The Future

As I have grown older I have come to appreciate more and more the Atlanta Braves farm system.  The Braves have consistently, for the past two decades had one of the top systems in the majors.  This has provided us many trades opportunities that have helped the Braves throughout the years.  I thought since the Braves are in a slump, and I still believe that it is too early to worry; it would be a great time to look at the future of our Bravos.  The Braves have a couple of the best prospects in the majors right now, and I am really excited to see how they produce for the Braves in the next few years.  I plan on giving a few updates on prospects every now and then so we will just start out with a couple:

Tommy Hanson - this is one of the few prospects that everybody in baseball knows.  The 6'6", 220 pounder entered the 2009 season as the 4th ranked prospect in all of baseball. Last year he pitched in Myrtle Beach and Mississippi.  He became the first pitcher in Arizona Fall League history to win the MVP by posting a 5-0, 0.63 ERA

 in seven starts.  Right now he is pitching in Gwinnett just waiting for his shot at the big show.  He has a 1.69ERA in 5 games and batters are batting under .200 against him.  However, he has gotten no run support so his record is 1-3.  The big stat that stands out at me is the fact that he has 38 K's and only 9BB in 26.2 innings.    Cox said he reminds him of Smoltz.  With a 99mph fastball and a nasty slider I can defineitly see why.  He also has a change and a curve that he can locate just as well as his fastball.  I am looking forward to many years of Hanson as the Braves ace, I just hope we get to see what he can do in the big show this year.  

Jason Heyward - is a 6'4", 220lb, 19 year old outfielder that was selected by the Braves in the first round (14th overall) pick in the 2007 first year player draft.  He was born in NJ and bats and throws left handed.  Heyward entered the 2009 season as the 5th best prospect in all of baseball ( thats right the Braves had #4 and #5 prospect in all of baseball ).  He was ranked by Baseball America as the Braves second best prospect.  I read a recent article  and I will copy and paste it because it explains Heyward better than I ever could. 

( "One major le

ague scout from a top-tier organization is so high on Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward that he said he would be willing to give the Braves anyone on his team’s 25-man roster to 

get him. "The best young hitter I’ve seen in years," the scout said. "He’ll be leading the league in home runs for 10 years onc

e he gets here." Heyward, 19, was the Braves’ No. 1 draft pick in 2007, the 14th player taken overall. He’s strong, disciplined, and smart –

 his parents, Eugene and Laura, are both Dartmouth graduates. "Let me put it this way," another major league executive said of the 6-4, 220-pound left-handed hitter. "He’s a cross betw

een Dave Parker, Darryl Strawberry and Fred McGriff. How’s that put it? He’s got a chance to be a real superstar." )

I CANNOT wait to see what he can do he plays in right but he can play any position in the outfield.  In a couple of years put him in left field, and we have a good solid outfielder which is something we haven't had since Chipper played left in 02 and 03.  Right now Heyward is batting .275 with 3HR and 10RBI in Myrtle Beach.  The kid is only 19 years old, I hope they keep him in the minors for at least another few years.  I am pretty sure they will.  

Well the Braves game is about to start and I don't want to miss that, so with that I will leave you with a little random braves stat which I will try to do from time to time:

Did You Know: That in the miracle season of '91 the highest paid player was none other than the future hall of famer Lonnie Smith with a salary of $2,041,667.00

Oh and one more thing why in the world is Kawakami pitching tonight?  He has been struggling with a sore shoulder and Jurrjens pitched 2 innings on Saturday, I think he is OK to go.  Just wondering.  And Garret Anderson is in the lineup tonight so we will see if he should have declined that rehab stint.