•Soroka goes down in 3rd start
•2 more of Opening Day rotation no longer on roster- 60% total
•Acuña misses 8 games
•Albies misses 15 games
•Freddie dealing w/ after effects of Covid
•Will Smith just returned
•Top 2 C’s miss start of season sick
The Braves are still 15-11
Ender Inciarte is playing like a guy who knows he recently lost his job, got it back as others went down, and doesn’t want to lose it again
Last 17 games .310/.429/.569 with 3 HR, 3 SB, 11 BB to just 9 K, then add in another multi-hit game tonight
You can tell it’s motivation
Braves first round pick Owen Murphy started again today in the FCL.
3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K and 4 ground outs to 0 fly outs
In total
5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
Today’s win to take the series from the Brewers:
Win-Venters
Hold-Brach
Cost-500k of international slot money that was never going to be used
Alex Anthopoulos is brilliant
Sounds like Dansby to Cubs. Despite losing Dansby Swanson the 2023 Braves will be better team than 2022 version.
•Acuña another year out from injury
•Ozzie healthy
•Look at Olson odd year stats vs even
•Full year of Mike
•Rosario has to be better
•Pitching remains strong
I had Caminiti as the best prep arm in the class. Still just 17, 4 solid or better pitches and solid command. Athletic, good bloodlines. Up to 98 at his peak and has been on the radar for a long time, so he’s really been watched closely many times
Count the errors on that play
Dansby shouldnt have run, Dansby should have worked harder to keep rundown alive, Riley should have just gone to third, Nick needed to take 2nd
Why MLB is in great shape for next 20 years
Age 20 seasons
Vlad, Soto, Tatis
Age 21
Acuña, Soroka
Age 22
Yordan, Devers, Eloy, Hiura, Riley, Gleyber, Hicks
Age 23
Bellinger, Paddack, McKay
Age 24
Alonso, Correa, Giolito, Ohtani, Buehler
With Adell and Wander and more coming
Who thought letting Kyle Muller make his MLB debut in a 1 run game with JD, Xander, and Devers due up was a good decision? Whoever is responsible should be fired for this.
More than just this game, you’re setting the kid up in an impossible situation. Just can’t happen
Cole Phillips is a steal by the Braves because he went for TJ surgery this spring. Would have been a first rounder if not for that. Red flags are health and a little old for class
Austin Riley
Ian Anderson
Bryse Wilson
Three guys who have been huge in this NLCS series, all drafted by the same man. The imprint of Brian Bridges is all over this club
Love this JR Ritchie pick. He’s got a ton of upside and a massive slider. Sure Porter is ranked higher but his price likely makes that unable to be a reality
I will say this. The Dansby contract certainly feels like something the Braves could have paid if they wanted to. Feels more like they didn’t think the player was worth the amount than it does about them being willing to spend
Braves top prospect Ambioris Tavarez hit his first pro homer today in the FCL.
The 18 year old Dominican SS was the top IFA they signed last year and is hitting .277/.304/.385 in 69 PA in his pro debut
Happy to see Bryse Wilson go. Not because I wanted to lose him but he gets to finally get consistent MLB starts, no more up and down and moved between roles
Tonight’s MVP to me has to be Kyle Wright.
Getting out of that first inning trouble then pitching some very strong innings against this Houston offense to give the team a chance to eventually take the lead was HUGE
“AA has no idea what he’s doing”
“AA is sitting back and blowing a chance to win”
Still 17 hours left before deadline but AA has added 2 relievers for literally nothing, a big power threat for spare parts, cleared out 40 man, and still working.
Sometimes it pays to be patient
What’s the most impressive part of this Touki Toussaint start for me? Not the 6 IP and 1 R, nor is it the 9 K to 0 BB.
Instead it’s the fact he’s through 6 innings with just 66 pitches.
He’s not only pitching very well, but he’s doing it very efficiently
Austin Riley is hitting leadoff for the GCL Braves today in his rehab start to get more ABs in. Also playing 3B and not just DH’ing.
