Top prospect Aaron Blair, acquired by the Braves in the Shelby Miller blockbuster, is a “strong possibility” to step into the Atlanta rotation on Sunday, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. While Mike Foltynewicz is another alternative, O’Brien notes that the start aligns better with Blair’s pitching schedule, and Blair has simply outperformed Foltynewicz this season. The primary reason to go with Foltynewicz over Blair would seemingly be to prevent Blair from gaining service time in an effort to avoid Super Two status, but manager Fredi Gonzalez tells O’Brien that such factors aren’t typically a concern for the organization. “I’ve been lucky, ever since I’ve been here that (delaying arbitration clock, avoiding Super Two) has never come out of anybody’s mouth,” said Gonzalez. Blair, 23, was the 36th overall pick in the 2013 draft and has allowed just three runs on 10 hits and five walks with 22 strikeouts through his first 19 innings at Triple-A this season. He rated comfortably among baseball’s top 100 prospects in the eyes of ESPN’s Keith Law (No. 39), Baseball Prospectus (No. 43) MLB.com (No. 54) and Baseball America (No. 60).
More from the NL East…
- Nationals center fielder Ben Revere is slowly progressing toward a return, writes MASNsports.com’s Mark Zuckerman. Revere, who strained his oblique on Opening Day, has begun running in the outfield and taking light swings, he tells Zuckerman. Though he’s a left-handed hitter, Revere is currently taking right-handed swings, per his doctors’ recommendation, in order to protect his oblique. The fleet-footed 27-year-old is still several weeks away from a return, Zuckerman notes.
- Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera tells Ryan Lawrence of PhillyVoice.com that he has made a concerted effort to improve his plate discipline this season as he looks to cut down on his strikeouts. “Too many for a little guy, you know?” Herrera asked rhetorically in reference to last year’s total of 129 punchouts. Herrera is still striking out at the same rate in 2016 (24 percent), but as Lawrence points out he’s also walked 15 times (22.7 percent) and leads the Majors with 5.03 pitches per plate appearance. The positive trends are strong indicators for one of the players that could be a part of the next contending version of the Phillies’ lineup, Lawrence adds.
- Barry Bonds has excelled in his new role as the Marlins’ hitting coach, writes Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. Passan spoke to Marlins stars Dee Gordon and Giancarlo Stanton, each of whom offered praise for the first-year hitting coach. “I want to get better,” said Gordon. “So why not let him help me get better? That would be foolish and prideful of me to be that way. He’s only the best hitter ever.” Bonds has embraced 2015 hitting coach Frank Menechino (now his assistant hitting coach) and the knowledge of Marlins hitters that he brought to the table, and he’s a down-to-Earth approach in working to educate Marlins batters in the arts of swing mechanics and the mental approach to hitting. “We’re both aware that pitchers’ meetings are about us,” Stanton told Passan. “They want to get us out. We’re the ones they focus on not to beat the other team. How do you maneuver? How do you stay patient?”
Hopefully it’s Blair for the Bravos in a couple of days. I’d like to see what he’s got in a big league situation! Plus I’d assume there’s a decent chance whichever of the two gets sent back down once Perez is eligible to be called back up since he was only sent down in the first place because the team needed emergency bullpen depth and he had just started on short rest. Long way of saying the service time considerations won’t matter too much since Blair or Folty will probably only be making a short appearance for the time being.
“But prospects are all unknowns who may just end up flaming out”
I want to see Blair be better than Miller this year
Miller is helping you out with his -.5 and random desire to punch the mound on his follow through
I would rather see Folty come up. First and foremost he deserves it and second I want them to give him every oppurtunity to see if he is going to be a starter or reliever for his career. I personally see Eric Gagne in him. Without the PEDs. But I can also see a hint of Roy Halladay in him as well as it took him a couple years to fully establish himself after bouncing up and down.
Let’s be honest Perez is what he is at this point a long reliever who on this club could really be valuable. I think Blair comes up after super 2 status passes and Bud Norris gets moved. Chacin seems like he has a chance to be this years Aaron Harang.
And Wisler has really looked solid. Give Folty his shot and see what he got.
