Braves

[msstate7]

When approaching an mlb draft, do you draft for need? I would think its best to draft best available player every pick regardless of position.

[KB21]

When approaching an mlb draft, do you draft for need? I would think its best to draft best available player every pick regardless of position.

I'd go with the Paul Snyder/Bill Wight philosophy on drafting. Focus on pitching. Everyone wants pitching, and if you have a surplus of pitching, you can get position players. If a pitcher and a position player are valued equally, go with the pitcher.

Also, I want to add that I think it is crazy that people still call Fredi an idiot when this team is 22-21 right now. EVERYONE had this team as a cellar dweller, and to this point, this team is is only 2 games off where last year's team was. In 2014, the team was 24-19 after 43 games.

[msstate7]

I'd go with the Paul Snyder/Bill Wight philosophy on drafting. Focus on pitching. Everyone wants pitching, and if you have a surplus of pitching, you can get position players. If a pitcher and a position player are valued equally, go with the pitcher.

Also, I want to add that I think it is crazy that people still call Freddie an idiot when this team is 22-21 right now. EVERYONE had this team as a cellar dweller, and to this point, this team is is only 2 games off where last year's team was. In 2014, the team was 24-19 after 43 games.

If you watch any team as much as I was the Braves (every game), I'm sure that team's manager will get called an idiot more than a few times. I can't argue with you though, fredi has done a good job this year. I think he sticks with guys like callaspo too much at times, but injuries have made it tough to sit callaspo lately.

[KB21]

If you watch any team as much as I was the Braves (every game), I'm sure that team's manager will get called an idiot more than a few times. I can't argue with you though, fredi has done a good job this year. I think he sticks with guys like callaspo too much at times, but injuries have made it tough to sit callaspo lately.

Bobby was known for sticking with a guy for too long because he would err on the side that the guy would figure it out. Callaspo was scorching earlier in the year, and I think Fredi believes he can get that back. I agree with you that someone else needs to play at this point. Chris Johnson will be back from injury before long, and sometime down the road, maybe the look to move Jace Peterson to third and get Jose Peraza some time at second.

[shoeless joe]

If you play a guy that's struggling and he never figures it out then you stuck with him to long...if you stick with a guy that's struggling and he finally comes around then you're being patient.

I have defended fredi at times over the last couple years and I've thought, at times, a change wouldn't be a bad thing. However, there's no doubt that he deserves a ton of credit for this year and for 2013 and 2012. He also bares responsibility for last year and the 2011 collapse.

As far as comparing him to cox I think there are several things to look at. In a lot of ways fredi is a lot like bobby with his patient approach and his "by the book" approach to pitching moves, especially in playoff situations. But bobby showed more fire in my opinion. I also think the players had a greater level of respect for bobby, not surprising since he's a HOF manager. I am always a little more lenient in my thoughts on baseball coaches getting the boot, simply because the game is so fickle, and the only thing that makes a move the rite one is if it works..."right" moves that don't work have cost many a coaching job. But there is definitely something missing from Fredi's managerial style...I can't quite put my finger on what I think it is but it's definitely something.

[msstate7]

Well after the first quarter of the season, we're 1 game over .500 (3.5 out of first and 2 games out of WC). This is a huge road trip (Dodgers x3, Giants x4, and dbacks x3). If we somehow come home at .500 or better (doubtful), this team has a chance to stick around a while. It'll be interesting if we go stick around till the trading deadline, if we add a player or 2.

[msstate7]

David O'Brien @DOBrienAJC
For those who've asked about Joey T, he's about to start his rehab assignment for Single-A Rome. twitter.com/JoeTerdoslavic?

Joseph Terdoslavich @JoeTerdoslavich
Game in Charleston tonight. First one of the year.

[msstate7]

2:32 PM
@mlbbowman
Since becoming the everyday CF on May 2, Cameron Maybin has slashed .308/.400/.431. 4/5 SB #Braves

[BoomBoom]

If you play a guy that's struggling and he never figures it out then you stuck with him to long...if you stick with a guy that's struggling and he finally comes around then you're being patient.

I have defended fredi at times over the last couple years and I've thought, at times, a change wouldn't be a bad thing. However, there's no doubt that he deserves a ton of credit for this year and for 2013 and 2012. He also bares responsibility for last year and the 2011 collapse.