Welcome back Austin
Sources reporting that the Braves have added top prospect Michael Harris to the active roster for tonight’s game against the Marlins.
@MoneyyyMikeee
really opening eyes in Braves camp
I’m going to go ahead and say it now. Kolby Allard has new life as a prospect. This is not the guy many were starting to write off. The velocity has been there. There’s some life at times. He throws strikes, has a breaking ball, and knows how to pitch
My god Touki Toussaint
8 shutout innings, 2 hits allowed, 4 walks, 8 K’s. Only taken him 103 pitches.
This was a very good Lehigh lineup with Cozens, Altherr, Goins, and AAA All Star Joey Meneses
You don’t get a DFA in this short season with no minor leagues and limited trade market due to no one truly out of it with a bad start or two....something had to have happened behind the scenes to go along with this start
Congrats to Kolby Allard on the trade- it means a real shot for him
He’s quietly put in a lot of work this past year to improve himself, and if you’ve watched him you’d see the results paying off
Also want to thank him for his time in the Braves system. Just a good guy/solid P
This is why Ronald Acuña Jr is so special. Not only can he go on homer binges and hit near .300, but he’s a 20 year old who was down 1-2 in count and forced a 9 pitch walk by taking pitches and fouling others off
That’s s very professional at bat by a kid that can’t buy a drink
I can announce now that it’s official. The
@Braves
have signed 18th round pick Mahki Backstrom the prep 1B out of California. A
@TalkingChop
favorite,
@mahkib123
is a guy we’re all rooting for
I have to say this about the Braves draft class this year. Not only is it a strong group of talented players, but one thing that people will notice is that the Braves got a bunch of very high character kids in the group. They’re as good people as they are players
The signing of Guanipa is exciting for the Braves today, and the kid they have for next year is actually even more hyped than Guanipa…who himself is
#6
on FG and 10 on BA IFA lists
Luke Sinnard is not a Day 2 pick in this draft. He should have been a Day 1 guy, but the fact he is recovering from TJ surgery dropped him a bit. A potential steal for the Braves
With Braves draft over I’d say it’s a solid class overall. A strong B grade on paper
•Seem likely to sign all 21 picks
•Lots of pitchers with data metrics
•Some good stuff with P’s
•Lots of good OBP guys
•High character guys
•Big upside in Drake, Waldrep, Kuehler, Baumann
CJ Alexander through 8 games:
30 at bats, 36 plate appearances
.433/.528/.667
1.195 OPS
2 3B
1 HR
8 RBI
6 BB....16.6% walk rate
3 K...8.3% K rate
He’s just dominating
Something to remember about the guy who hit that winning home run
Most didn’t see him as a first round pick and just as many thought he was a pitcher, but
@BrianBridges
and his team believed in Austin Riley enough to take him in the first round as a bat
It paid off big tonight
Scary thing about Michael Harris is 14 months ago he was not only playing high school ball, but a two way player that more teams preferred as a pitcher
His feel for the game is simply incredible and based on the two way past, we’re just scratching the surface of his potential
Luiz Gohara tonight
6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Those who wanted to write him off as he’s struggled through a tough year on and off the field need to remember how talented he is
Braves selected Wendell Rijo from Yankees in minor league Rule 5 draft.
I’ve seen plenty of Rijo. He’s definitely not as big as his listed size, but he’s a solid all around player. Hits the ball with some authority, has some athleticism and versatility.
Basically a good piece
I don’t care what the stats look like. Outside of the bunting issues, Cristian Pache looks like a veteran at the plate.
Patient, good feel for the zone, able to make two strike contact, held his own in pressure spots.
