Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop Where Do Prospects Stack Up?
By Jeff Schafer
2015 Prospect Watch
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: MLB.com shared their Top 10 3rd base prospects and a newcomer for the Atlanta Braves has made the list! Rio Ruiz came to the Braves with the Evan Gattis trade to the Houston Astros. Ruiz is ranked #10 on their list of 3B and according to MLB.com, ranked #6 overall in the Braves system.
"Ruiz was a well-regarded prospect coming out of high school in 2012 and he began his career sharing the left side of the infield in the Astros organization with Carlos Correa, the first overall pick in that year’s Draft. That duo was broken up in January when the Astros included Ruiz in the package they sent to the Braves in the Evan Gattis trade.After struggling at the outset of his professional career, Ruiz made a mechanical adjustment to his swing that has led to much better production. He has demonstrated good on-base skills and does a good job of using the whole field to hit. His power largely translated to doubles to doubles in the low levels of the Minor Leagues, but as he physically matures he should start driving more balls over the fence.Though Ruiz still has room for improvement defensively, he has the look of a future everyday third baseman in the Major Leagues."
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- Braves News: Braves acquire Diaz, moves around the division, more
- Atlanta Braves 2012 Top Prospects Review: J.R. Graham
- Atlanta Braves Acquire Lewin Diaz from the Orioles
The Atlanta Braves will take the fun out of Jonny Gomes
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Interesting take from Call to the Pen’s Jon Flint. He believes that the Braves will take most of the fun away from the veteran outfielder. And after reading his article, he may be accurate in his statements. Though in recent years, you’ve seen silly, emotional, and intensity actions out of your Atlanta Braves, it may be coming to an end with the new reign. Hopefully not and Gomes is able to bring a lighthearted attitude but be able to turn the switch to seriousness when needed.
"For fans of the beard-tugging, star-spangled-banner-bearing Jonny Gomes, news of his deal with the Atlanta Braves is some of the offseason’s worst. Occasionally referred to as the “party police,” the Braves will undoubtedly stand in the way of “Jonny being Jonny” for at least one season.By his family’s account, Jonny Gomes grew up wanting to be a Jackass cast member as much as a ball player. This includes racing around the back roads of Petaluma, California, jumping off 40-foot bridges, and occasionally running through the streets naked. The man dubbed “MR. MISCHIEF” by his brother never did see the same glory of Johnny Knoxville, but he’s done his part to keep the game of baseball entertaining."
Atlanta Braves: Why We Hate Them
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: So…sounds like what the Braves are doing is getting under people’s skins. Tony Frye of Swinging A’s, though in good humor, wrote an article of why he hates the Braves. In this post he goes into details about Atlanta’s latest additions…some of which came from Oakland. He’s upset because these guys didn’t work out for the A’s but is concerned that they will for the Braves…I hope he’s correct in that.
"First, the Atlanta Braves go and grab Jim Johnson. I like Jim Johnson and was excited to have him in Oakland but the man with 100 saves in two years earned just two saves last year and wracked up an ERA just over 7. His time in Oakland was short and his time in Detroit was shorter. I’d love to see hi make an incredible comeback in the National League and prove all of us wrong but I just don’t see it happening.Then those brave souls in the Atlanta Braves front office go and grab Alberto Callaspo off the free agent market. I’m surprised they were able to contact him for contract negotiations seeing as he still hasn’t returned to the dugout from his last game with the Athletics (because he’s slow…get it?). Callaspo was an important addition in 2013 for the Athletics but spent much of 2014 perplexing fans as his plate discipline slipped and his defensive play became slow and lackadaisical. Lackadaisical, a word I use almost exclusively for Callaspo. Callaspo had one of his worst seasons in terms of K% and turned in the second lowest batting average of his major league career."