A call for arms
WHO WILL SAVE THE ATLANTA BRAVES?
by Jeff Bergstrom
At the break of spring training, everything was pointing to the 2008 Atlanta Braves ending their 3-year playoff drought. The team would have first basemen Mark Teixeira and shortstop Yunel Escobar for the entire season. They traded for veteran Mark Kotsay to replace long time centerfielder Andruw Jones. And, for the first time in years the closer role appeared to be set with Rafael Soriano. And, as good as all that sounded, the potential of the starting rotation sounded even better.
This winter the Braves signed old friend, and baseball’s most recent 300-game winner, Tom Glavine, to return to Turner Field after a five-year hiatus with the New York Mets. He reunites with John Smotlz to give the team two first ballot Hall of Famers to be cornerstones of the rotation. This coupled with Tim Hudson hitting the prime of his career and sensational rookie Juir Jurjins living up to every scout’s expectation, the Braves stacked up well against any rotation in the National League. Throw in the potential of Mike Hampton, Chuck James, Peter Moylan and Buddy Carlyle and Braves fans were almost pitching giddy.
One of the more enduring aspects of following baseball is the length of its season. The six-month daily soap opera that is a baseball season comes complete with its own plot twists, odd turns and changing storylines. Six weeks into this season, the initial euphoria over the pitching staff has given way to guarded concern.
John Smotlz went on the disabled list before the season even started. He returned to pitch brilliantly but ended up on the disabled list again with a shoulder injury that probably signals the end of his days as a starting pitcher. Tom Glavine, who for 22 years never went on the disabled list, landed there after his second start. Rafael Soriano went on the disabled list with elbow problems and has yet to return leaving the closer’s role to a committee of pitchers. Peter Moylan has already had season-ending surgery. Chuck James, who showed great promise in his first two seasons, appears to have lost his touch and will step down from the starting role. And, no story is sadder than Mike Hampton. The former all-star pitcher has been sidelined the past two seasons with a variety of arm troubles. Hampton was literally moments before his first start in over two years when he suffered a muscle strain that put him back on the disabled list. It is doubtful how much Hampton will pitch this season if he does at all.
Taking stock of the starting rotation now uncovers holes, or at the very least fears, for the rest of the season. When Smoltz returns to the lineup, he will go to the bullpen to replace Soriano as the closer. This is not bad news. Smoltz has been a reliever before and had great success. He still holds the National League record for most saves, 55, in a single season, 2002. But, his departure from the starting rotation leaves a huge hole. Replacing Smoltz’s innings will not be easy. Additionally, both Glavine and Jurjins have some questions marks. Glavine is 42. Even though Tom doesn’t throw the ball hard enough to cause strain on the arm, he is still 42 and that is old for a baseball player. Jurjins is a rookie who came to the Braves through the Detroit Tiger organization and a lot is still unknown about him. This leaves Tim Hudson to anchor the rotation, and if the Braves are to end their 3-year playoff drought, he is going to need some help.
It is still early in the season, but the first six weeks have brought us to the point where the Braves minor league system, at least for pitching, needs to step up. Wanted: starting pitching, must be capable of throwing 200+ innings, available for the 2008 season although could extend long-term, salary starting in the seven figures.
The Atlanta Braves have six minor league affiliate teams. Two of the teams, the Danville Braves and the Gulf Coast Braves are rookie league teams. These teams are entry-level and their players still a few years away from being considered viable major league options. The other minor league teams have “A” designations. The Triple-A Richmond Braves are the closest to the big club. They are followed by the Double-A Mississippi Braves and Single-A Rome Braves and Myrtle Beach Pelicans. To jump from Single-A ball to the major leagues is very rare so when considering potential help for this season the focus is either Richmond or Mississippi.
Actually, the pitching migration from the minors has already begun. For the last couple of years, JoJo Reyes has been fast-tracking his way to the major leagues. He began 2007 with the Double-A Mississippi Braves. There he went 8-1 with a 3.56 ERA and averaged a strike-out for every inning pitched. He then jumped to Triple-A Richmond and went 4-0, making his overall record for 2007 an outstanding 13-1. Jo Jo started this season in Richmond and pretty much continued his hot hand making five starts and posting a 1.17 ERA. He earned his big league called up May 3 and has since has started four games compiling a 2-1 record. Each of his starts has been progressively stronger and he is still maintaining a strike-out per inning. At only 23 years old, Jo Jo could develop into a rotation mainstay for years to come.
At the break of spring training, everything was pointing to the 2008 Atlanta Braves ending their 3-year playoff drought. The team would have first basemen Mark Teixeira and shortstop Yunel Escobar for the entire season. They traded for veteran Mark Kotsay to replace long time centerfielder Andruw Jones. And, for the first time in years the closer role appeared to be set with Rafael Soriano. And, as good as all that sounded, the potential of the starting rotation sounded even better.