It’s going to work well for him going forward
Kevin Gausman is making a legit run at National League Pitcher of the Month for August as Braves 3-1 in his starts
Tonight 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Braves totals
27 IP, 20 H, 6 R, 6 BB, 17 K
2.00 ERA
0.96 WHIP
Braves moves I’d make this winter if I was AA. In order
1.Resign Ozuna
2.Sign Bauer
3.Resign Greene
4.Add bench bat/OF
5.Resign Melancon(less $)
6.Give Contreras backup C
7.Start on Freddie extension
8.Add another bench bat
9.Sign additional starter(AAA/pen) as insurance
Best news of the day is Camargo is no longer the starting 3B. Not that he’s not worthy, but I like him best in a Zobrist-like utility role. Rest JD plenty, give Ozzie and Dansby some days off. Keep everyone fresh all season long and still give Camargo starter at bats
Braves fifth round pick is local prep OF Isaiah Drake from North Atlanta HS. This is a strong pick as he’s a toolsy player with serious speed. Hit tool is the question mark
Braves draft through two days. I’d give it a solid A-. Don’t think there’s a ton of $ left for Day 3, but Caminiti is a big piece and Holton, Sinnard are nice adds as is Montgomery. Bagwell a lotto ticket. Hernandez, Sears, Hackman all bring something and think they like Samuels
This will be a fun offseason for the Braves
$60M off the books
Top prospects ready to contribute(Allard, Wright, Touki, Riley)
Big name free agents
We haven’t yet spent any prospect capital
Kevin Gausman is maybe the single most impactful player dealt at the deadline in the month of August as Braves 3-1 in his starts before today
Today 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
Braves totals
32 IP, 21 H, 6 R, 7 BB, 22 K
1.69 ERA
0.88 WHIP
Kevin Gausman is making a legit run at National League Pitcher of the Month for August as Braves 3-1 in his starts
Tonight 8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Braves totals
27 IP, 20 H, 6 R, 6 BB, 17 K
2.00 ERA
0.96 WHIP
Remember when we landed Kevin Gausman and some questioned if it was even an upgrade?
The way he’s looked so far tonight is a show of his true talent. Not saying he keeps pitching this way, but been saying all along there is much more in there
Hearing news from Braves taxi squad that young and recently added Michael Harris is quickly getting comfortable and looking very good against older pitching.
Just a matter of time before
@MoneyyyMikeee
starts climbing those national prospect lists
No surprise the Braves were able to lock up Sean Murphy longterm quickly as that seems to be something AA values. It does make the Max Fried situation more ominous as he’s the last piece yet to sign and I’m sure he’s had plenty of chances
Braves love their catchers and draft prep catcher Nick Montgomery in the 5th round. Arizona State recruit is a bat first guy with some defensive home questions, but love the pick as he has the bat to play. 6’4 with plus power
Dallas Keuchel is the Braves second best starter right now with how he’s pitched in his last three starts.
If I’m Alex Anthopoulos I’d start to talk to his agent about an extension right now for 2-3 more years
🚨🚨🚨 Breaking news: 🚨🚨🚨
Cleveland Indians top prospect Daniel Espino has been promoted from the Arizona League to college level New York Penn League’s Mahoning Valley Scrappers
Espino is the first prep pitcher in 2019 MLB Draft class to earn a promotion from complex league
My thoughts on the Dallas Keuchel signing
Braves brought in top front office/analytics guy from Houston in Mike Fast
Braves brought in catcher from Houston in Brian McCann
—
Braves brought in Keuchel, there’s no better analytics/scouting combo they can get to back decision up
Daniel Espino just received news of a personal invite to the MLB Draft with a video just for him from Harold Reynolds and then proceeds to thank his teammates individually
First two hitters in the eighth are swinging K’s for Kyle Wright and he finishes the game with 10 K as he gets removed after 7.2 IP due to hitting the 98 pitch limit
7.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K for Kyle Wright
This probably won’t be a popular opinion. I want to make the playoffs this year. Don’t think I needed to say that...but...I would prefer to miss the playoffs in 2018 than make a bad trade we regret for 10 years. No need to rush anything. Small moves for now. Big ones in winter
Working on writing up the Braves draft class for
@TalkingChop
and up to 2300+ words so far- and only on the 17th rounder. Every player so far has either video included, or a future full scouting report upon signing.
