Atlanta Braves Top 10 Prospects For 2012

The Atlanta Braves have long been known for their legendary farm system.  It has allowed for them to not overspend on high priced free agents during the off-season, while also allowing for them to make mid-season maneuvers in the heat of pennant races.  The system has produced legendary Braves players such as Tom Glavine, Steve Avery, David Justice, and Javy Lopez.  It has even produced some of the best young players currently in the majors today like Brian McCann, Tommy Hanson, Jason Heyward and Craig Kimbrel.  These are just to name a few.  Without ado here is a look at the Top 10 minor league prospects for the Atlanta Braves this 2012 season (as picked The Bart Cave).

10) Evan Gattis
pos: C (R/R)
age: 25 height: 6'4" weight: 230
stats: .322 BA, 22 HR, 71 RBI


Gattis is my wild card pick.  This is a player who has been through a lot in his life.  Only two years into his professional career and he is looking like a can't miss prospect.  His age will have an effect on how the Braves approach his future with the organization.  If Gattis has another season in 2012 like the last two, then there will be no way the Braves don't seriously look at him in 2013.  The organization may look to move him to another position as to maximize his pro-potential.  (2012 Prediction: Full season at A-Adv Lynchburg)

9) Matt Lipka
pos: SS/CF (R/R)
age: 19 height: 6'1" weight: 195
stats: .247 BA, 1 HR, 37 RBI, 28 SB


Lipka was the Braves 1st Round selection in 2010.  He has shown a strong arm and great speed in just 1.5 seasons in the organization.  The plan is to move him full time to center field in 2012, and groom him for the future of that position in Atlanta.  (2012 Prediction: Full season in A-Adv Lynchburg)

8) Andrelton Simmons
pos: SS (R/R)
age: 22 height: 6'2" weight: 170
stats: .311 BA, 1 HR, 52 RBI, 26 SB


A 2nd Round pick in 2010, Simmons was selected for his potential at being a pitcher.  He was rated the best throwing arm in the entire draft.  However, he has played shortstop primarily and wishes to continue doing that.  So far so good on that investment.  His defense is rated the best in the Braves organization.  His bat has also been very productive.  He was in the top 5 in the Braves minor league system in average, hits, and stolen bases.  If he can add some size, then there is no telling how far he can go.  (2012 Prediction: Split season between A-Adv Lynchburg and AA-Mississippi)

7) Christian Bethancourt
pos: C (R/R)
age: 20 height: 6'2" weight: 190
stats: .289, 5 HR, 53 RBI


The consenus around baseball is that Bethancourt will be a big-time big-league catcher after his display in the 2011 Arizona Fall League.  Will it be in a Braves uniform?  Brian McCann is entrenched as the starting catcher and is putting up Hall of Fame numbers.  However, McCann is going to start getting old in Catcher terms.  He will likely start splitting more playing time.  McCann/Bethancourt could be a really good 1-2 punch. (2012 Prediction: Full season AA-Mississippi)

6) Joe Terdoslavich
pos: 1B/3B (S/R)
age: 23 height: 6'1" weight: 200
stats: .286, 20 HR, 82 RBI


Joey-T (as I am calling him) was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 6th Round of the 2010 draft.  He played his collegiate ball at "the U"in Miami and Long Beach State.  The first thing that grabs your attention is his propensity for hitting.  He broke the Carolina League record for doubles in a season last year.  In just 1.5 seasons, Joey-T has played at three different levels, and dominated at all of them.  So much so, that the Braves sent him to the Arizona Fall League in 2011 and he continued his torrid hitting and was named to the league's Rising Stars Team along with fellow Braves Christian Bethancourt and J.J. Hoover.  A first baseman by trade, Joey-T will also play third base and a little outfield. (2012 Prediction: Full season AA-Mississippi)

5) Sean Gilmartin
pos: SP (L/L)
age: 22 height: 6'2" weight: 195
stats: 2-2, 3.09 ERA, 21.1 IP 31/3 SO/BB


Gilmartin was the 1st Round Pick (28th overall) for the Atlanta Braves in 2011 out of Florida State.  He signed very quickly and pitched at two levels in the second half of the 2011 season.  The first thing that jumps off the board is his amazing control, which has only been more impressive by his power pitching. He could have a chance at the big club by 2013.  (2012 Prediction: Split season between A-Adv Lynchburg and AA-Mississippi)