This winter the Braves signed old friend, and baseball’s most recent 300-game winner, Tom Glavine, to return to Turner Field after a five-year hiatus with the New York Mets. He reunites with John Smotlz to give the team two first ballot Hall of Famers to be cornerstones of the rotation. This coupled with Tim Hudson hitting the prime of his career and sensational rookie Juir Jurjins living up to every scout’s expectation, the Braves stacked up well against any rotation in the National League. Throw in the potential of Mike Hampton, Chuck James, Peter Moylan and Buddy Carlyle and Braves fans were almost pitching giddy.
One of the more enduring aspects of following baseball is the length of its season. The six-month daily soap opera that is a baseball season comes complete with its own plot twists, odd turns and changing storylines. Six weeks into this season, the initial euphoria over the pitching staff has given way to guarded concern.
John Smotlz went on the disabled list before the season even started. He returned to pitch brilliantly but ended up on the disabled list again with a shoulder injury that probably signals the end of his days as a starting pitcher. Tom Glavine, who for 22 years never went on the disabled list, landed there after his second start. Rafael Soriano went on the disabled list with elbow problems and has yet to return leaving the closer’s role to a committee of pitchers. Peter Moylan has already had season-ending surgery. Chuck James, who showed great promise in his first two seasons, appears to have lost his touch and will step down from the starting role. And, no story is sadder than Mike Hampton. The former all-star pitcher has been sidelined the past two seasons with a variety of arm troubles. Hampton was literally moments before his first start in over two years when he suffered a muscle strain that put him back on the disabled list. It is doubtful how much Hampton will pitch this season if he does at all.
Taking stock of the starting rotation now uncovers holes, or at the very least fears, for the rest of the season. When Smoltz returns to the lineup, he will go to the bullpen to replace Soriano as the closer. This is not bad news. Smoltz has been a reliever before and had great success. He still holds the National League record for most saves, 55, in a single season, 2002. But, his departure from the starting rotation leaves a huge hole. Replacing Smoltz’s innings will not be easy. Additionally, both Glavine and Jurjins have some questions marks. Glavine is 42. Even though Tom doesn’t throw the ball hard enough to cause strain on the arm, he is still 42 and that is old for a baseball player. Jurjins is a rookie who came to the Braves through the Detroit Tiger organization and a lot is still unknown about him. This leaves Tim Hudson to anchor the rotation, and if the Braves are to end their 3-year playoff drought, he is going to need some help.
It is still early in the season, but the first six weeks have brought us to the point where the Braves minor league system, at least for pitching, needs to step up. Wanted: starting pitching, must be capable of throwing 200+ innings, available for the 2008 season although could extend long-term, salary starting in the seven figures.
The Atlanta Braves have six minor league affiliate teams. Two of the teams, the Danville Braves and the Gulf Coast Braves are rookie league teams. These teams are entry-level and their players still a few years away from being considered viable major league options. The other minor league teams have “A” designations. The Triple-A Richmond Braves are the closest to the big club. They are followed by the Double-A Mississippi Braves and Single-A Rome Braves and Myrtle Beach Pelicans. To jump from Single-A ball to the major leagues is very rare so when considering potential help for this season the focus is either Richmond or Mississippi.
Actually, the pitching migration from the minors has already begun. For the last couple of years, JoJo Reyes has been fast-tracking his way to the major leagues. He began 2007 with the Double-A Mississippi Braves. There he went 8-1 with a 3.56 ERA and averaged a strike-out for every inning pitched. He then jumped to Triple-A Richmond and went 4-0, making his overall record for 2007 an outstanding 13-1. Jo Jo started this season in Richmond and pretty much continued his hot hand making five starts and posting a 1.17 ERA. He earned his big league called up May 3 and has since has started four games compiling a 2-1 record. Each of his starts has been progressively stronger and he is still maintaining a strike-out per inning. At only 23 years old, Jo Jo could develop into a rotation mainstay for years to come.
more below
Charlie Morton is another Richmond pitching
prospect that has everyone talking. He was signed
out of high school in 2002 and has been a starter
for most of his minor league career although last
year with Mississippi he shared time in the
bullpen. In 2005 Morton was rated by Baseball
America as having the best curveball in the Atlanta
system. His record in Mississippi last year, 4-6,
4.29 ERA, was not indicative of how well he
pitched. His fall league numbers from last year;
4-1, 2.57 ERA are a better barometer. So far this
year, Morton has had eight starts in Richmond and
has been practically perfect; 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA.
Given the run he is on, it should be only a matter
of time before Charlie is called up.