He is neither eric gagne or roy halladay. You know how i know this? because those players are once in a decade + players. He is not.
Perez is not going to come back up if there is better pitching ready to go. I’d honestly want to see folty and Blair both come up and send bud Norris packing
Gagne was a failed starter who couldn’t get thru a line up a 2nd time. Sound familiar ( Mariano,Britton, Miller, Chapman, Familia, Flash Gordon) need I go on ? And I do agree Hallsday was a great pitcher but please don’t forget he bounced between minors, bullpen & rotation for 3 years before he became the dominating ace he came to be and the readon for that was also control issues . Everybody would agree the talent for Folty is there it just comes down to him harnessing his control issues. I am not saying he will have even close to the career either of those 2 guys have had just pointing out the similarities. Also for the record I believe out the bullpen Golty could be better than Gagne but def not on Halladay’s level starting wise.
Please don’t put Mariano with most of those…also don’t put him anywhere near “folty”
Nobody compared Mariano to anybody. He was a failed starter who turned himself into the best closer of all time. Mariano’s greatness comes in equal part to his longevity as well as his dominance. But over a shorter period of time there were more dominating closers they just couldn’t do it for as long as Mariano.
But anyway this is about Folty and using this year to figure out what we have a strikeout starting pitcher or a dominate reliever ?????
and he is neither Halladay or a dominant reliever. He’s a marginal talent. He may be a good to decent reliever.
You are obviously a braves fan. I’m glad that you have some hope for your team. The pilfering of the dback did a great service to that team. Freeman being helen keler did not.
It’s funny how you have so much Praise for a JUICE guy like Gagne. If you don’t believe it, look at his numbers after they started testing, plus so called injury he had.
I don’t have PRAISE for Gagne I actually believe he was a product of PEDs but that just shows your inability to comprehend what I am saying. All I was doing was using Gagne as a comparison of a failed SP that throws triple digits but can’t get thru a line up more than once. Absolutely no praise I actually always thought Gagne was overrated.
Ok I don’t know where you get that I am a Monday morning quarterback when I talk about how I want things to go and Monday morning quarterbacks tend to question decisions that have already been made and how they would have done things differently all after the fact.
And I never said Folty will be as good as Mariano. I used examples of guys that failed as starters and moved to the bullpen and were successful. All to debunk his “once in a decade” statement is in actuality it happens all the time. I never said Folty would be the next Mariano, Gagne, Britton, Familia, or even Tommy Hunter for that fact. All I stated was I wanted Folty to come up on Sunday to use this year to give him the oppurtunity to become a rotation piece or for him to have to realize his potential in the bullpen. As “chop” stated he may even become a Kyle Farnsworth type guy but we will never know until he is givin the oppurtunity and he fails or succeeds. He may not ever reach any level of success at all. How is that hindsight ?????
This is a rebuild how does any of the Brave players suck ? This is most guys 1st oppurtunities to develop at the major league level. And by no stretch is 25 old for SP to put it all together.
I was responding to chesterarthur
I am sorry I thought you were responding to me. Usually I am getting attacked at all angles on here
I agree just let Norris ride out til Super 2 status plays itself out. No reason to push Blair’s innings up to high either,
You call Gagne once in a lifetime I call him PED product flash in the pan.
I said once in a decade. And what’s the difference? Especially with new drug testing.
Difference is once in a decade is something a guy who hits triple digits may or may not be able to mirror. I could understand reaching on a comparison to Halladay which I didn’t do. And observing the similarities to Gagne. Because at the end of the day that what I believe Folty will become Gagne minus the PEDs
Folty reminds me more of Kyle Farnsworth than Eric Gagne.
Could be but that’s one of the things that I would like to see them figure out. I could see Farnsworth similarities. And for me that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to have either.
When it’s all said and done and I see the Braves making there fun towards the top I see Shae Simmons as the closer Folty and Vizcaino as the set up and Withrow, ManBan, Paco and Gant rounding out the bullpen.
Teheran, Wisler, Blair, Newcomb & a free agent like Peavy or a trade candidate like Sheilds until Fried is ready. Would love for them to spend the money and get Strasburg to be the leader of the staff but that is a pipe dream.
