Atlanta Braves News: The Chop, Danbsy Swanson’s Debut, Bonifacio Back In ATL

ESPN

Braves add utility player Emilio Bonifacio for extra bat

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Braves sent Bonifacio packing on the final day of the 2016 Spring Training as they designated him for assignment.  He cleared waivers and the Bravse signed him back to a minor league deal. The 31-year-old was hitting .333 with 10 stolen bases in 16 games for the Gwinnett Braves.  Withrow will be sent back down to Gwinnett as the 6’3″, 240 pound right-handed pitcher will continue to work on his control.  In 2016, he’s appeared in 10 games for the Braves with a 3.86 ERA, five walks, four strikeouts and allowed one home run.

"The Atlanta Braves have added an extra bat for their bench by selecting the contract of veteran utility player Emilio Bonifacio from Triple-A Gwinnett.Reliever Chris Withrow was optioned to Gwinnett on Sunday to make room on the 25-man roster.Withrow allowed an eighth-inning grand slam to Matt Szczur in that game, sending Atlanta to its ninth loss in 10 games. Saturday’s game was rained out."

The Telegraph

Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson continue to shine for Atlanta Braves in minors

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Saturday, both Albies and Swanson were promoted…not to Atlanta, but to a higher affiliate.  You already know this though. Did you know that Swanson went 2-3 with a home run, a double and three RBIs?  Pretty good debut with the Mississippi Braves.  Albies is with the Gwinnett Braves now and went 0-3 in his debut.  Grant McAuley did say on Twitter that Albies hit the ball all three times and they were all well struck line drives.

"The Atlanta Braves’ rebuilding process accelerated just a bit Saturday with the promotion of their two best position players on the farm, both shortstops. Ozzie Albies went from Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett, while Dansby Swanson leaves High Single-A Carolina to replace Albies in the Southern League.They’ve been playing a little more than three weeks, but both proved the level they were at was not a challenge. Albies, who is just 19 years old, hit .369 in Mississippi, while Swanson, last year’s top overall pick from Vanderbilt, hit .331 in Carolina.They got on base a lot, too. Albies’ on-base percentage was .442, with Swanson’s just a point lower at .441.These two players are why there is hope for this Braves team. They are talented, and isn’t that what’s missing in Atlanta now? Talent. These two aren’t going to save this season if they are brought up later this year. But they might just give us a glimpse of why not all is lost in the Braves getting back on track."

Call To The Pen

Atlanta Braves: Fredi Gonzalez to be fired soon

Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The MLB coaches hot seat…Fredi is definitely on this list.  Many are calling for Gonzalez’s job as soon as possible and it’s for a good reason.  Yesterday’s game against the Chicago Cubs was rained out and it’s probably a good thing…the Braves are now 5-18 for the 2016 season.  Things are looking brighter for the Braves – Aaron Blair’s start, Mallex Smith hitting, Freddie Freeman swinging well – but we still aren’t a good team.  Will a coaching change help this at all?  Probably not for the 2016 season, but we’ve known this season was a lost season for a while now.  Does bringing in someone as soon as possible to get to know the organization, help or hurt? 

"Firing a manager so early in a season is not always best for morale, but Gonzalez struggled last year and only appears to be headed for worse this year.He led the Braves to the playoffs in 2012 and 2013, but the results have been downhill since then.He also was the manager of the team in 2011, when the Braves blew a massive Wild Card lead in September, which was a bad omen from the start."