Rain Delay

Braves trim the roster again.

Well with Opening day just around the corner, it was time for another roster cut.

Here are todays cuts:

AAA - Richmond
Cesar Crespo
David Kelton
Anthony Lerew
Chad Paronto
Wes Obermueller
Michael Ryan
Travis Smith

AA - Mississippi
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Sean White

A - Myrtle Beach
Steve Pyzik

We all knew that Salty would get sent down sooner or later, though I didn’t think he’d be around as long as he did. While he was here, he made a lasting impression on Cox and company.

"Pretty dang good impression," Braves manager Bobby Cox said of the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Floridian. "He threw well, his catching's good, and he's got some swing — from both sides.

"He's one of those guys who, every time he walks to the plate, you feel good."

I still think we'll see a at the least, a September call up if all goes well in AA. Even if he doesn't see the big club this year, he'll end the season in Richmond.

Let the conversions begin!

Well with it being pretty evident this spring, that the Braves lack of a right handed bat at first is starting to be a bit troublesome. This hasn't escaped the Braves brain trust either.

[..]Cox and general manager John Schuerholz also have let the Braves player development people know they would like to see a few more right-handed first baseman in the minor league pipeline, as well.

And that could have an impact on a couple of former Myrtle Beach Pelicans - outfielders Matt Esquivel and Josh Burrus.

The Braves are curious to see if either could make the switch to the infield and potentially fill the void at first base.

Both are right-handed hitters with power. And both are excellent athletes.

The Braves first approached Esquivel at the end of last season about adding the new position to his resume and had him go the Florida Instructional League to work on it.

"It was a little rough at first, but he started getting the hang of it," said J.J. Picollo, the director of minor league operations.

"He's played only outfield so far this spring, but he'll work on it with [manager] Jeff Blauser when he gets to [Double-A] Mississippi."

Esquivel, who hit .265 last season with 17 home runs and 81 runs batted in, said he's willing to try anything that will improve his chances of making it to the big leagues.

I guess guys have been lining up all spring to take reps at firstbase. The best place to start converting guys is in the minors, instead of OJT in the Bigs. This also shows that they're straying away, for now, converting Salty to that corner of the infield.

R-Braves getting ready for preseason schedule.

From the Richmond Braves Newsletter:

R-BRAVES OPEN EXHIBITION SLATE SATURDAY

Richmond, VA - The Richmond Braves begin preparation in earnest for the 2006 International League season Saturday when they open their 12 game preseason schedule against the Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League (Houston’s Triple-A) in Kissimmee, FL.

The R-Braves preseason schedule runs through March 31. The 2006 squad reports to Richmond April 4. The Braves face only two IL opponents in the preseason: Buffalo and defending Governors’ Cup champion Toledo.

The Richmond roster began to take shape with the first cuts from Atlanta’s major league camp yesterday. Two players were optioned to Richmond: right-handed pitcher Brad Baker and infielder Scott Thorman. Three non-roster invitees were re-assigned to minor league camp, including right-handed pitcher Kevin Barry, catcher Clint Sammons and infielder Jonathan Schuerholz. Atlanta now has 45 players in big league camp.

RICHMOND BRAVES 2006 PRESEASON SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT HOME/AWAY*

3/18 Round Rock Home

3/19 New Orleans Away

3/20 Buffalo Home

3/21 Round Rock Away

3/22 Toledo Away

3/24 Buffalo Home

3/25 New Orleans Away

3/26 Toledo Home

3/27 New Orleans Away

3/28 New Orleans Home

3/30 Round Rock Away

3/31 Buffalo Away

* all home preseason games are played in Kissimmee, FL

Season tickets, ticket packages and single game tickets are on sale now. The Braves open the 2006 season Thursday, April 6 vs. the Buffalo Bisons at 2 PM. For more information on the Braves please call 804-359-4444 or visit the Braves on the web at www.rbraves.com .

Moss, a Brave..Again.

