Atlanta Braves: Minors Offer Glimpse of Future; Time to See What They Got

Watching this year’s Atlanta Braves has been a mix of highs and lows, but mostly lows. As August draws to a close, most of us know that September marks the time where rosters expand. I for one, always look forward to the September call-ups.

I’ve come to accept that the Braves will not challenge for a playoff spot. I accepted this long ago, but that still doesn’t mean I won’t quit watching them. I love this team. Losing is never easy to watch. But to truly have success, one must experience failure. Growing pains are part of life.

Ever go to a job interview, particularly right out of college, and were told “we just need someone with more experience”. If everyone is looking for experience, how in the world am I supposed to land a job?

This year has seen tons of guys come through to get experience. 30+ different pitchers were offered experience. Not many were left standing. Trades, releases, and options sent many to get more experience and develop their craft.

I think it’s now time, as fans, to experience what this highly touted and talked up farm system has to offer.

If the 1980’s taught me anything, it’s that if you remain true to your allegiance and always invest wholeheartedly, the elation that ensues when the final out of a World Series is recorded is by far and away the best feeling one could imagine.

Cruising around Twitter yesterday, I found something that really excited me:

Danville - 9 games back

Rome - Eliminated

Carolina - 4.5 games back

Mississippi - 0.5 game lead

Gwinnett - 2.5 games behind
— Braves Reddit (@BravesReddit) August 26, 2015

This simple, yet telling compilation gives me tremendous hope. What I see here is a group of minor league teams that are COMPETING. Carolina, Mississippi, and Gwinnett. Our three highest levels of the farm, find themselves in the thick of a pennant race.

This excites me for a few reasons.

These guys are playing as a team
They are buying into the movement/culture
The individual talent is very strong
John Hart knows EXACTLY what he is doing

When September call-ups come around, we will get to see what our exciting, talented future holds. A small sample size is better than no sample size. It’s time to get these kids up and get them some MLB experience.

Time to let them see how they stack up against Major League pitching and Major League hitting. 2016 will be the season of evaluation for everything Hart has done and will do. Spring Training invites could be based a lot on how these guys do in September.

Ah, but who gets the opportunity this year for experience? Who’s earned that September call-up?

September for me is like a new season. Weird, I know, but it gets me excited to see what these kids can do and what 2016 could look like.

It’s no secret we have seen high moments of adulation and undulation, both witnessed from both extremes of the spectrum.