1K
- Pfeifer: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1K
David Lee, who’s the go-to Braves prospect guru in my opinion (and was on our podcast a few weeks back) had this to say about Touki’s outing:
Pumped 94-95 with plus movement. Had feel for all his pitches. Went after hitters. He looked confident.
David Lee
However, of all the bullpen candidates, Weigel is definitely standing out right now. His stuff is just pure filth and he has the ability to throw multiple innings.
Now Batting…Who?
When I was a kid, I could name the starting 8 of every team in the National League. I can’t do that anymore, but Baltimore is really terra incognita. Other than Rio Ruiz (who had an excellent game, by the way) I don’t think I’d ever heard of any of them. About my only impression is that having a pitcher named Armstrong is a lot better than having a pitcher named Walk. Oh, and I saw the first Wojciechowski since Barney Miller went off the air. For all the pessimism that is sometimes exhibited on Braves Journal, imagine listening to a serious discussion about Chris Davis (I’ve heard of him, but he wasn’t there) and whether he’ll be able to contribute this year “because he’s a crucial part of the team.†It’s like we were still waiting for Mudge to produce. A team that can’t afford to cut its losses is a team that I don’t see how anybody could watch.
The Less than Spectacular Moments
Peter O’Brien got picked off second base. I suppose that hurts his chances to back up Freddie, but I’m not sure how you can stay alert in a Spring Training game. I know I didn’t. Adeiny Hechavarria made an error that wasn’t called an error, but known quantities can make errors in Spring Training, even if they aren’t called. Drew Waters struck out representing the go-ahead run to end the game, proving definitively, I suppose, that he chokes. (Drew, if you’re reading this, that’s a dig at blazon, not you.)
One thing you have to admire about Spring Training, though: no replays. Let the kids play.
Thanks for reading our Braves Spring Training Notes from Game 5. If you enjoyed this piece, check out our piece on the Bottlenecking of the Braves Pitchers at the Minor and Major League Level.
JC’d
Braves14 says:
I think Chief might be right that the Braves give the spot to Wright and stop with the yo-yo. Might be some growing pains but I don’t think he has much left to prove at Gwinnet
Braves14 says:
When they announced Wingert was let go without an explanation I immediately thought she might have gotten too “chummy” with a player
JC’d
Chief says:
@41, My thinking is that either he’s good enough to be a MLB 5th starter, and if not, he’s a AAAA player anyway and you should probably trade him, if so.
My long contention is that MOST, MOST ‘prospects’ are only useful in that they are ‘goods’ to be exchanged for actual proven MLB players. Obviously, your top say, 3 prospects in most orgs are more than that, but really below that line (maybe the line goes to 5 in good orgs), I think history shows that you’re better off using them toward known commodities.
@34 Fireable
Chief says:
Also, Bryce Ball is going to be a baller… His swing is so compact and his mechanics are so good.
IMO.
I want to see Hernandez make the team to start the year. If one of the pitchers like Wright, Weigel or Anderson look really good, give them some more time in the minors to see how fluky spring training was. If King Felix proves that he has something left, he at least establishes trade value.
I want to see Hernandez make the team to start the year.
Get thee behind me, Satan!
It is becoming increasingly clear to me that what most players are to Chief and what Dans is to coop, The Artist Formerly Known as King Felix (TAFKAKF) is to me.
Let it go, Alex. Though not with the Braves, Felix actually produced in the big leagues.
Your @4 made my morning. Thanks.
Hey, so did Ken Caminiti, Bobby Bonilla, and Albie Lopez.
But so did John Burkett, Anibal Sanchez, and Aaron Harang.
Not for nothing, I’d love to keep this going.
Notes on notes…
Touki… Very different line from last year’s routine 2 IP, 2 H, 2 W, 2 K, 2 R
I D’Arnaud…Pun of the spring if not the year. More, Ryan.
Hech…by definition you cannot choke in spring training.
Now batting..who? Lovely, captured the moment.
Bryce Ball
if we had anything to say at all
we’d wish him Godspeed
but, please, gently on the feed.
Y’know, in all honesty, I think Harang is a good example of the happy upside case for Felix — a big ol’ dude who lost his fastball when Dusty ground his shoulder into hamburger.
But I still think Ben Sheets and Bartolo Colon are likelier outcomes.
(However, if Harang was Big Handsome and Colon was Big Sexy, I’m willing to call Felix Big Comely.)
Welp, I just got the vapors.
via Gfycat
Nice read. Thank you.
Based on having seen nothing more than that single swing, so I may be way off here, Ball reminds me of Thome.
New thread!
https://bravesjournal.mystagingwebsite.com/2020/02/28/praying-for-the-dh-breaking-down-braves-bryce-ball/