  

4) Edward Salcedo
pos: SS/3B (R/R)
age: 20 height: 6'3" weight: 195
stats: .248, 12 HR, 68 RBI, 23 SB


One thing is for certain, Salcedo has the biggest potential of any prospect in the Braves system.  The comparisons to Hanley Ramirez are looking more accurate each year he matures.  Power - he's got it!  Speed - he's got it!  Defense - never been a question.  Can he cut down on the strike outs and hit for a consistent average?  This will be a big season in his growth.  Salcedo could be starting at SS or 3B in Atlanta by 2014.  (2012 Prediction: Split season A-Adv Lynchburg and AA-Mississippi)

3) Tyler Pastornicky
pos: SS (R/R)
age: 22 height: 5'11" weight: 170
stats: .314 BA, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 27 SB


Tyler has already been slated as the Atlanta Braves starting shortstop in 2012 without having even taken one swing in the majors.  It is a big gamble, but Pastornicky has excelled at every level and dominated.  He has nothing left to prove at the minor league level.  The Braves will likely hit him low in the order to get him acclimated to big league pitching.  A 1-2 punch of Michael Bourne and Pastornicky at the top of the order could be DANGEROUS! (2012 Prediction: Full-time Atlanta depending on production)

2) Randall Delgado
pos: SP (R/R)
age: 22 height: 6'3" weight: 200
stats: 7-7, 3.88 ERA, 139 IP, 135 SO


Delgado had 7 total major league starts for the Braves in 2011 and looked extremely comfortable.  Opponents were rarely effective, only putting up a .220 batting average against him.  One thing that will need to be worked on is his control (18 SO/ 14 BB), which was not an issue in the minors.  Delgado will also have a chance in 2012 to earn a spot in the rotation come Spring Training. (2012 Prediction: Start season with AAA Gwinnett, September call-up to Atlanta)

1) Julio Teheran
pos: SP (R/R)
age: 21 height: 6'2" weight: 195
stats: 15-3, 2.55 ERA, 144.2 IP, 122 SO


Teheran was named AAA Pitcher of the Year by MLB.com, International League Rookie of the Year, and Braves Minor League Player of the Year.  He is the #4 overall prospect in baseball according to Baseball America.  He is also rated the #1 right handed pitching prospect in the majors.  He was called up to the major league club for a few spot starts in 2011 and effective, but needs to work on trusting all of his pitches.  (2012 Prediction: Full season as starting pitcher in Atlanta)





WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING IN A BRAVES UNIFORM?

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It's 2012 Baby! Time To Get Back To Work...

After a little rest and relaxation, I am back to bring you some of the best news for Atlanta sports and entertainment.  Since our last blog a few things have happened.  Whether it was football or baseball; professional or college, it was a crazy end to 2011.  Here are some videos to help us remember, because I have a feeling it's going to be a crazy 2012.

The St. Louis Cardinals, who unceremoniously overtook the Atlanta Braves for the National League Wildcard won the World Series.

The Atlanta Falcons finished the NFL season second in the NFC South to the New Orleans Saints and achieved their 4th straight winning season and 3rd playoff appearance in four years under the current regime.  Unfortunately, the Falcons for the 3rd straight playoff appearance have been defeated by the NFC's representative in the Super Bowl (08-Cardinals, 10-Packers, 11-Giants).

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets finished the season 8-5 (5-3 ACC, 3rd ACC Coastal) and earned its 17th straight bowl appearance.  Unfortunately, it was also it's fifth straight loss in a bowl as well, this time to the Utah Utes 30-27 in over-time.

The Georgia State Panthers finished it's second full season of collegiate football with a record of 3-8 and looked to take a few steps back from it's prior inaugural season where it finished 6-5 and opened the eyes of everyone nationally, as they were covered by ESPN weekly.

The Georgia Bulldogs finished 10-4 (7-1 SEC) and lost a back and forth game to Michigan State in the Outback Bowl.  For other UGA news (Try reading the AJC that's all they cover anyway)

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2011 Game Review: Georgia Tech Holds On Against Maryland,,,Now Faces Virginia On The Road!

The game against Maryland was a game of lessons learned.  So, what did the Yellow Jackets learn?

1. Tevin Washington should not carry the load offensively.  He has done tremendously well distributing the ball to the team's playmakers.  That needs to continue.