Francisley Bueno spent six seasons as an All-Star in Cuba’s Serie Nacional with Industriales of Havana before he defected to the United States in 2004. In January of 2006, the Atlanta Braves signed Francisley as a non-drafted free agent. In 2007 Bueno started 19 games and posted a 4-6, record with 3.67 ERA for the Double-A Mississippi. That earned him a call up to Triple-A Richmond where he started three more games and had a 2.79 ERA with one win against no loses. This season in Triple-A Richmond, Francisley’s development and maturity continue to ascend quickly. He is 2-1 with a 3.43 ERA in six starts. Certainly, time in Atlanta is within his reach.
Jonathan Rouwenhorst is another Richmond hopeful trying to make the 2008 Braves as a starting pitcher. Jonathan signed with Atlanta this off-season after seven years with the Los Angeles Angels organization. His first year as a full-time starter was last year when started 26 games and posted a ten win season. This year at Richmond the left-hander is 5-2 after seven starts with an ERA of 3.25. And, that includes a complete game shutout. Historically, Jonathan has had tremendous success against left-handed hitters and only marginal success over right-handed hitters. This year in Richmond he has made great strides in minimizing that disparity. If he is not called up sooner, he will certainly get a chance to move up to the big club in September after teams are allowed to expand their rosters.
For the last 17 years the Atlanta Braves have been arguably the best run organization in professional baseball. Fourteen consecutive division titles points to that. But, nothing speaks more about an organization than its ability to develop talent. The brain trust of Schuerholz, Wren, Cox and others has been nothing short amazing in terms of evaluating and developing talent. The Atlanta Braves are a real rarity insofar as they are an organization that fans can trust. If Bobby Cox thinks Charlie Morton is not quite ready for the Majors, then Charlie Morton is not quite ready for the Majors. Fans take comfort in the knowledge that things are being run by people who actually know what they are doing.
At this point, Jo Jo Reyes appears to have made the jump to the major leagues. Morton, Bueno and Rouwenhorst, can’t be far behind. They certainly appear ready. And, if anyone can manage an in-season rotation change, it is Bobby Cox. So, lets go Braves! And hope to see you in October.
Francisley Bueno spent six seasons as an All-Star in Cuba’s Serie Nacional with Industriales of Havana before he defected to the United States in 2004. In January of 2006, the Atlanta Braves signed Francisley as a non-drafted free agent. In 2007 Bueno started 19 games and posted a 4-6, record with 3.67 ERA for the Double-A Mississippi. That earned him a call up to Triple-A Richmond where he started three more games and had a 2.79 ERA with one win against no loses. This season in Triple-A Richmond, Francisley’s development and maturity continue to ascend quickly. He is 2-1 with a 3.43 ERA in six starts. Certainly, time in Atlanta is within his reach.
Jonathan Rouwenhorst is another Richmond hopeful trying to make the 2008 Braves as a starting pitcher. Jonathan signed with Atlanta this off-season after seven years with the Los Angeles Angels organization. His first year as a full-time starter was last year when started 26 games and posted a ten win season. This year at Richmond the left-hander is 5-2 after seven starts with an ERA of 3.25. And, that includes a complete game shutout. Historically, Jonathan has had tremendous success against left-handed hitters and only marginal success over right-handed hitters. This year in Richmond he has made great strides in minimizing that disparity. If he is not called up sooner, he will certainly get a chance to move up to the big club in September after teams are allowed to expand their rosters.
For the last 17 years the Atlanta Braves have been arguably the best run organization in professional baseball. Fourteen consecutive division titles points to that. But, nothing speaks more about an organization than its ability to develop talent. The brain trust of Schuerholz, Wren, Cox and others has been nothing short amazing in terms of evaluating and developing talent. The Atlanta Braves are a real rarity insofar as they are an organization that fans can trust. If Bobby Cox thinks Charlie Morton is not quite ready for the Majors, then Charlie Morton is not quite ready for the Majors. Fans take comfort in the knowledge that things are being run by people who actually know what they are doing.
At this point, Jo Jo Reyes appears to have made the jump to the major leagues. Morton, Bueno and Rouwenhorst, can’t be far behind. They certainly appear ready. And, if anyone can manage an in-season rotation change, it is Bobby Cox. So, lets go Braves! And hope to see you in October.
Francisley Bueno
Jonathan Rouwenhorst
Jo Jo Reyes
BREAKING
NEWS: In
a shocking revelation,
Barack Obama's pastor says he's not
presidential pastor material
Barack Obama's pastor says he's not
presidential pastor material
Read more
BREAKING
NEWS: In
a shocking revelation,
Barack Obama's pastor says he's not
presidential pastor material
Barack Obama's pastor says he's not
presidential pastor material
