Spring Training Ins and Outs
By Fred Owens
Jose Peraza and four others were transferred to minor league camp today
We learned this Saturday that Joe Benson and Keith Curcio had been transferred to the major league camp. Now we know the rest of the story.
Out but Not For Good
After two weeks of full time spring training the Braves sent the prospects with names we all know by now to minor league camp. Jose Peraza, Mallex Smith, Rio Ruiz and Jason Hursh are at or near the top of the prospect list and in the case of Smith and Ruiz it was a chance for a first look at players obtained in the retooling process undertaken by John Hart and company.
It was a chance for Fredi Gonzalez and crew to see up close and personal the kind of talent moving through the pipeline but these gentlemen weren’t likely to break camp with the big team. Also returned to minor league camp was center field hopeful Cedric Hunter, shortstop Daniel Castro and two catchers Matt Kennelly and Chris O’Dowd . Kennelly’s been in the Braves system since signing in 2007 but O’Dowd came over from the Rockies in the David Hale trade.
One has to think Hunter had a real shot at making the team as the Braves rolled the dice to see who could play center field behind Melvin Upton this year. He failed to take that chance going 1 for 17 at the plate and having some defensive challenges in center field. Castro played fine defense but with Simmons now healthy he’s excess to needs and now that the pitchers are working regularly in games the need for extra bullpen catchers vanished as well. First impressions for the name prospects went better.
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Smith went 4 for 11, stole a couple of bags and played solid center field, Ruiz didn’t play as often but spent a lot of time working with Terry Pendleton at third. When he did play he walked a couple of times, went 1 for 5 and made a fine play behind the bag at third.
For Hursh it was a chance to work directly with Roger McDowell and learn by osmosis from the veteran arms around him. It was the second trip to the Braves camp in spring for the big right hander from Texas but with so many new arms in camp his work was limited to one appearance and that one is forgettable. . .so I will. The most buzz of course was around Peraza.
Peraza struggled to find his way this spring but that’s not unusual or unexpected. He’s 20 years old and has heard his name on every media outlet he listened to all winter. The pressure of the spotlight got to him but manager Fredi Gonzalez told David O’Brien that was nothing to worry about.
"“It’s like any guy whose name has been out there for four months,” Gonzalez said before imitating a nervous batter. “But he’ll be better off next time. It will be somebody else’s turn (for the attention).”"
Peraza has only 195 AB above A ball and the pitchers he faced in big league camp were a lot different than most he’s seen before. Another season at AA – AAA will make him a better hitter. The Braves even toyed with him in center field after Jace Peterson made them sit up and take notice with his play around second.