2.  The defense can be very good when it wants to be.

3.  When everyone on offense is doing their job, Ga Tech can score at will.

Highlights

Tevin Washington unfortunately held onto the ball a bit too much, rushing for 120 yards on 32 carries.  That is WAY TOO MANY carries.  He needs to be confident in the pitch and know that it'll be there.  For the third consecutive game the Yellow Jackets won without having a dominant passing game.  Washington was only able to complete 6/19 passes for 114 yards and had an interception in the end zone, at the end of the first half.  You may look at these stats and say there is no way the Yellow Jackets won this game, but THEY DID.

The running game started out dominant as usual, but tailed off in the second half, mostly due to Washington's keeping the ball.  B-back David Sims did have an effective game rushing for 83 yards on 17 carries.  The phenomenal A-back Orwin Smith was very effective, but only got 4 touches in the game and rished for 41 yards and a touchdown.  The team as a whole accumulated 272 yards on the ground.

The defense showed up big time in this game.  Julian Burnett was yet again a tackling machine and recorded over 10 tackles.  Both cornerbacks for the Yellow Jackets stepped up and made big plays in the game and both recorded and interception as well.  Quayshawn Nealy filled in admirably for the hurt Daniel Drummond and showed that he may be earning a starting spot soon.  Defensive Coordinator Al Groh did change his defense up a bit with the injuries on the team, and it seemed to work very well.  One can only hope these changes only help progress a young and improving defensive unit.

Next Opponent: @ Virginia (Oct. 15, 2011)

The Yellow Jackets enter the game undefeated and ranked #12 in the country.  However, Georgia Tech's history at Charlottesville is not a good one.  The Yellow Jackets have won there once since the 1990 National Championship team.  However, this is a different Georgia Tech team.  If they play up to their abilities and avoid stupid mistakes, then they should win this game fairly easy.

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2011 Game Review: Georgia Tech Keeps On Ramblin Beating NC State 45-35!

The Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech entered last Saturday's game in Raleigh, North Carolina looking to extend it's undefeated record to 5-0.  You knew what kind of day it was going to be once Paul Johnson decided to fake a punt on Georgia Tech's first offensive drive of the game.  The offense did have it's share of problems on the day, but still looked impressive, racking up 413 total yards.  The running backs lead the attack by blowing up the field for 296 rushing yards.  This was even more impressive by the fact the passing game was not effective at all.

Highlights

Quarterback Tevin Washington only completed 33% of his passes, but still amassed 117 yards and 2 touchdowns, and the offense still put up 45 points.  Imagine what the offense would have done with a better passing performance.  Washington also chipped in with the running game with 46 yards on the ground, which helped seal the victory for the Yellow Jackets.

A-back Orwin Smith had another huge day, especially in all-purpose yards.  With 104 total yards (74 rushing and 30 receiving) and 3 touchdowns, Smith showed why he may be the best overall player on this Yellow Jacket squad; as well as one of the best running backs in the country.  B-back David Sims assisted Smith with 73 rushing yards rushing of his own and a touchdown to boot.

Georgia Tech's defense continued with it's" bend but don't break" strategy.  Julian Burnett recorded a big day scoring 12 tackles.  Free Safety Isaiah Johnson added to his team leading interception total (3), which is tied for 2nd in the ACC, by picking off Wolfpack QB Mike Glennon in the 3rd quarter.  Linebackers Jeremiah Attaochu and Daniel Drummond also played extremely well, but suffered leg injuries that could keep them out for the next game against Maryland.

Next Opponent: vs. Maryland (Oct. 8, 2011)

Georgia Tech will be looking to move to 6-0 against Maryland (2-2), who has struggled so far this season.  The Yellow Jackets former offensive co-ordinator (under Chan Gailey) Randy Edsall is now the head coach for the Maryland Terrapins, and will be returning to Bobby Dodd Stadium for only the second time since his departure.  Maryland's quarterback Danny O'Brien is the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year, and a tough competitor.  However, he tends to make throws into traffic and is prone to interceptions.  So, GT's Isaiah Johnson could be looking for yet another pick-off in this ACC matchup.  GT's defense will definitely need a big showing for the team is to stay unbeaten.

