Thorman Faces Critical Spring

 

Old friend Scott Thorman, R-Braves’ alum of 2005-06 and owner of one of the most violent swings in the game (it’s too bad he and Klesko were never on The Diamond field at the same time), is rumored to be on the trading block for Atlanta after his disappointing 2007 season (.216, 11 HR, 70 SO in 270 AB’s), when he was given a prime opportunity to become the team’s everyday first baseman. However, he demonstrated marked improvement in the minors whenever he played a second season in the same town – Richmond was witness to this – and it’s hoped he’ll pull the same trick in the majors, realizing some of the considerable power potential that made him a first-round draft pick, the highest selection of a Canadian position player in MLB history at the time. This, of course, means disregarding the 55 games he played for Atlanta in 2006 after his call-up from Richmond, but let’s play along for the sake of hopefulness.

Thorman’s definitely lost his starting job, barring injury to Teixeira, but has a shot at being the lefty bat off the bench, spelling Tex at first and occasionally seeing time in the outfield. He’s not helping himself so far this spring, hitting .160 with 1 HR in 25 AB. I spoke to Thorman before spring training in 2006, and he was a down-to-earth guy, telling jokes about the icy winters in the town in Canada where he grew up and spent the offseasons, joining fellow Canadian professionals, such as old R-Brave Pete Orr, for indoor workouts. A good guy, let’s hope he turns it on.

Some links to kick off the spring.

Tickets go on sale next week.

Richmond’s moving on Boulevard revitalization plan – with or without the Diamond.

Old friend Chris Chambliss returning to Richmond – this time as hitting coach.

Some useful background on The Diamond and Chief Connecticut.

Some news about a couple of last year’s R-Braves. Blaine Boyer has regained his 96-mph fastball and he’s out of minor league options, so he might be Atlanta-bound. Brent Lillibridge, blocked at shortstop at the major league level by fellow ex-RBrave Yunel Escobar, is going to boost his big-league chances by learning centerfield.

Chesterfield Observer writer takes a few shots at coverage of county’s professed non-interest in professional baseball.

A petition to save the Braves.

Big Deal in the Works?

This blockbuster deal, as reported, would have major implications for some former, current and future R-Braves.

(1) The inclusion of catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the trade would mean Brayan Pena, who has been reliable (.315, 4 HR, 34 RBI) in his return to Richmond this year, would likely return to Atlanta to back up Brian McCann.

(2) The inclusion of wunderkind shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus removes a large obstacle for Yunel Escobar, already a steady A-Brave, and Brent Lillibridge, who has made a promising transition to Triple-A, to securing long-term spots in Atlanta’s infield.

(3) The acquisition of Teixeira, particularly when Atlanta is giving up so much for him, indicates major disappointment with Scott Thorman’s first full year in the bigs. Last year’s star in Richmond, Thorman is hitting just .220 with 10 homers for Atlanta.

The prospects reportedly included in the trade – Salty, Andrus, Matt Harrison and Neftali Perez – were each among the top 10 prospects in the organization at the beginning of the year. None ultimately would done a R-Brave uniform: Saltalamacchia skipped Triple-A; Andrus and Perez, a righthanded pitcher, are teenagers in Single-A; and Harrison, the lefthanded ace of Double-A Mississippi, was a very likely Richmond callup before the end of the season.

Brayan Pena

Brayan Pena has gotten a tough break this year. After leading Richmond with a .302 average in 2006 and earning a roster spot with Atlanta this spring, the Cuban-born catcher is back in Richmond through no fault of his own, apparently blocked again at the major league level.

Pena was sidelined in early May with an injury. When starter Brian McCann also went down temporarily, hot prospect Jarrod “Salty” Saltalamacchia was called up from Double-A Mississippi to fill in. At the time, Atlanta officials spoke as though it was a given that the youngster would be returned to the minors as soon as possible so he could play every day and continue to gain experience.

However, Salty sparkled from the outset with the A-Braves and he’s remained on the roster even as Pena has healed up. Saltalamacchia has hit .324 with 2 homers in 24 games for the Braves, generally making a demotion look like a bad idea.

Meanwhile, Pena, who now has played in 51 major-league games over the past three years, has hidden any disappointment at being back in Richmond with his usual strong defense and solid hitting. Pena, who hit .217 in 23 AB in Atlanta before his injury, is hitting .306 during this year’s stint in Richmond. He continues to be an ideal fit as a backup to an everyday star like McCann because of his defense (he threw out 4 of 8 attempted basestealers in Atlanta in April), able bat (though he has no power at all) and lack of bejeweled prospect status (it is OK for Pena to sit for considerable stretches, while Atlanta officials will turn antsy if Salty stays off the field for long). It’s tough luck for Pena, but Atlanta must feel good knowing they have such a capable player waiting at Triple-A.

R-Braves in the Bigs — 2007

Atlanta has liberally dipped into the R-Braves’ clubhouse so far this season to fill gaps on the roster. The performance of the new call-ups has been mixed, but a few players appear to have earned extended looks at the big-league level.

Here’s how they’ve fared:

THRIVING

Willie Harris has well exceeded the journeyman tag he carried into the season. The versatile Harris, who can man multiple positions on the field, has hit .386 in 29 games in Atlanta, earning himself a regular place in the lineup. Harris has scored 16 runs, despite hitting occasionally in the No. 8 hole in front of the pitcher, and stolen 6 bases. His on-base percentage is .452.

