2:37pm: Atlanta has announced that Johnson and righty Akeel Morris were optioned to create roster space. With Albies in the lineup at second base tonight, it could well be that the Braves are readying to move on from Phillips — who could be traded or allowed to depart through a waiver claim, though he does have 12-team no-trade protection.
12:34pm: The Braves will promote top infield prospect Ozzie Albies for tonight’s game, according to MLB.com Pipeline (Twitter link) and MLB.com’s Mark Bowman (via Twitter). Pitching prospect Lucas Sims is also heading to the majors to make his first start, as David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported yesterday on Twitter.
The move on Albies comes as something of a post-deadline surprise, as the Braves’ infield mix currently includes veterans Brandon Phillips and Sean Rodriguez as well as younger players Johan Camargo and Micah Johnson (who was himself just promoted).
Albies has long been considered one of the organization’s best prospects and drew consensus top-twenty billing leaguewide entering the season. Though he scuffled a bit in his first attempt at the highest level of the minors in 2016, Albies has turned in solid results there in the present season. Through 448 trips to the plate, the 20-year-old switch-hitter carries a .285/.330/.440 batting line with 21 steals and nine home runs. That’s a nice jump in the long ball department for a player who launched just one ball out of the yard in his first two professional seasons and hit just six in 618 plate appearances last year.
It’s unclear how Atlanta intends to line up with Albies on the roster. He’s capable of playing both middle infield positions, but has spent most of his time in recent years at second. The thought had long been that Albies would form a double-play pairing with shortstop Dansby Swanson, and he may yet, but Swanson is currently back at Triple-A Gwinnett after struggling early on this year. The corresponding move isn’t yet known, but may be expected shed some light on the situation. Unless this is planned only as a quick trip up, though, the Braves will presumably be clearing the way for Albies to receive regular playing time.
As for Sims, his promotion comes with somewhat less fanfare but is notable in its own right. The former first-rounder had seen his prospect star fade somewhat in recent years, but he has turned in intriguing results this season at Gwinnett. Through 115 1/3 innings, Sims carries a 3.75 ERA with an excellent 10.3 K/9 against 2.8 BB/9 — marking a notable reversal from the control problems that have plagued him at times in the past.
While Sims already had a spot on the 40-man roster, Albies will still need to be added. Atlanta does appear to have some free slots available, though, so it may not be necessary for the club to risk control rights over any existing players. It remains to be seen who’ll depart the active roster to make an opening.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Exciting. Hopefully he hits the ground running.
Wow kind of a surprise but this was due. Let the young kids play!
Here we go
Is he coming up as a SS?
Where is camargo gonna play guys think about things before you post plz
Well Brandon Phillips is at 2B so….it’s a relevant question.
I don’t think Bfly will willingly take a seat on the bench so I don’t see how Albies gets an everyday look at 2nd.
My guess is Phillips will be traded by the end of next week.
Exactly, why wasn’t he traded for international bonus slot money or a project minor league player to clear up a spot pre-Deadline? Could they really find no bubble teams interested?
Exactly what I’m saying guys pay attention plan all along was and bp even said he knows he’s holding that 2nd base position for albies watch games before talking about plans and what players will do
I guess it’s difficult considering philips doesn’t want to be a part time player. Off the top of my head I can’t really think of a place for Phillips to start everyday that makes a lot of sense for the other team.
Nobody wants to be a part time player name one person who is ok with that BP is a professional player in that he knows what he was brought here to do
Dude, no way Camargo is going to block one of the top prospects in the game.
Adam Rosales, just moved from Oakland to Arizona, has been and is a part-time player. He knows that is his roles, plays hard, is a great teammate. He’s a professional baseball player. There are many others, most teams have them.
Didn’t BP get mad at the Reds for not starting him though?
Yes, they traded him to give more playing time to another former Brave top 2B prospect, Jose Peraza. He comes to ATL — another top Braves 2B prospect. Maybe he should ask for a trade to MIA, where he won’t need to worry about being displaced by prospect. 🙂
The Braves are in the penalty and can’t sign anyone to any value internationally. Adding international bonus money is not needed.
only thing worse than a baseball snob is one whom in all likelihood is more ignorant than those they berate,
a prospect, no….Dee Gordon…yes.
Once camargo’s 370 babip goes back down to Earth he looks like a nice utility infielder not a starter.
Lol talk about think before you post
He can come off the bench
Camargo is not a everyday player
Camargo is really slumping, especially since Dansby has been sent down. He could give up ABs for Albies to get a look.