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Movies Coming To A Theater Near You: October 2011

As we enter into the month of October and the time of All-Hallows Eve, here are some movies to keep an eye out for.  If you are a fan of drama, action, adventure, science-fiction, and horror; then this month is for you. (Previews based on synopsis provided by Fandango and Moviefone)

Real Steel (October 7)
This is director Shawn Levy's feature-length adaptation of the Twilight Zone episode "Steel."  Retired boxer, Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), who was fighting for the title when the sport of boxing suddenly died out.  Now, instead of humans fighting it out for the masses, humongous steel robots trade blows in the ring, and Charlie has been forced into the role of two-bit fight promoter and pieces together cut-rate fighting bots from scrap metal.  Just when it seems his career is over, Charlie's estranged son, Max (Dakota Goyo), offers him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a winner by constructing and training a champion robot.  Now the stakes are even higher than ever before, and Charlie is fully prepared to coach his robot to victory so that he can finally leave an indelible mark on the sport he once dedicated his life to.

The Thing (October 14)
In this prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic, an Antarctic research team has unearthed an alien craft.  American paleontologist Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) joins a group of Norwegian scientists to explore what secrets the ship might hold.  Though by Kate's estimation the creature inside the spaceship has been dead for centuries, it has actually just been lying dormant in the ice.  Perfectly preserved, it has awaited the day when it would finally be freed from its frigid prison; now, after eons of lying in wait, that day has finally come.  Suddenly revived during a crucial experiment, the malevolent alien begins methodically mimicking each member of the crew undetected.  By the time Kate realizes the frightening implications of the creature's unique ability, it may already be too late.

The Big Year (October 14)
David Frankel, the director of 'The Devil Wears Prada' and 'Marley & Me' teams with Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson in a sophisticated comedy set in the secret, underground world of competitive bird watching. The three comic icons portray the elite of this fervent breed, who face off in a secret competition that will become the biggest year of their lives.  These three fanatical bird watchers compete to spot the highest number of species as El Nino sends an extraordinary variety of breeds flying up into the U.S., but they quickly discover that there are more important things than coming out on top of the competition.

Paranormal Activity 3 (October 21)
The Paranormal Activity franchise continues with this third outing from Paramount Pictures. Oren Peli and Jason Blum return to produce the highly secretive film.  The story continues as we learn about how sisters Katie and Kristi first encounter the demon as children.  Although it appears friendly to them at first, it turns hostile and begins tormenting them and their family.  There is supposedly a scene near the start of the film that shows Katie bringing over a box of video tapes to the home of her sister Kristi.  As she starts to sort through some of tapes, her husband (Daniel) starts filming which leads the audience into the second film.

The Three Musketeers (October 21)
Set in the 17th-century, the story of famed Musketeers Athos (Matthew Macfadyen), Aramis (Luke Evans), and Porthos (Ray Stevenson) is re-imagined.  A young boy named D'Artagnan (Logan Lerman) journeys to Paris to realize his dream of becoming a Musketeer, but finds the group to be a shadow of their former selves needing a purpose.  The dangerous Cardinal Richelieu (Christoph Waltz) and Milady (Milla Jovovich) hatch a deadly plot to overthrow the young King Louis (Freddie Fox) by framing his wife, Queen Anne (Juno Temple), of having an affair with the Duke of Buckingham (Orlando Bloom) in the hopes of starting a war with England.  Thus forcing the people of France to demand a stronger leader namely himself.  Peace may still be possible if the Three Musketeers along with D'Artagnan can save the day.  This version of the action adventure story is given a state of the art update in 3-D.  

The Rum Diary (October 21)
Based on the debut novel by Hunter S. Thompson, 'The Rum Diary' tells the increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Johnny Depp).  Tiring of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of the late Eisenhower-era America, Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local newspaper, The San Juan Star.  Downtrodden editor Lotterman (Richard Jenkins) runs the paper.  Adopting the rum-soaked life of the island, Paul soon becomes obsessed with Chenault (Amber Heard), the wildly attractive Connecticut-born fiancee of Sanderson (Aaron Eckhart), who is a businessman involved in shady property development deals.  He is also one of a growing number of American entrepreneurs who are determined to convert Puerto Rico into a capitalist paradise in service of the wealthy.  When Kemp is recruited by Sanderson to write favorably about his latest unsavory scheme, the journalist is presented with a choice: to use his words for the corrupt businessmen's financial benefit, or use them to take the bastards down.

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