The Braves have signed left handed pitcher Damian Moss to a minor league deal. Yes, the same Damiam Moss that went 12-6 as the fifth starter in 2002.

The 29-year-old Moss was in uniform Sunday on the back minor league fields at Disney. He will now compete for a spot in Richmond's rotation, with the possibility of being an option for Atlanta if needed later in the year.

"I'm glad to come home," Moss said.

Moss just finished pitching for Australia in the WBC. He started against the Dominican Republic last week and suffered a loss (4 runs on 4 hits in 2.2 innings, 4 walks, and 1 strikeout). The scout that signed Moss as a sixteen-year-old for Atlanta back in 1993, Phil Dale, was his pitching coach on the Australian team and recommended him to the Braves.

I guess you can never have enough lefties. He should fit in just fine for the R-Braves, and it's always good to know we have another lefty that we can call up if needed.

Salty is clutch, and clutch is everything..

Salty power's the Braves to a come back win over the Dodgers, with a 3 run dinger. I know it's only Spring Training, but with that said Saltalmacchia is da man. (Box Score)

The homer from Saltalmacchia, a catcher slated for Double-A Mississippi this season, didn't surprise Braves manager Bobby Cox, who said "everybody, even the clubhouse guys inside" predicted the shot.

"When Salty walks up there, you feel like he's going to turn the game around," Cox said. "That's why he's classified as one of the good young hitters in the entire minor league system."Baseball America rates Saltalmacchia as the organization's top prospect.

[...]

"Honestly, I just want to come here and impress Bobby," Saltalmacchia said."I think if I play my game I'm going to be up there somewhere. Hopefully it'll be with the Braves."Saltalmacchia hit .314 with 19 homers and 81 RBI at Class-A Myrtle Beach last year.

He also played first base in high school in West Palm Beach, Fla., but he said he has been told by the Braves to spend all of his time at catcher.

The emphasis is mine. This squashes the rumors that have been flying around since last season about moving Salty from behind the dish to First Base to give him some longevity, and take advantage of that monster bat of his. I think that having a Switch-Hitting catcher is a great thing.

My Uncle, who was a Trainer in the Majors for many season's (with the Seattle Pilots, Brewers and Angels.)told me long ago that if I really wanted to play Pro Ball was to learn how to switch hit. Because at the time I was growing up, there weren't many if any switch hitting catchers getting playing time at the Major League level.

Braves stamp void on Jeff Bennett

What's up with the Braves and Tommy John surgery? We know that Hampton will be out the entire season recovering, they recently signed Carlos Almanzar who is in the same boat. Enter : Jeff Bennet, a former Brewer that the Braves signed in the off-season to a Minor League contract and an invite to spring training. There were questions about his elbow, but he assured the Braves that it was fine. Well now it seems it wasn't 'fine'. In fact he needs TJ surgery, and with that revelation that Braves voided Bennett's contract.

But when reached Thursday night by BravesCenter.com, Bennett said that on the seventh day of throwing he felt something strange in his elbow, causing his velocity to dramatically decrease. While he was not in any huge pain, Bennett's arm was uncomfortable. A few days later a MRI then showed a 75% tear in the elbow ligament, meaning Tommy John Surgery was a probability.

This is what spurred the Braves to sign Carlos Almanzar, another sub-par pitchers like Bennett who is recovering from TJ surgery himself and will likely not be ready for the start of the season. So, void one crappy pitchers contract and sign another. I'm not sure I completely understand the thinking in this to sign crap to replace crap. But I guess that's why I'm in radio and not in the Braves front office.

Top 10 Prospects: Atlanta

Over at Minor League Ball John has his Top 20 Prospects in the Braves system. Here's the Top 10.