Peter Moylan only had two appearances in Richmond before making the trip south. He’s been a valuable member of the Atlanta pen, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.54 ERA in 21 games. His WHIP (walks-plus-hits allowed per IP) is a very solid 1.09, second on the team to Rafael Soriano.

SCUFFLING

Martin Prado hit .179 (5-28) with no extra base hits during his recent brief stint in Atlanta. Prado was unable to carry over a run of solid hitting that had included a .354 average with Atlanta in spring training and a .301 average with Richmond in 2007. Plus, he had 2 errors with the A-Braves, after making just one error in the first two months of the season with Richmond. He returned to Richmond this week.

Macay McBride has allowed a gruesome 23 baserunners (12 BB, 11 H) in just 10 IP out of the Atlanta bullpen so far. McBride is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in 11 games.

SO FAR SO GOOD

Yunel Escobar, the top prospect on the R-Braves roster, made his debut with Atlanta this week and provided the team with instant production. Escobar, who was hitting .333 in Richmond, is 6-for-12 in his first three starts with Atlanta, hitting 2 doubles and a home run.

ROUGH WELCOMES

Anthony Lerew was brilliant in his first start for Atlanta this year, but struggled badly in his next two starts and now resides on the DL. He’s 0-2 with a 7.71.

Buddy Carlyle, who had been pitching beautifully at Richmond, is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two appearances in Atlanta. He gets a chance today to turn things around. He starts the opener of a doubleheader with Florida.

Lance Cormier, who only appeared in one game with Richmond, allowed 8 ER in 4 IP of a recent start for Atlanta.

Steve Colyer is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in 7 relief appearances for Atlanta.

Kevin Barry allowed 5 ER in a 2-IP relief appearance — his only one with the A-Braves this season.

Liberty Media & Richmond

“I really think we are likely to be in the background . . . focused on letting the great team that has operated the Braves continue what they do. We are a company that has had a history of letting good managers perform and letting them have a high degree of autonomy, and I think the Braves will be no different.”  –Liberty Media Corp President and CEO Greg Maffei. 

That’s been one of the themes of the newly finished deal between Time Warner and Liberty.  Liberty is going to leave the baseball to the Braves and hopefully see a return on their investment.  Liberty will only likely own the Braves for the next 4 ½ years.  Simply stated, they bought Time Warner to take advantage of tax incentives, as opposed to a desire to actively manage an organization as deep as the Braves, and Liberty likely will sell the Braves after those tax benefits are fully realized.  Liberty now owns the clubs in Atlanta, Richmond, Mississippi, Rome and Danville.  It’s safe to say that leaving the current Braves organizational and managerial structure in place is the most prudent means to that strong bottom line (certainly if the Liberty board sells the Braves after the allotted 4 years). 

This is terrific news for Richmond.  As of now nothing about the teams will change.  (This is all assuming that “Wild Man” Wilder doesn’t muck things up by opening his mouth to say anything other than, “Liberty Media Corp will be a wonderful partner for the Braves. I look forward to seeing the Braves play in Richmond for a long time.”  Attention press folks for Doug, you can use that quote if you’d like.  Please?)  With some luck, Liberty has been aware of its AAA club’s need for a new ballpark and will be supportive and financially proactive.

Alumni News – Lerew Shines

Some good recognition for Anthony Lerew, who was stellar in his start for the A-Braves on Tuesday against San Diego. Lerew posted a 7.48 ERA at Richmond last year, but was dominant (1-0, 1.37 ERA in five starts) at Richmond this year and opened eyes against the Pads (allowed 2 runs and 2 hits in 6+ IP). The key, apparently, is a move to a sinking, two-seam fastball and relying less on the faster, straighter four-seamer. Atlanta, in the reign of longtime pitching coach Leo Mazzone, was famous for taking talented but raw pitchers, getting them to take a few mph off their fastballs in exchange for better control and better movement and magically transforming them into highly effective pitchers. Mazzone is gone, but perhaps the tradition continues?

Lerew gets another chance to bid for a long-term stint in the starting rotation on Sunday, when he takes the mound against the Pirates.

Peapod Bustin’ Out

Willie Harris helped Smoltz get his 197^th win last night with 2 hits and some clutch defense with the bases loaded.  Smoltz had kudos for Harris after the game and even gave a shout to Peapod during a phone interview on Baseball Tonight.  It was the 2^nd stellar defensive play in as many games for Harris.

Pena on the move

The Braves answered the Tony Pena Jr. question, trading the slick shortstop to the Royals for an injury-prone young arm, Erik Cordier, who will miss 2007 for Tommy John surgery. KC’s GM Dayton Moore knew TP well from his tenure in the front office in Atlanta and clearly thinks highly of him. Shortly after the trade, KC’s returning SS, Angel Berroa, was demoted. A great opportunity for Pena.

TP on a roll

Tony Pena Jr., who took a large step forward in his career last year at Richmond, has been getting a lot of attention this spring both for his play and his contract situation, which forces Atlanta to make a now-or-never decision on him. Pena must make Atlanta’s opening-day roster or be waived. Atlanta’s middle-infield situation is already set, but Pena’s continued impressive play this spring – he’s hitting .342 and recently knocked a three-run HR off Billy Wagner – has made the choice a tough one.