Going very deep on every member of the Braves draft class.
The Braves are in this position to compete in their first World Series in over two decades thanks to the work of Frank Wren, John Coppolella, Alex Anthopoulos, Brian Bridges, and many scouts.
AA gets a lot of credit for the trade deadline(deserved), but these others also helped
I still can’t believe the stars of the last few days are Billy Hamilton and Adeiny Hechavarria......but yes let’s criticize the front office some more because they don’t know what they’re doing
Nothing against Soroka or Touki.....but Kyle Wright is this close to being the Braves top prospect right now.
He’s the complete package. All he has to do is tighten up the breaking balls a bit
ESPN’s Cy Young predictor
1.Hyun-Jin Ryu 137.1
2.Stephen Strasburg 109.3
3.Mike Soroka 109.2
4.Clayton Kershaw 107.5
5.Walker Buehler 106.6
6.Sean Doolittle 105.1
10.Luke Jackson 98.7
Soroka is basically tied for second with Stras(who has 5 more games and 31.1 more IP)
This Billy Hamilton waiver claim suddenly makes chances of Cristian Pache being a piece of the playoff roster a little less likely.
Hamilton offers better speed and high level centerfield defense, along with not costing an option and service time for Pache, despite bat struggles
The more I think about it, the more I realize this is by far the deepest Braves roster in 15+ years.
We have multiple guys who won’t make Opening Day roster as starters, relievers, and bats.
Say this about Anthopoulos: the man realizes how important every spot on the roster is
Couldn’t be happier for Vaughn Grissom and his family right now. All of them are great people and get to experience a memorable debut at a historic park
Thoughts on the Ramirez deal.
Braves need to do that deal. And I like the guys they’d be giving up, but with JoRam this team is elite
Cleveland isn’t a true competitor now and by the time they are, JoRam contract up. If they believe in Waters/Langeliers/Riley, they gotta do it
Over his last 8 games William Contreras is hitting .462/.531/.769 with 2 2B, 2 HR, and 4 BB to 2 K. Also a .773 OPS in entire month of July
Over his last 7 games Greyson Jenista is hitting .368/.458/.421 with a double and 4 walks to 4 K. Also a .858 OPS in entire month of July
Royals may have found a keeper with this undrafted free agent reliever in Lexington, Brandon Marklund.
Can touch 97 MPH. Has an ERA of 0.45 and look at this nasty breaking ball to get Langeliers to swing and miss
Dodgers did well to get Manny at that cost as a right now team that had a hole and plenty of prospect depth.
Baltimore did well to get a lot more than a comp pick for Manny.
Braves did well to stay out of this as that’s more than the Braves should be paying for any rental now
Bryce Ball had 3 hits for Danville tonight, including his 2nd homer of the year.
He’s up to 8 hits through 4 games played. Can’t ask for a better start to a pro career
This draft is over. The Braves can’t be graded without seeing who signs. If they sign even 5 of the 6 big prep guys from today, it’s a solid B overall draft, B/B+ if they sign all six.
This shows just how strong today was for the Braves, adding both talent and quantity
Braves draftee Tyler Collins continues to assault FCL pitching today. With a triple and a walk hes up to a .500 average and 1.217 OPS through 17 plate appearances
I think I’ve changed my mind here. The guy running this team just isn’t the same guy we saw running Toronto. The aggression in making moves and targeting upside has just not been there at all
From over a month ago before he was ever connected to the Braves, I had said the guy I want as the new Braves GM is Alex Anthopoulos after watching the way he built Toronto up. Proven ability to get prospects and build a contender
Top 10 pitching prospects I’ve seen in pro ball this year
1.Casey Mize
2.Ian Anderson
3.Daniel Espino
4.Nate Pearson
5.Brendan McKay
6.Kyle Wright
7.Mitch Keller
8.J.Loaisiga
9.Bryse Wilson
10.Deivi Garcia
Carlos Vargas, Tucker Davidson, Adonis Medina, Kolby Allard, Anthony Kay