Dude, most of those pen pitchers are trash. You need to take off the homer glasses and relaize that the braves’ relief corps aren’t just destined to mirror some of the best ever cuz of the mphz.
Strasburg isn’t gonna come pitch on a mis team.
Teheran sucks and is done. period.
Peavy has been absolutely awful. Do you even watch baseball?
Did you not see that I said it was s pipe dream for Strasburg to come ? And I never said Peavy was gonna be like signing Maddux all over again. In essence he would be signed to be a 4th or 5th starter to be if anything else a veteran presence in the rotation ala Bartolo Colon or like back in 91 what Charlie Liebrandt provided. And yeah Peavy is off to a bad start but it’s early in the year if he is done than find another guy damn bring Medlen back I did say a free agent like Peavy not necessarily has to be Peavy. And as far as the bull pen pieces go Withrow in a small sample has proven to have ability as well as Vizcaino. The guys u speak of that are trash won’t be there the O’Flaherty the Jim Johndons or the Jason Grillis they are only here for the rebuild.
And you must not watch the Braves if you say Julio is done. Where I don’t think he will reach the level he was once projected as he could be a very formidable SP and he is signed to a team friendly contract thru the rebuild. I don’t know who your team is but it sounds like you are hating on the young talent the Braves have to develop. Cubs, Mets, Royals, Astros etc all had rebuilding years where you got to see guys like Harvey, Degrom, Hosmer, Correa, Bryant, Arrieta etc all have the oppurtunity to develop now it’s the Braves turn and I think it’s coming along quite nicely.
Peavy isn’t a 4th or 5th starter now. He’s awful JUST.STOP.
You’re a homer. Period. There is no doubt.
Nothing other than, “cuz i think so” says tehran will be anything other than bad.
LIke half your “developing players” were guys over 26 that just figured it out. That’s not developing. Carlos Correa is developing.
Keep drinking your homer tea. I honestly really like the braves, so i hope they are good again soon. But you’re just ridiculous in your expectations.
Where did I say Julio was gonna be the 2nd coming of of Maddux Smoltz or Glavine. He could be Millwood for all I care. As long as he puts out 200 IP with Newcomb, Wisler, Fried, Jenkins, Allard, Toki, Blair etc all coming up those are gonna be the guys developing into the forefront.
yeah I guess I am a homer whatever you don’t like it don’t respond
He’s not even being that ridiculous. The braves have always been a team that takes chances on pitchers that have been successful. Considering the fact that we have Roger McDowell in our dug out? Look at what we did with Harang, look at Ervin Santana and what trash he turned into after he left along with Harang watch Chacin go now. The braves have been able to successfully revive careers and that bullpen, the future is bright. Every one of those pitchers are young and solid and have high ceilings. I don’t agree with him saying Shae Simmons closing I really believe Vizcaino will be our closer for a long time, but I agree with a lot of what he’s saying. And who says Strasburg wouldn’t come to Atlanta? Once again with the braves history, Roger McDowell and the money we’ve freed up we could afford him. Might be all we could afford but that may be the only piece we need for years to come a solid ace. Depending on how these prospects pan out. We got Rio Ruiz or Austin Riley at third, Dansby Swanson and Ozzie Albies up the middle, Mallex Smith Ender Inciarte or Ronald Acuna in center or right, Dustin Peterson or Braxton Davidson at left, Lucas Herbert catching. We have depth. And on top of that at least three very high ceiling aces for the rotation in Newcombe, Toussaint, and Allard. Very well could have more plenty of 2-3 starters coming up. His expectations are far from ridiculous. The 3 Johns have done a great job in that front office and if anybody disagrees they’re either jealous of this teams future against theirs, or they simply don’t have a clue what their talking about
yeah I am not gonna nitpick over who is gonna be the closer. If it turns out being Vizcaino than so be it. If it turns out being Folty or Dimmons or we sign somebody else. I am just stating how I see things panning out. And I am trying to be as realistic as possible. For somebody to say that I am claiming our nucleus is even up on the major league roster is what is rediculous.
