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I thought I would post about 10 guys that have impressed me so far this season. I would also like to here some of the guys that have impressed you. (Minors or Majors are fine and I tried not to include veteran guys)
1. Yunel Escobar - At first I heard that his defense was a question mark but he has cured me of any doubts about that. The other thing that impresses me about him is his power, I know he only has 3 HRs but I really didn't expect him to even have that many at the end of the first month.
2. Jair Jurrjens - We have all been really impressed by him and his ability to go more then 5 innings consistently (so far) at such a young age. Some reports I read said don't expect Jair to be a good SO guy but he has had a great ratio at 25.1 IP to 21 SO.
3. Blaine Boyer - I have to apologize to Blaine as I had serious doubts about him and didn't want him to make the team. Blaine has done great, take out two out of his 10 games he pitched in he would have given up no runs and only two hits. His control has been much better then last year at Richmond and his stuff is good enough to be a great relief pitcher.
4. Jorge Campillo - I go on a lot of boards and many on one Braves board were critical of bringing up Campillo instead of some other youngers guys. What did he do to answer those people just go 7 innings, allow 1 hit and strikeout 5. Now these stats might not be likely to continue but in a tough spot Campillo has come up done his job and has done it well.
5. Thomas Hanson (P, Myrtle Beach) - All you can say about this kids start is Wow. He has pitched 22 IP and has 32 SO to go with those, he hasn't given up a earned run and only has allowed 6 walks and 5 hits. If he keeps this up he and Rohrbough will be competing for who is the best pitching prospect for the Braves.
6. Jason Heyward (OF, Rome) - Last years 1st round pick has made the pick look pretty good so far. At this point he is hitting .323, though his power is down and strikeouts are a little high that is nothing you wouldn't expect from a 18 year old. What has really impressed me is his base stealing, though I read he could steal some bases I didn't expect him to have 7 in 17 games for a kid his size. Heyward is looking like the real deal right now and as he gets stronger and smarter he may make the Braves Front Office looks great.
7. Jo-Jo Reyes (P, Richmond) - I really like Jo-Jo and think he could be a very good pitcher he if gets his control in order and so far he has done that. Pitching in 3 games he has 14 IP under his belt and has struck out 18. His walk total is 5 and he hasn't given up a run so far. I think the Braves would prefer if Jo-Jo got some more time with Guy Hansen but if needed Jo-Jo could be making an impact on this team when needed.
8. Gorkys Hernandez (OF, Myrtle Beach) - The other guy in the Edgar Renteria trade that netted a fellow guy on this list. Gorkys has been impressive so far at Myrtle with a .292 BA and has showed his speed with 5 steals. His speed has also been on display with 4 Triples and decent power with 2 HRs. Though many think Jair was the best piece in this trade I won't be shocked if Gorkys is actually the best player in this deal.
9. Steve Evarts (P, Rome) - Evarts is another good lefty starting pitcher that should be one of the higher regarded SP in the Braves Minors. He has pitched in 3 G and gone 18 IP but the main thing that has impressed is his 14 SO to his 1 BB. Evarts right now has shown good control and good talent that should help him advance through the minors, how he meets those new levels will be critical to how he will be seen in the future.
10. Phil Stockman (P, Richmond) - Another Aussie reliever that is a fireballer that could help should the bullpen suffer any mroe loses. Coming back from a major injury doesn't seem to have stopped his talent and at 6'8 he is a monster of a man. So far he has 11.2 IP, 4 H, 4 BB and 14 SO. I would be shocked if this big Aussie does not see the majors some time this year. (Then we can have the Dynamic Duo from Down Under)
Well those are mine I would love to see who has impressed you guys.
1. Yunel Escobar - At first I heard that his defense was a question mark but he has cured me of any doubts about that. The other thing that impresses me about him is his power, I know he only has 3 HRs but I really didn't expect him to even have that many at the end of the first month.
2. Jair Jurrjens - We have all been really impressed by him and his ability to go more then 5 innings consistently (so far) at such a young age. Some reports I read said don't expect Jair to be a good SO guy but he has had a great ratio at 25.1 IP to 21 SO.
3. Blaine Boyer - I have to apologize to Blaine as I had serious doubts about him and didn't want him to make the team. Blaine has done great, take out two out of his 10 games he pitched in he would have given up no runs and only two hits. His control has been much better then last year at Richmond and his stuff is good enough to be a great relief pitcher.
4. Jorge Campillo - I go on a lot of boards and many on one Braves board were critical of bringing up Campillo instead of some other youngers guys. What did he do to answer those people just go 7 innings, allow 1 hit and strikeout 5. Now these stats might not be likely to continue but in a tough spot Campillo has come up done his job and has done it well.
5. Thomas Hanson (P, Myrtle Beach) - All you can say about this kids start is Wow. He has pitched 22 IP and has 32 SO to go with those, he hasn't given up a earned run and only has allowed 6 walks and 5 hits. If he keeps this up he and Rohrbough will be competing for who is the best pitching prospect for the Braves.
6. Jason Heyward (OF, Rome) - Last years 1st round pick has made the pick look pretty good so far. At this point he is hitting .323, though his power is down and strikeouts are a little high that is nothing you wouldn't expect from a 18 year old. What has really impressed me is his base stealing, though I read he could steal some bases I didn't expect him to have 7 in 17 games for a kid his size. Heyward is looking like the real deal right now and as he gets stronger and smarter he may make the Braves Front Office looks great.
7. Jo-Jo Reyes (P, Richmond) - I really like Jo-Jo and think he could be a very good pitcher he if gets his control in order and so far he has done that. Pitching in 3 games he has 14 IP under his belt and has struck out 18. His walk total is 5 and he hasn't given up a run so far. I think the Braves would prefer if Jo-Jo got some more time with Guy Hansen but if needed Jo-Jo could be making an impact on this team when needed.
8. Gorkys Hernandez (OF, Myrtle Beach) - The other guy in the Edgar Renteria trade that netted a fellow guy on this list. Gorkys has been impressive so far at Myrtle with a .292 BA and has showed his speed with 5 steals. His speed has also been on display with 4 Triples and decent power with 2 HRs. Though many think Jair was the best piece in this trade I won't be shocked if Gorkys is actually the best player in this deal.
9. Steve Evarts (P, Rome) - Evarts is another good lefty starting pitcher that should be one of the higher regarded SP in the Braves Minors. He has pitched in 3 G and gone 18 IP but the main thing that has impressed is his 14 SO to his 1 BB. Evarts right now has shown good control and good talent that should help him advance through the minors, how he meets those new levels will be critical to how he will be seen in the future.
10. Phil Stockman (P, Richmond) - Another Aussie reliever that is a fireballer that could help should the bullpen suffer any mroe loses. Coming back from a major injury doesn't seem to have stopped his talent and at 6'8 he is a monster of a man. So far he has 11.2 IP, 4 H, 4 BB and 14 SO. I would be shocked if this big Aussie does not see the majors some time this year. (Then we can have the Dynamic Duo from Down Under)
Well those are mine I would love to see who has impressed you guys.
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