Overview of Spring Training Game Three

Braves had a little batting practice vs the Houston Astros beating them 13-3 in today's game. Even with the high score, there were no home runs hit by any Braves player.

-Derek Lowe did well, pitching the usual 2 innings, allowing 2 hits but no runs allowed.

-Chipper Jones played again at DH. 1-2 with an RBI and a walk.

- I mentioned keeping an eye on Nate McLouth. Well he's off to a hot start. He went 2-2 with 3 runs, 2 RBI, and 2 walks. We need a bounce back from this guy.

-Newly acquired relief pitcher Scott Linebrink gave up 3 hits and 2 ER in an inning of work. Nothing to worry about just yet.

- Martin Prado looks to be doing well after missing last years playoffs from injury.

Braves play the Astros for game four tomorrow.

Spring Training Game Recap

Yesterday, the Braves played the Mets again for their second spring training game. They lost 5-4 this time, however it is no big deal.

-Chipper Jones sees his first real action since the ACL injury. He played as the DH and went 1-3. He even attempted to break up a double play by sliding carefully into 2nd base. Aside from slight fluid build up around knee, things look good so far.

-I'm keeping close eye on CFer Jordan Schafer this spring. So far not a whole lot to show. Still way too early to come to conclusions. Nate McLouth is the other on to keep an eye on.

-Three guys who are are fighting to fill the last spot of the rotation pitched in today's game. Rodrigo Lopez, Mike Minor, and Brandon Beachy. I'm rooting for Mike Minor here.

-Lopez pitched 2 scoreless innings with 1 BB and 1 SO.
-Minor pitched 2 scoreless innings. No hits allowed, no walks, no strikeouts, a clean outing.
-Beachy pitched 2 innings, giving up 2 ER. 3 SO are only plus.

-Scott Proctor gave up the rest of the runs. 3 ER, 2 BB in 1 inning of work. Why do we keep hanging on to this guy?


Derek Lowe will be next to pitch, starting today's game.

First Spring Training Game

Today was the first spring training game for the Atlanta Braves. The game ended up being a tie. 5-5 was the score after 10 innings vs the New York Mets. It's one thing to get excited, but keep in mind that spring training games are pretty much meaningless, except for a few players that are battling for a spot on the team.

Here is the game boxscore.

Things to note:

-Freddie Freeman went 3 for 3, three doubles that is.

-Eric Hinske 1 for 3 with a home run. Nice pop off the bench. Glad we resigned the guy.

-Jair Jurrjens pitched 2 scoreless innings with one strike out. If I am seeing this right, he only threw 9 pitches, all for strikes.

-Craig Kimbrel had a rough outing. I'm not to be worried unless this goes on all spring. He just has to work on lowering his walks.

The Braves will play the Mets again tomorrow. Chipper Jones will get his first at bat in since the knee injury, and will be batting as the DH.

Frank Wren Signs Extension

Braves General Manager Frank Wren has signed for an extra two years, going to 2013. I think it's well deserving and I have no objections to this. He wasn't signed for long term either so if he does somehow send the team spiraling downward, at least his contract will be up shortly. I'm pretty sure it's a guaranteed contract so even if he was "fired" the team would still have to pay until the contract is up. I don't think they get paid anything like the ball player does but it's still money.

Taking it one step at a time is good.

Here's an article. Link to Mark Bowman's twitter as well.

Predicting Tommy Hanson

I figured I would go with Tommy Hanson next in my predictions. He seems to be one of the easier guys for me to round up some numbers for, so I'll get him out of the way.

I'm expecting big things from this guy. With his rookie season and that second season or common term "sophomore slump" season out of the way, it may the time for him to take it to the next level.

I don't usually care about W-L records as they are mostly team dependent (you need runs) but Hanson could of had a record of 14-4 instead of 11-4 in his rookie season. He left the game with a lead where the bullpen blew it three times.

His 2010 season was solid, you couldn't ask for much better numbers out of a guy who was only 23 years old and in his 2nd season. He got no run support, which explains his 10-11 record despite having an ERA of 3.33 in 202.2 innings. I'll take that as a slump, his rookie season numbers were better across the board, but in less innings pitched.