It’s a genuine question. Think about that before you reply please
Yeah this was probably one of the more relevant comments on any Braves related post recently. It’s a good question. Phillips plays 2B. Camargo plays darn near everywhere and has come back to earth at the plate.
Alvie’s at SS Camargo to try out LF with Kemp on the DL. I see Camargo as almost a young Prado who can play wherever
*Albies
And on the 8th day, MLBTR blessed us with the “Edit” button.
Chill, he might be on the app
I literally had this same thought, earlier today. Johan Camargo = this wave of Braves talents version of Martin Prado. I would be ok with this. So long as we don’t trade him for this wave’s version of Uggla and Mike Dunn. Ugh.
Yeah I’m all for this. Let’s get the kids up while the likes of Markakis, Kemp, and the rest are there to help guide them. Also, as big a Bravos fan as I am, I’m logical enough to admit that we’re not contending this year so let’s experiment a little.
I only want Kemp showing Albies to the batting cages. Anything else, including where the bathroom is, and please direct your question to Freeman. Please.
For all of you ragging on Kemp, seem to forget the #’s of the Braves offense Pre-Kemp and Post-Kemp. He’s been a solid contributor to the lineup for Atlanta since coming over.
It’s not like their area any other power hitting options readily available that fit into Atlanta’s plan anyways.
If you’re saying “he’s not Hector Olivera” — pretty weak defense (pun intended). 🙂
I hate all of the ragging on Kim, just because he’s not a defensive with in the last half of his career, and because he’s a streaky Heather as he’s always been who in the fall season is a lock to hit 30 home runs and hitting the 280s. I would’ve absolutely loved to see what you guys would’ve said watching Mickey mantle, or Tony Gwynn play.
I like this move , let the kids play so we have a better idea of what to shop for this offseason
Pitching is the off season Goal again nothing has changed
I’d rather see them keep him down until the rosters expand. Swanson was supposed to be closer and we saw how that went. Really hope he does well though.
This would’ve made a lot more sense had they traded a guy like BP yesterday. Exciting to see Albies come up all the same, though.
That’s only one deadline don’t be suprised if he’s gone by September
It’s like the Wyclef song, but better.
They may still trade Phillips. If they can find a taker for his salary in a waiver trade, that would clear some space.
Only paying him $1M.
“taker for his salary”
Don’t think that’s an issue seeing as he is only making $1 million.
Ah, I didn’t realize that. I thought he was still on the big contract he had signed with the Reds.
He’s not only making a mil, the Braves are only on the hook for that. So whoever picking him up wouldn’t even be paying that much.
ATL brought Dansby up way too quick. He only had roughly 500 ABs in the minors and never reached AAA. They messed up his development regardless if he played College ball. At least they didn’t do the same with Albies.
Messed up his development???? You act like it ruins these guys to fail. Baseball is about failure, how you adjust to it and how you handle it. I think it’s good for him. Go down get some work and some confidence. He will be fine.
Yes, messed up his development. Do you think it was ever in the FO’s plan to send Dansby back down to AAA after almost a year of service?
I don’t think it was, but I also don’t feel that it will have any ill affect on him either. What did it hurt by giving him a chance? Y’all act like he’s done. Do y’all forget that glavine and smoltz learned how to pitch at the big league level. I believe glavine lost 20 games early in his career.
I will say, I don’t exactly disagree about Dansby. I hope it’s not to be seen that he has been messed up, but I think that all of us at this point can admit that Matt Whistler was a decent to good pitcher and now it’s practically useless at the major-league level. The same argument could be made for Aaron Blair.
Aaron Blair is awful. Wisler probably needs a change of venue at this point. Still think there is some upside there. What hurts a lot of the young pitchers is their aggressiveness. Trust your stuff and challenge hitters.
yes, they do forget this. All the freaking time, and it drives me bananas. I guess unless someone comes up and goes all Mike Trout on the league, they’re done the first time they have any kind of regression. Remember a guy named Andrelton Simmons. He was pretty good with a glove, couldn’t hit a lick? Yeah, what does his 3x slash line look like this year? Improvement is NOT LINEAR!
Dude, the failure rate for good – very good prospects is what, 70-80 percent.. To put it another way, if you have 10 g-vg prospects, 7 of them will do next to nothing. 1 will role play, 1 will be solid regular, MAYBE .5-1 becomes something more. Why do you think there are D league, low and high a, aa, and aaa teams for every MLB squad, just to fill out a 40, and then 25 man roster. Attrition is a monster in this game.
