Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 3/22/14
Atlanta Braves’ Top Prospects Better Off In AAA
There is a time every spring where some players get optioned off to the minor leagues or even completely cut. This week, the Atlanta Braves optioned five players back to the minor leagues, including Christian Bethancourt, Juan Jaime and Luis Vasquez to AAA Gwinnett.
For these players, this was the best situation possible really. For Jaime and Vasquez, who were both fighting for a spot in the Braves’ bullpen, they will have some time in the minor leagues to get their control in order and be ready for a call-up at any time.
In their case, these two pitchers could form into dominant bullpen arms when they hit the major leagues. Jaime and Vasquez both throw well above 95 MPH with their fastball, but both have had trouble with control. If they are able to fix their control problems, they will both be fixtures in the Braves’ bullpen for a long time to come.
Braves Spring Training Report: Full Update of Surprises, Busts and Injuries
Atlanta Braves fans have seen a little bit of everything this spring training, including season-ending injuries and free-agent signings. The season-ending injuries are never a wanted sight at this time of year, and they have forced the Braves to fill some holes.
Meanwhile, the players in camp are preparing for a fast-approaching Opening Day. Like any team, the Braves have had some pleasant surprises with elevated play. Unfortunately, the flip side of that coin is that the team has also had some flops this spring training.
Whether those elevated performances or struggles translate to the season or not remains to be seen. Until then, here’s an updated look at the Braves’ surprises, busts and injuries to this point in spring training.
Expected opening-day starter Teheran sharp vs. Tigers
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AKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Julio Teheran is in line to start opening day for the Braves, and again Friday he pitched like someone ready for the assignment.
Teheran was charged with two runs, two hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings of a 3-0 split-squad loss to the Tigers. He retired the first seven batters and last nine that he faced. He was perfect in four innings, and recorded 18 outs in 20 batters.
The Braves were also shut out in their other split-squad game Friday, an 8-0 loss to the Orioles in which reliever Anthony Varvaro gave up four hits, five runs and two walks in one inning.
“Teheran pitched great,” said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who’s expected to announce Saturday that the Colombian right-hander will start the March 31 opener at Milwaukee and name the order for the rest of the opening rotation.
In five Grapefruit League starts, Teheran has allowed 13 hits, three runs and three walks with 17 strikeouts in 19 innings, for a 1.42 ERA.
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