I looked at some of the fangraphs projections. Bill James doesn't really like him, but overall the numbers are okay. I have no doubt that he will produce an era better than 3.41 as he "projected." In fact I think he will have an ERA under 3.00 for this season. Why do I say this?

-In his rookie season he posted an ERA of 2.89.

-He had a few bad months in 2010, without those he was awesome. These bad months or string of bad starts were not anywhere near the norm. I know that these bad months count, but as a pitcher matures, he should find ways to get out of these flukes more frequently.

-April 2.17 ERA
-May 5.09 ERA
-June 6.31 ERA
-July 2.43 ERA
-August 3.05 ERA
-September/October 1.81 ERA

Take away those two bad months and it looks pretty good right? Ironically, during the bad stretch he was 8-3.

That's a 2.40 era from July through September, including one start in October, with a 2.17 ERA from April.

So, you can see why I think he can easily have an ERA under 3.00 for this season.

Now, I don't want to be too crazy here. With a bunch of sources predicting his ERA to be over 3.00, I'll go along that line as well. Perhaps they see something I don't? But I do think he will take things up a notch, or rather, take over as the top starter of the staff.

15-7, 218 IP, 3.09 ERA, 192 K, 1.14 WHIP

Fredi Gonzalez Rides Bikes?

I thought this was an interesting read. A little interview of Fredi by Atlanta's beat writer David O'Brien. Even though he is not a new face to the organization, he's the new Braves new manager and it's nice to learn more about him.

Here's the article.

Here's a different version, same interview but other information and pictures.

Predicting Tim Hudson

Since there is really nothing major going on for the time being, I decided to finally do my personal predictions.

I will start with Tim Hudson's 2011 season stats. I created an article regarding him and predictions prior to this a little less than a month ago.

I still like to be able to see how they do in spring training before I go posting stats, but spring training really doesn't mean a whole lot unless the player is fighting for a job. The ones who are proven and guaranteed a spot on the team usually just try to get ready for the season and not go all out. More specifically pitchers, where they might just throw one or two of their pitches in a game to work out any kinks, to get back into rhythm.

I don't think I'm going to get real optimistic here for the most part. I'd like to post average to below average kinds of numbers, or maybe along the lines of Marcel projections which are very conservative. When I say very conservative I'm saying predicting Albert Pujols to hit a league high 34 home runs, and that five people in all will hit 30 home runs or more. It's not likely that those results will happen, the league leader in home runs will have more than 34, and there will also be many more players with 30 or more home runs. So in that case, I will like the end results better if they exceed the expectations, especially Atlanta Braves players.

I will also link to fangraphs so you can see projections from other different sources as well.

Tim Hudson 2011

14-10, 207 IP, 3.35 ERA, 130 K, 1.20 WHIP

I'm going to keep it simple as well. I'm not going into k/9 or FIP and all that stuff like the great Bill James. I included a few more basic stats not listed in the other sources as well. Those are strike outs (K) and WHIP.

As you can see, I went with a more conservative approach. He could very well win 20 games, pitch 230 innings and have an ERA under 3.00, but then that would be pretty optimistic if I posted those numbers.

More On Chipper

"Tell 'em I'm gonna be in the lineup opening day." Were the words from the Braves legend.

So, baring any setbacks, look for him to be in the opening day lineup. If he can give us 120-130 games that would be a huge boost to our lineup. He might not hit .300 AVG 30 HR, 100 RBI anymore, but he can still get on base and he is not an easy out.

Looks like he will remain in the 3rd spot of the lineup.

-New manager Fred Gonzalez said he has tinkered with several possible lineups. He said every combination includes Jones playing third base and hitting third.

I don't necessarily agree with that spot in the batting order at this point in his career. But that's what he is used to an it may be best to keep him there.

Also an interesting bit according to TalkingChop.

- He's going back to "old school" Chipper look, and will be rocking the knee-high socks with his pants rolled to his knees.

You don't see style that much if at all in the Majors these days. I wonder if this old school Chipper look includes getting rid of the chin hair.