I think the youth is in the system. I believe this off season it is time to add a couple veterans. I was really wanting to add Adrian Beltre and Fransisco Cevelli but with Beltre reupping I am thinking more along the lines of Matt Wieters and Martin Prado. I am not sold on Garcia as an everyday player and I believe we can sign Wieters to a contract that will let Herbert slide right in when Wieters expires. I would also like to get a veteran for the pitching staff not somebody to be a number 1 but somebody the young guys can lean on. I have mentioned Peavy but there may be other options but basically somebody to do what Bartolo Colon does for the Mets. But if Strasburg could be had than by all means.
LINEUP
1. Albies 2B
2. Swanson SS
3. Freeman 1B
4. Wieters C
5. Markakis RF
6. Olivera/Inciarte LF platoon
7. Prado 3B
8. Mallex CF
BENCH
C. Flowers
Utility Jace
Utility Garcia
Of Frenchy
Rotation
1. Wisler
2. Julio
3. Blair
4. Veteran ????
5. Newcombe
Bullpen
1. Vizcaino Rhp
2. Folty RHP
3. Simmons RHP
4. Withrow RHP
5. Paco LHP
6. ManBan LHP
7. Gant long man
Inciarte will not platoon with Olivera that’s just dumb also rio Ruiz or Austin Riley will be starting at 3rd instead of prado. Ruiz is nearly ready no need in getting another veteran Jenkins can hold down a 4 or 5 spot. I would make a package around Lucas sims and try to acquire a better catcher wieters isn’t worth a crap anymore and will be 31 next year.
I don’t know bout that. Check out the splits Inciarte numbers are not great against lefties. In a perfect world Olivera is gone and Inciarte plays but the only other scenario I can see is someone getting moved all together in that case Inciarte would be moved.
Sims is gonna be a beast. He’s really starting to figure it out again. I say we lay on Tyler Flowers until Lucas Herbert or Jonathon Morales is ready. Two names that don’t get enough credit “sleeper prospects” that has a great chance to be something. If we have to have a catcher bc Flowers just isn’t working out or the other prospects are taking longer than expected, make a trade for Yasmani Grandal, or maybe sign Cervelli. I wouldn’t give Sims up for a catcher though. Not until we know that Herbert or Morales won’t have a chance to be our catcher of the future.
I agree Herbert is the catcher of the future but he was drafted last year putts high school. He is at a minimum 3 yrs away and probably more like 4. I don’t believe Flowers is the answer for 3-4 years. With a young pitching staff maybe Cervelli would be a good addition for 3-4 yrs. Although we are a little light on power in some power areas (RF,LF,3B) so I was thinking Wieters may be a nice fit. My 1st choice was Beltre at 3rd and Cervelli C but with Beltre reupping with Texas I say Wieters at C and Prado at 3rd. But maybe Ruiz if he is ready.
Hey “steelerbravenation” my comments were directed at “chesteraarthur” not you….after rereading my post I should have been more clear…..sorry
Hey “steelerbravenation”…..Mr. Know-It-All….AKA….Mr. 20-20 Hindsight…AKA…..Mr. Monday Morning Quarterback….AKA….Mr. I Am Always Right”….AKA…..”chesteraarthur”…..is someone who cannot conceptualize potential….nothing you have written is so “pie in the sky” that it could not happen….you may be optimistic but not delusional…..”chesteraarthur ” cannot even understand that your example of failed starters becoming great relievers is only an illustration of “what could happen” not a “literal” comparison that Foltynewicz is or is going to be as good as “Mariano Rivera” ……”chesteraarthur” makes his determinations based on what a player has already done or is doing…..so all your points about “what could be” are beyond his/her ability to understand…..you appear very knowledgeable about the Braves and what you have stated may occur…..you clearly state these are possibilities based on observation and opinion not absolute facts which is how “chesteraarthur ” argued against them…..under “chesteraarthur’s” way of thinking…..no player can be good until they have already proven they are good…..unfortunately baseball doesn’t work that way….a player has to be given a “CHANCE” first….
Posted s reply to u higher up I hit the wrong reply