That was the word on Bethancourt, yes. In that link John Hart tells Mark Bradley that other young, touted catchers struggled before figuring it out.
I don't think that's a readily available stat. You are correct, there haven't been many 1-2-3 innings for relief pitchers.
He's played five games for G-Braves.
36 more games for McKirahan, 16 for Vizcaino.
The Braves changed their entire offensive approach and, surprisingly, it's gone pretty much they way they envisioned. Lots of contact hitters and not a lot of power has equaled more runs. I have to admit I didn't think it would work so well. The Braves deserve credit for that, I think. I'd say your plan is the prudent course. No need to trade away promising prospects for veterans. Also, I think the Nats eventually will pull away so there won't be much pressure for the Braves to make a move.
I think it's the normal struggles of a young pitcher. In his last couple starts it seemed to me that Folty was not confident in his fastball, which is weird because he has a very good one. I think back to spring training when he seemed focused on his secondary pitches. That's part of his development, of course, but don't forget about that great fastball.
It is weird. The part of me that agrees with numbers guys says it's a small sample size (eight at-bats) and that RISP hitting is a matter of luck more than anything else. This is especially true for a guy such as Markakis, who is a contact hitter and isn't having to change his approach with bases loaded. So I'll just go with bad luck as the explanation.
I think we'll see Banuelos soon. The other day Fredi G. said the Braves are fine with bringing a young starter up in to pitch out of the pen and developing him that way. They already did that with Williams Perez so I could see them doing the same with Banuelos or Wisler.
I'm guessing Shelby Miller for sure and maybe Freddie Freeman.
He gets some credit. I think he's had a particularly strong influence on Cameron Maybin.
No word yet. DOB is in Boston. Check his Twitter timeline for the latest.
Fair point. Then again, it's looking as if they don't have to be really good to win the division.
Thanks everyone for your questions. Please come back next week, same day and time, for another Braves mailbag.
I understand the keen interest of so many folks, but really, if there was an update, think about it: We'd have posted something. No one is keeping this info quiet once they get it.
Everybody doesn't. Plenty do. Fans of a team tend to get preoccupied with their own players, particularly ones who were as ballyhooed for as long as Heyward was. Flaws are overlooked, or they are given far more benefit of doubt -- "potential" is noted, even when said player has been in the league for nearly six years and is in what should be his peak years.
Team has overachieved to be .500 at this point. If things stay as they are, I certainly wouldn't expect him to be fired. I'd be quite surprised, in fact.
Yes, in recent weeks it certainly has show signs, after that horrendous previous month. Key guys are getting accustomed to their roles, a small core of guys has started to stabilize a bit.
Off top of my head, I think it was about $2.4-$2.5M
I think protective netting is inevitable. Makes no sense not to, before someone gets killed. Shouldn't take a death to be impetus, as it was in hockey.
