Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop 8/26
By Jeff Schafer
Joey Terdoslavich Named IL Batter of the Week
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: JOEYT!! He continues to swing a hot bat for Gwinnett as he was named IL batter of the week. He has struggled through the season but now seems to have found his swing. The Gwinnett Braves have not had the best season (60-76) and actually hold the worst record in the International League. Congrats Joey!
"The International League office has awarded Gwinnett Braves first baseman Joey Terdoslavich with Batter of the Week honors for the period of August 18-24. Terdoslavich has won the award for the second time this season, as he was also named IL Batter of the Week for April 21-27.Terdoslavich, 25, batted .385 (10-for-26) with five home runs, nine runs scored and nine RBIs in seven games from August 18-24. On August 21, he became the first player in Gwinnett Braves franchise history to homer in five straight games, belting a solo shot off Charlotte’s Andre Rienzo in the G-Braves’ 10-6 win at Coolray Field."
Stanton not only choice
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: As our own, Alan Carpenter, covered this story yesterday…the Braves signed Jason Heyward to a two year $13.3 million dollar deal prior to the 2014 season but some folks don’t feel as though he’ll stay in a Braves uniform for the entire two seasons. Heyward is one of my favorite Braves players so I hope this is inaccurate reporting but you never know what will happen.
"Heyward would be the left-handed bat the Sox need to balance out an offense that suddenly has a decidedly right-handed lean thanks to the additions of Yoenis Cespedes, Allen Craig and new Cuban center fielder Rusney Castillo. He also sees his share of pitches and doesn’t tend to rack up high strikeout totals, keeping the line moving through the heart of the batting order.And Heyward plays Gold Glove-caliber defense, making him a safe bet to handle Fenway Park’s tricky right field as well as Shane Victorino did last season."
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Graham offers Braves options in role on mound
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Notes: I watched J.R. Graham pitch in a 2013 Spring Training game and was amazing by his presence on the mound. He threw lots of strikes, a fastball by MLB hitters and a wicked curveball. Then a shoulder injury occurred and the Braves shut Graham down. Now back and potentially full healthy, Graham looks to be on track to maybe join the Braves if needed down the stretch.
"This season, Graham has returned to Double-A Mississippi. Showing he had recovered from his shoulder woes, he had an ERA of 1.86 in five April starts. Graham was selected to the Southern League All-Star Game, where I saw him pitch this past July in Chattanooga, Tenn. He threw two-thirds of an inning, yielding a run on two hits. Graham gave up a home run to Scott Schebler of the Dodgers’ organization.While injury risk still lingers with any pitcher that has been shut down with shoulder issues, Graham did not require surgery during his time on the disabled list in 2013. When I saw him, he was throwing free and easy. Graham has a very reliable slider in the mid-80s, and an improving changeup accompanies his sinking fastball to form a repertoire that serves him well. He can use those pitches as part of the rotation or the bullpen. Graham pounds the lower portion of the strike zone, inducing enough ground balls to get out of trouble if needed."
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