Category: Player Analysis

Sometimes, a bit of information becomes available to me, and it just becomes too bothersome to ignore. On Wednesday, that information came in the form of a tweet from Athletic reporter David O’Brien. DOB was, as they say,...

On May 17, 2012, Brandon Beachy tossed a 122-pitch, complete-game shutout of the Miami Marlins at Turner Field. At that early point in the season, Beachy held a 5-1 record with a 1.33 ERA after eight starts. And, for hardcore...

Okay, I guess I’d better eat some crow. I didn’t think we’d get Upton, at least not during the offseason, because we didn’t have the prospects to match the rejected Mariners trade. And, of course, we...

Taken by the Braves out of nearby Mercer University in the fourth round of the 2007 draft, Cory Gearrin made his big-league debut in 2011 and has jumped back and forth between Gwinnett and Atlanta ever since, generally...

Cristhian Martinez is something of a forgotten man in the Braves bullpen. Sometimes it seems like his own manager forgets about him. Don’t get me wrong: Martinez, aptly nicknamed “The Lisp” by Mac a couple years...

Every organization has its strengths and weaknesses. One thing the Braves seem to do well: develop young, cheap bullpen arms. While other organizations pay a premium for setup relievers and closers — for the second straight...

Ho, ho, ho, my Braves Journal friends, the holiday season is approaching. You’re saying you want something for Christmas? Aren’t you forgetting something? Santa is very sorry, but Santa already gave you your present...

It’s easy to take Freddie Freeman for granted. For instance, when you finish second in the Rookie of the Year voting, you might expect that would generate some excitement — unfortunately, when the person you finished...

Mikie Minor. My boy. About six months ago, even I — seemingly the last Braves Journal regular with any hope for his future — privately confided in Alex that I thought he needed a change of scenery. Now, much to my...

As of this writing, Randall Delgado’s future with the Atlanta Braves is uncertain. He might be used as a trade chip to acquire a starting left fielder (or third baseman). He might open next season in the team’s starting...

Some notes on a few 2012 Braves facing life after baseball: Eric Hinske — There were signs coming into the 2012 season that Hinske might be nearing the end of his tenure as an effective bench player. His age (34) and body type...

Jordan Walden is a 25-year old right-handed relief pitcher. He throws in the upper 90’s, has a career K/9 inning rate of 10.8, and a 2013 salary of $495,000. In 2011, he was an American League All-Star, on his way to a 32 save...

Yes, I’m excited. Five years and $75.25 million is obviously a risk, but in my view, BJ Upton is clearly the best fit for the Braves among free-agent CF options, and he came a bit more cheaply than I thought possible. (I...

Sometimes you make a move that’s supposed to help, and you get Adam LaRoche hitting lights out for two months, or two good years of John Burkett. And sometimes you make a move that’s supposed to help, and it doesn’t and...

In 2006, 16 year old Luis Avilan was representing the Braves in the Dominican Summer League, the first of his 7 seasons in professional baseball to date. Through his age 22 season, (he turned 23 in July) the left handed Avilan...