Max Fried takes on Brice Miller in game 1 in Seattle, game time 9:40 ET/8:40 CT. Game 2 will feature Reynaldo Lopez and Luis Castillo, and on May 1st, my dad’s birthday, Chris Sale will take on Emerson Hancock. Wednesday will be a day game starting at 3:40 ET/2:40 CT.
Some Observations
Last night, the Braves absolutely cranked 2 balls that, off the bat, looked to be long gone only to land at the warning track. It got me thinking… has MLB messed with the balls again? While there’s nothing concrete, keep this nugget in your backpocket…
Looking at Future Braves Pitchers
While there’s not much in the system as far as offensive prospects, there are several pitchers that look to have real MLB potential. Those pitchers are…
- AJ Smith-Shawver
- Hurston Waldrep
- Owen Murphy
- Spencer Schwellenbach
- Rolddy Munoz
- Jhancarlos Lara
- JR Ritchie
- Ian Anderson
- Huascar Ynoa
- Cade Kuehler
- Drue Hackenberg
Now my question, for anyone that follows the Braves MiLB system, what role do you envision for these pitchers? Starter or Reliever?
Smith Shawver just needs a season to figure out his stuff and how to use it. Starter
The Millionaire’s pitches move too much. Frustrating, but a good problem to have. Obviously a starter
Owen Murphy is easily the best player currently in the South Atlantic League and needs a promotion to AA. He will be a good MLB starter, assuming good health.
Schwellenbach (we need a good nickname here!) would be a monster in the pen. Is a closer more valuable than a 3/4 starter?
Rolldy is long relief fodder
IIRC I was irrationally high on Lara over the winter. Still believe but may be as a late inning guy
Ritchie is out after Tommy John. TBD
Ian might come back better, might not. I doubt he has any value in relief. Made good on the draft pick in 2021
Sadly, I doubt Ynoa will ever return
Kuehler has a 10% chance of being a good 2 in a MLB rotation and a much better chance of learning to speak Korean
Hackenburg is likely a reliever
Looks like our hitters are still snoozing, but this is the Varsity I know and love.
Man, we have been whiffing A LOT lately. Just swinging right through fastballs in the middle of the zone at an insane clip.
Man oh man, I love watching Ronald run.
God, I’ve missed Ozzie!
Ronnie + Ozzie 4ever. Also, good lord, Pierce Johnson’s curveball is sultry.
If you like pitchers’ duels (and I do), this one’s a doozie.
And still a no-no for the good guys.
The soft contact is killing Jiménez these days.
Good Lord, Joe, make it a little easier on yourself next time!
That was some baller pitching by Jiménez.
[Edit: that was less than baller pitching by Minter.]
Whew… slinked outta that situation.
How ’bout another run, fellas?
Need more offense.
But good grief, that was a BP meatball from Minter.
Ugh.
Welp… at least the Phillies lost.
Add another one to the could’ve / should’ve won pile
I was in CBP the night Ian absolutely imploded against the Phillies. In my mind, he’s never coming back.
Just curious, what is it about Ynoa that puts him behind the 8-ball? Just not showing anymore what he did before punching the wall?
Velocity is not near what it used to be ( so far) for Ynoa
recapped.