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Spring Training 08 (394)
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Atlanta Braves: Spring Training Information[ Comments (4) ] [ Full Story ]
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By Jenny[ Tagged: Braves, Info, Spring Training 08 ] Location: Champions Stadium– Lake Buena Vista, FLA Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 14th First Game: Feb. 28th Schedule Projected Opening Day Lineup
Miscellaneous: Royce Ring, Blaine Boyer, Manny Acosta 7th Inning: Will Ohman (L), Tyler Yates (R) 8th Inning: Mike Gonzalez (L), Peter Moylan (R) Closer: Rafael Soriano Key Battles: The biggest change for the Braves in 2008 will of course be in centerfield. I would love to see somebody, anybody, come out of nowhere and steal the job from Kotsay, but even if a Brandon Jones or Jordan Shafer has an unbelievable spring, Bobby is as fond of baseball's older gentlemen as I am of inexperienced rookies, so it likely wouldn't matter. I'm hoping Kotsay will prove me wrong, and somehow morph from "sign of the apocalypse" to "pleasant surprise," but I wouldn't put money on it. Another significant change is at short stop, with Escobar taking over for Renteria, another guy we can no longer afford. They were both impressive last year, and I've got high hopes for Yunel, particularly as a lead off man. Clint Sammons, Javy Lopez and Corky Miller will compete for the backup catcher position. I'd personally like to see Clint get a chance, but I'm almost positive that Bobby's tendency to go with the older guy and this nostalgic kick that was partially responsible for bringing Glavine back to town will win Javy the job. I'm not as charmed by the idea as most Braves fans. Nobody seems to be especially worried about the rotation, and while Glavine will be an improvement over what we had last year (Smoltz, Huddy, pray for rain), I continue to be afraid that the back end will be our undoing. Hampton as a projected fourth is terrifying. He managed to get himself injured almost immediately in winter ball, but suddenly there is a lot of optimistic talk about his potential contribution after two years on the bench. You won't find any of that optimism here! Smoltz seemed to tire toward the end of 2007, and Glavine's second half was devastating for the Mets. Smoltz has mentioned in interviews that he won't be doing as much in-game pitching during spring training this year, in an effort to reserve some of that energy for later in the season. I'm not sure how much of a difference that will make, but I'm glad he's thinking along those lines. I don't know what to say about Glavine except that I seem to be the only person in Atlanta who can't stand him, but I hope he does well for us this year. I'm especially curious to see how Chuck James and the other youngsters perform in spring training. Chuck had some injury troubles last year, and I'm at a crossroads as far as what I expect from him now, after initially being very optimistic about his future. And of course, the mysterious man in a box, Mike Hampton, will be a particular point of interest. The bullpen will be fine if Soriano and Gonzalez stay healthy, and if Moylan continues along the path he treaded steadily last year. Yates had a good 2007 despite insane overuse, and should be a contributor. I think trading Devine was a mistake, but our bullpen is actually pretty well stocked, though I don't know what to think about Blaine Boyer and am looking forward to seeing him work this spring after all the injury struggles. What To Expect: In all honesty, I feel nervous about this season for the Braves. Maybe it's post-Andruw jitters, or reservations about the reanimated 1995 alums, but I hope a few weeks into spring training will help to ease my fears. I'll be down in Orlando from February 28 through March 3, taking pictures and posting observations. My hopes for this year include continued progress for Frenchy's plate discipline and excellent field work, good years for my underappreciated favorites Johnson and Diaz, and please, for the love of God, a healthy pitching staff. That means you, Hampton. Jenny follows the Braves on her blog, Velcro Vernacular. CommentsThanks, Ken. I was actually imagining KJ would bat 2nd, but that projected lineup is taken straight from the Braves' official website, unfortunately. Hopefully that will shift around during spring training, because I think KJ would do well at the top of the order. I hope your son enjoys his first spring training -- it's taken me 25 years to get to mine, and I'm excited! Well, two things. First, you're clearly one of those fans who fetishizes young talent. There's no reason in the world to think Clint Sammons will be better than Javy Lopez, especially off the bench. Nor would jumping Schafer from A-ball be more productive than a healthy Kotsay. If you'll check, Glavine's second half was much better than John Maine's, but you don't hear people worrying about John Maine. Yeah, some the Braves' pitchers are old and they can get hurt. You're a lot more likely to see 32 starts from Glavine or Smoltz than from Chuck James. With Jurrjens, Reyes and Bennett in the wings, we have a ton more options than last year. I can't think of another team with the depth in their rotation that we have. Second, Mike Gonzales does not need to "stay healthy" he needs to "get healthy", as he is scheduled to return from his TJ surgery in June or July. |
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Spring Training '08 is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.
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Jenny: Enjoyed your take on the Braves. I hope you get your wish in CF. Kotsay and that chronic back should open up a door.
Have always been high on Escobar and Kelly Johnson. Do you relaly think KJ will bat 8th? Geez, I hope not. I think TEIX will carry this team and Francoeur will collect alot of the RBIS that Andruw left behind.
I'm taking my son to his first Spring Training in early March. We will see the Braves on 3/1 at OSCEOLA and then on 3/4 in Disney. We will be snapping some pictures as well. Thanks for your report.