As far as comparing him to cox I think there are several things to look at. In a lot of ways fredi is a lot like bobby with his patient approach and his "by the book" approach to pitching moves, especially in playoff situations. But bobby showed more fire in my opinion. I also think the players had a greater level of respect for bobby, not surprising since he's a HOF manager. I am always a little more lenient in my thoughts on baseball coaches getting the boot, simply because the game is so fickle, and the only thing that makes a move the rite one is if it works..."right" moves that don't work have cost many a coaching job. But there is definitely something missing from Fredi's managerial style...I can't quite put my finger on what I think it is but it's definitely something.

there's two entirely different aspects of being a MLB manager. the first is roughly being a babysitter. day to day activities, etc. getting everyone on the bench enough playing time to stay sharp. playing thru slumps. professionalism. putting your PLAYERS in position to succeed. Bobby and Fredi excel at that aspect. the other is in utilizing matchups to put your TEAM in the best position to succeed. Bobby and Fredi are horrible at that aspect, especially the bullpen. i'll point out again: in Bobby's next to last game (and the one that sealed the Braves playoff fate that year), he pulled a young fireballer rookier RP that had given up a seeing-eye single, for a generic nothing-special LH RP to pitch against a LH batter.....who hits LHPs better than RHPs. That fireballer was Craig Kimbrel. he pulled Craig Kimbrel for a LHP, and for no damn good reason. they lost the game and the series on that at-bat. and i don't think Kimbrel ever got another appearance of significance in the playoffs, as he was always held in reserve when the game was on the line. can't use your closer with the bases loaded in the 8th!

[KB21]

Williams Perez has settled in. He had a rough start, but he is sitting at 80 pitches through 4 innings. He just struck out the side. He's a bulldog on the mound. His stuff isn't great, but when he can locate and mix in his change, he looks pretty good.

[BoomBoom]

Williams Perez has settled in. He had a rough start, but he is sitting at 80 pitches through 4 innings. He just struck out the side. He's a bulldog on the mound. His stuff isn't great, but when he can locate and mix in his change, he looks pretty good.

ump's been trying to squeeze him too.

[msstate7]

Williams Perez has settled in. He had a rough start, but he is sitting at 80 pitches through 4 innings. He just struck out the side. He's a bulldog on the mound. His stuff isn't great, but when he can locate and mix in his change, he looks pretty good.

I really like this guy. I think he's in Atlanta to stay. Maybe not as a starter, but here nonetheless

[msstate7]

Since Perez got lit up by Washington in his debut...

12.0 ip 15 k 2 er 1.50 era

10.0 ip vs 1st place teams (rays and Dodgers)

That's pretty dang impressive.

[msstate7]

Since Perez got lit up by Washington in his debut...

12.0 ip 15 k 2 er 1.50 era

10.0 ip vs 1st place teams (rays and Dodgers)

That's pretty dang impressive.

Make it 13.0 ip 16 k 2 er 1.38 era

Very nice, kid

[Really Clark?]

Rumors about Callaspo being DFA very soon.

[msstate7]

Rumors about Callaspo being DFA very soon.

I suppose when CJ comes back. CJ's Gwinnett game was rained out in 2nd inning.

[BoomBoom]

there's two entirely different aspects of being a MLB manager. the first is roughly being a babysitter. day to day activities, etc. getting everyone on the bench enough playing time to stay sharp. playing thru slumps. professionalism. putting your PLAYERS in position to succeed. Bobby and Fredi excel at that aspect. the other is in utilizing matchups to put your TEAM in the best position to succeed. Bobby and Fredi are horrible at that aspect, especially the bullpen. i'll point out again: in Bobby's next to last game (and the one that sealed the Braves playoff fate that year), he pulled a young fireballer rookier RP that had given up a seeing-eye single, for a generic nothing-special LH RP to pitch against a LH batter.....who hits LHPs better than RHPs. That fireballer was Craig Kimbrel. he pulled Craig Kimbrel for a LHP, and for no damn good reason. they lost the game and the series on that at-bat. and i don't think Kimbrel ever got another appearance of significance in the playoffs, as he was always held in reserve when the game was on the line. can't use your closer with the bases loaded in the 8th!

Fredi trying hard to prove me right at the moment LOL. Let your LOOGY pitch an entire inning. then when 1st 2 get on and 2 RHs are up, don't pull him. idiotic bullpen management.

[msstate7]

My boy, ciriaco 2-3 (rbi) and a huge pick at 3b

[msstate7]

We just can't beat the Dodgers. 1-6 last year and just blew one tonight bc of avilan's walks

[BoomBoom]

We just can't beat the Dodgers. 1-6 last year and just blew one tonight bc of avilan's walks

you should never blame your LOOGY for walking 2 RH hitters. he was put in position to fail.