A brief look at the Atlanta Braves Prospects
The Braves currently find themselves in a very interesting situation. They are stuck with two prospects at outfield, Jordan Schafer and phenom Jason Heyward. Jordan Schafer was one regarded as the best prospect in the Braves system. Many scouts considered Schafer to be the best hitter for average and defensive outfielder in the Braves organization. After suffering from a wrist-injury during the home opener vs. Washington, Schafer has fallen out of plain sight. Respectably Schafer had a terrible rookie campaign mainly because of the wrist injury.
The Braves acquired CF Nate McLouth in June 2009 to replace Schafer. Now the Braves face a major dilemma. The Braves currently have six outfielders on their roster. Gregor Blanco, Melky Cabrera, Matt Diaz, Eric Hinske, Nate McLouth and Jordan Schafer.
Hinske will serve as the Braves top left-handed pinch-hitter and Blanco will be fighting for a role with the team in Spring Training for the second straight year. As of now, McLouth is the starting CF for the Braves. The other three OF's will battle each other for playing time. A platoon of Melky and Diaz is very likely since they complement each nicely. (They are each others ying-and-yang) Diaz is a more effective hitter against lefties and Melky a is stronger hitter versus righties.
With the current makeup of the roster the Braves are taking a major risk at 1B with Troy Glaus. Glaus who has only played 6 games at 1B in his 11-year career brings a huge injury concern to the Braves. The Braves are confident Glaus is healthy and his shoulder is not an issue. However, the lineup still lacks 'thunder' to compete with elite teams in the National League such as the Phillies and Dodgers.
Over the past decade the Braves have called up several prospects which were considered top prospects by Baseball America. Andy Marte, once considered to be Chipper Jones replacement failed in 2005 and was eventually traded to Cleveland for Bob Wickman. Homegrown talent Jeff Francoeur, showed promise his first two seasons but because of his lack of plate discipline, pitchers eventually threw balls outside the strike zone to him knowing he would chase. Consequently, he became the 'goat' on the Braves team and was essentially booed out of town by fans. Kyle Davies was fantastic his rookie year while serving as a starter for the Braves. He shut-out the Red Sox in Fenway Park and that was the last we heard of him.
Brian McCann is arguably the best prospects to come out of the Braves farm system the past decade. Rafy Furcal was a fantastic leadoff hitter but became money hungry and signed with the Dodgers. In 2008, when the Braves thought they had signed him to serve as a 2B Furcal claimed he was "sleeping" and never agreed to terms with the Atlanta. Tommy Hanson had a successful rookie campaign but lets wait until 2010 is over before we make a final judgement.
So do the Braves want to risk calling up highly touted prospect Jason Heyward or give Schafer another opportunity to compete at a corner-outfield position? Or should we give the dynamic duo another year to develop and sign free-agent OF Johnny Damon to a 1 yr/$3 million contact.
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