Atlanta Braves Top 20 Prospects

1. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, Grade A-
   
2. Chuck James, LHP, B+
   
3. Elvis Andrus, SS, B
   
4. Joey Devine, RHP, B      
   
5. Yunel Escobar, SS, B      
   
6. Max Ramirez, C, B
   
7. Eric Campbell, 3B, B
   
8. Brandon Jones, OF, B
   
9. Beau Jones, LHP, B
   
10. Anthony Lerew, RHP, B-

I can agree with that Top 10 for sure, with my main man Salty sitting at the top. There's been speculation here and there, that by the time Salty hits the major's he may no longer be a backstop. To me that would be a shame, he should be given the chance to call games at the Major League Level. Number 3 on that list is another one to look out for.

I wonder if he likes peanut butter and banana sammiches?

Snitker replaces Kelly in Richmond

According to the Richmond Braves newsletter and website, Brian Snitker will replace Pat Kelly as the skipper of the Richmond Braves. The R-Brave will hold a press conference on Tuesday (Feb. 7th) to make this official. Snitker was at the helm of the Braves AA team for the past 4 years. Pat Kelly will join the Atlanta Braves front office as a scout, after 3 seasons as the R-Braves Manager.

Snitker joined the Braves organization as a player in 1977 and has been with the Braves in a variety of roles ever since. The former catcher spent four seasons in the Braves system as a player, reaching Richmond briefly in 1978. Snitker retired as a player following the 1980 season and began his coaching career as a roving instructor with the Braves in 1981. He took his first managing job in 1982 with Anderson of the South Atlantic League. Snitker moved to the majors as Atlanta's bullpen coach in 1985 and again from 1988-1990. He returned to minor league coaching in 1991 and moved back into managing with Macon in 1992. Snitker coached in the Atlanta system from 1993 to 1995 before moving back into managing in 1996.

The R-Braves will also have a new pitching coach in Derek Bothelo.

The R-Braves will also have a new pitching coach. Derek Botelho moves up from Danville to replace Mike Alvarez, who will be a roving instructor next season. Botelho is in his fourth season as a coach in the Atlanta organization. He pitched in the majors with the Royals and Cubs. Rick Albert returns as coach and Jay Williams will again be the trainer.

The Richmond Braves open the 2006 season against the Buffalo Bison's Thursday April 6th.

Minor League Deal for Remlinger

Yes you read the title right, the Braves signed Mike Remlinger to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. It's obvious from last season, that his best days are far behind him.

"We hope that this is a win-win situation for both sides," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said. "We hope that Mike's career can get back on track and he can regain the level of pitching he enjoyed for so many years before shoulder problems got the better of him."

There's the very good possibility that he wont make the club out of spring training. So really the Braves have nothing to loose. He was at his best from 99-2002. In 2002 he made the All-Star team, but really was lost in the shuffle when you had Smoltz nailing down 55 saves that year.

"I feel at lot better than I did at the end of last year," said Remlinger, who posted a 6.58 ERA while with the Cubs and Red Sox last year.

Nobody is expecting Remlinger to be as effective as he was when he posted a 1.99 ERA in 71 appearances for the Braves in 2002. But the veteran hurler believes being reunited with manager Bobby Cox and bullpen coach Bobby Dews will put him in an environment where he has the best chance to succeed.

[...]

"When you have respect for a man like I do for Bobby Cox, you're going to do whatever you can to please them. I look at Bobby as being like a father. I just have so much respect for him and what he has done for me."

I'm afraid that without Leo, it's just not going to happen. The Braves weren't even really interested in Remmy until he took a physical and there were good signs that his shoulder would be stronger this year than last. On the off chance he does make the bullpen, he could be a veteran figure in a very young bullpen. A bullpen that still doesn't have a closer and more than one spot up for grabs.

Even though like I said, it's not likely he's going to make the club, I'm glad to see Schuerholz at least giving Mike a chance to make the club. This signing wont hurt the club one way or another in my opinion. He's eager to get things going, and plans to start throwing off a mound this week and then hopefully meet up with the Braves new Pitching Coach - Roger McDowell in Atlanta.

In case your interested, here's Mike Remlingers stats - Thanks to the Baseball Cube.