We will see if it did mess up his development.
I mean some players make it early, struggle, go back dowm sort it out and are fine. Some it messes them up forever.
Going to have to wait and see. I mean hes 23 right? Year in AAA isnt going to be the end of the world.
I agree. He just needs a little confidence boost and it may wake him up a little. I think he was pressing a little and lost his aggressiveness. If he would have hit the ground running this year no one would have said a word.
What is the thinking behind this move? Phillips will get regular playing time.. so Albies will play SS, only when Freddie is at 1st and Camargo is at 3rd.?or now camargo and Albies will fight for playing time?
Camargo is not going to be a starter next year. He had a hot stretch but his track record doesn’t seem to say he will continue hitting .300. Braves are also looking to trade BP.
Camargo has been nice for you guys but he’s not going to displace a top prospect. His BABIP is inflated right now and he doesn’t run all that well for a guy his size. I think he’s an above average utility guy but I don’t think you want him starting
Meh, he’s probably not going to be as good as people think.
I think on it’s own, this move makes sense to get his feet wet with a group of veterans who can help him transition to the big leagues with little pressure.
When you look at it in the big picture though, a nice part of Dansby going down to AAA was to have him and Ozzie play together and get accustomed to each other. That lasted 3 days.
I’m the same way, I don’t know why they don’t have Albies/Swanson together to further develop team chemistry. Sure, that can happen in the bigs, but if Swanson is struggling and the team has multiple 2B options (Camargo, Sean Rod, BP), why wouldn’t you?
Good times for a Braves fan. How else can you feel good about tanking for a top 5 draft slot. Sadly, that quasi cluster f has caught up to that front office. Trying to compete in 2017 was daft at best but probably just “moran”-ic. I will say that next year is looking amazing to be Braves fan though!
I agree one hundred percent
Fantastic
Matt Adams is in LF tonight with Santana at 3B.. ??
Don’t like the move. Didn’t they learn anything with Dansby that it doesn’t pay to rush guys. Should leave him down all this season and see how he is in spring training. Bring him up next year after the super 2 cut off. Leave Dansby down there until Sept and bring him back up.
Don’t bring Acuna up until next September I don’t care how good he is hitting. These guys need to be developed for the long term. I always believed Heyward was rushed and now Dansby it’s a marathon not a sprint. Guys need those minor league at bats to develop.
I am ok with Sims though he deserves to see if he could be a rotation guy for next year. Keep Allard and Soroka down until 2019. Morris needs to be back up though.
I love the call-ups, but why option Morris? He seems to be pitching pretty well.
I would’ve kept Morris and released Jim Johnson
You know they are desperate when they are calling up Sims. He has never been close to the prospect they were hoping they had drafted. Walk rate finally went down but guys are squaring his pitches more. He’s a pen arm at best. Another first round pick they whiffed on.
None of Wren’s prospects were close to what they hoped for when they drafted him — that’s why he’s emailing Dave Dombrowski scouting reports from the southeast and not making trades right now. For what it’s worth, Sims has really improved in a lot of the area he’s struggled (control) by reducing his walk rates, limiting runners, while keeping one of the best strikeout ratios in the league. I’d even say he’s turned more of a corner at AAA than Newcomb did before he was summoned.
They “whiffed” on Sims — and he hasn’t even thrown his first pitch yet? Are you an Orioles scout??
Freeman back at first because his arm hurts from throwing to first trying to act like comargo
Wow that was quick
I have to say sims really impressed last night
Agreed. He looked great against the best team in baseball. Nice to see a 1.00 WHIP in a MLB debut.
Sims look solid last night. Nothing elite, but he could very easily be a strong solid pitcher for the braves for a while if he pitches like that. Really, just one major mistake. Other than the HR, if the defense fields their position, he has a fantastic first game.
He looked elite to me in the since of throwing breaking balls in fastball counts that’s what stand out to me
I think at some point this season. If BP and Big City are traded. It’ll be
C- Flowers
1B- Freeman
2B- Albies
3B- Camargo
SS- Swanson
LF- Kemp
CF- Inciarte
RF- Markakis
Obviously that would mean a lot of things have to be done
Get rid of kemp too
It’s only a few at bats but Albies has been overmatch so far.
No surprise there. He’s earned it and Braves fans are justifiably excited.
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