Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Evan Rutckyj, 30 Greatest Moments
By Jeff Schafer
Pitcher Who Liked The Braves More Than The Yankees Sent Back To The Yankees
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The 24-year-old, Evan Rutckyj was sent back to the New York Yankees on Friday morning. The Braves acquired Rutckyj in the 2015 Rule 5 draft and it initially cost them $50k, but now that they’re sending him back to the Yankees, they will now receive $25k in relief for the Yankees to agreeing to take him back. Atlanta’s left-handed pitchers in the MLB bullpen has become very slim as I’m sure they will look for options deep in Spring Training as teams start cutting players.
"The Atlanta Braves picked lefty Evan Rutckyj in the Rule 5 draft in December, taking him from the New York Yankees’ organization. The pitcher was happy for a change of scenery. Too bad for Rutckyj: The 24-year-old’s going back to the Yankees.The transaction comes a few days after Rutckyj told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution how he felt more welcome in the Braves’ organization:“I feel like we can talk to anybody here,” said Rutckyj, (pronounced RUT-skee). “It’s kind of different from the Yankees, where if one of the coordinators or somebody walks by you, like, put your head down and mind your own business. But here everybody wants you to talk to them.”"
Bonifacio homers, Olivera records RBI
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Hector Olivera continues his hot Spring Training as he hit an RBI single in the 4th inning. The Braves defeated the Marlins 6-5 on Friday afternoon as Nate Freiman was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 9th inning and Chase d’Artaud scored. Atlanta is now 5-13 for the 2016 Spring Training.
"Wisler retired the first five batters before surrendering extra-base hits to three of the next six batters he faced. The Marlins tallied a second-inning run courtesy of doubles by J.T Realmuto and Adeiny Hechavarria. They added another in the third, when Ozuna belted a solo homer that cleared the tall scoreboard in left-center field.Wisler retired seven of the final eight batters, allowing just two earned runs over four innings. He has given up three earned runs over 8 2/3 frames in three Grapefruit League starts.“You know what I liked?” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He got back up on the mound and he kept pounding the strike zone. I don’t think he ended up walking anybody and his three-ball count off the top of my head might be zero. He got hit, but here’s the difference between this year and when we first saw him last year: It would have been panic, and then walk two guys, and all crazy stuff.”"
Braves Poll: Top Moments in Last 30 Years
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Top moments in the last 30 years, yes please…I’ll watch. There has been many great moments that I can think of off the top of my head, but it’s fun to see what MLB Tonight thinks. Let’s see if we can add to this list in 2016.