Morning Chop: Braves News 3/27
By Jeff Schafer
Mar 14, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer (17) dives back to first base safely against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Braves 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to the newest addition to Tomahawk Take, it’s where you can find all the Braves news you missed throughout the last day and evening. Don’t have time to read the entire article? We’ll scan articles to find the best information for you. Then, we’ll summarize you with all the information you can handle, every morning, all in one spot. “It’s your one stop, Morning Chop”
Jordan Schafer Positioned to Make Atlanta Braves
"News came from Atlanta Braves‘ camp on Monday that Jose Constanza, Tyler Pastornicky and David Carpenter were being optioned to the minors. That has all but locked up Jordan Schafer on the Opening Day roster.Unless the Braves choose the unlikely route of keeping three catchers to start the season without Brian McCann, Schafer will be the fifth outfielder on the MLB roster. That must be a redeeming feeling for the 26-year-old who has endured a long journey to get to this point."
The Top Five Defenders for 2013
"1. Andrelton Simmons | SS, Atlanta BravesProjected DRS: 20It may seem like a bold prediction to designate Simmons as the DRS leader before he has even played 50 games in the majors, but when you look at his numbers from his limited time in 2012, you may wonder if we are still too conservative. Simmons saved 19 runs with his stellar defense in only 49 games in 2012, likely one-third of the playing time he’ll receive this season. He had the second-most runs saved at shortstop — still well short of Brendan Ryan‘s 27 runs saved — and the 10th-most runs saved at any position.So far, Simmons has not shown any real weaknesses in his defensive game, but he is perhaps most effective due to his lateral range. He, Ryan and J.J. Hardy were the only three shortstops to make seven or more plays above average to both their left and their right last season."
March 20, 2013; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Evan Gattis (68) throws to second base during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terdo Could Be Back; Gattis Sticking Around?
"Joey Terdoslavich accomplished that.He showed team officials that he could be a viable option for an outfield or first-base job if they have an injury or a bench player struggles this season. And he took the news about being sent down exactly the way team officials want a player to take it.“I learned a lot,” he said. “I knew it was going to be really tough for me to make the team, now I’ve just got to go down and get my at-bats and continue to build on what I started here, and just continue to work….“Anything can happen. I’m just excited to start the season and get things rolling, and just build on what I did here. Take it one day at a time. Focus on where I’m at. If that’s Gwinnett, just focus every day, one day at a time, and not worry about what goes on anywhere else…Maybe Bethancourt develops into the catcher of the Braves’ future. But maybe, just maybe, Evan Gattis has thrown his own name into that discussion with his performance in the minor leagues, in winter ball, and this spring, where he was hitting .388 through Sunday with five doubles, five homers and a team-leading .796 slugging percentage while showing solid defensive skills – significantly better defense than many expected – and working well with most Braves pitchers.The Braves are intrigued about the possibility of having the 240-pound, 26-year-old rookie on the 25-man roster, either in a backup/pinch-hitting role or perhaps even behind the plate a lot while Brian McCann continues his recovery from shoulder surgery in the opening weeks of the season."
Best Atlanta Braves Fantasy Baseball Team Names for 2013
"That’s Just BeachyUp, Up and a-HeyYes We McCann!Super Upton BrothersFreddie Got Freeman’dThe Good, the Bad and the UgglaThe J-Hey KidsThe Wood ChippersCarry on my Heyward SonTeheran Up My Heart"