Mar 17 2009
Braves’ race for roster spots intensifies
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
ATLANTA — March Madness, personified by those sitting around trying to weigh the merits of previously un-thought of entities.
It’s a little like what happens during spring training. At some point, usually around the middle of March, those roster projections that looked so gleaming last month typically go under review. It usually happens because somebody who wasn’t considered a favorite to make the major-league roster steps up and plays better than expected.
With that said, here’s your version of March Madness, Braves-style:
Jordan Schafer: Certainly some thought the 22-year-old prospect had a chance to win the center field job. But after missing 50 games to suspension last season, and the fact Josh Anderson was impressive in his 40 games with Atlanta in 2008, Schafer’s road figured to carry him to Gwinnett to start the season.
And while I still think he’ll end up in Triple-A, he’s been on fire lately and has – at least temporarily – pulled closer to the slumping Anderson. Schafer is 7-for-15 since returning from a shoulder injury, raising his average to .385. He leads the team in steals, is tied for the lead in doubles, and sits third in total bases. He’s also struck out eight times in 26 at-bats, the biggest reason why I think he’ll find himself in Gwinnett come April.
Jo-Jo Reyes: Nobody, and I mean nobody, gave Reyes a chance to make the major-league roster in February. Even if Tom Glavine hadn’t resigned or wasn’t healthy, names such as Charlie Morton, James Parr, and super-prospect Tommy Hanson sat ahead of the little lefty on the depth chart.
Not anymore. Reyes has been arguably the Braves’ best hurler this spring. In four games, he’s 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA, having allowed just three earned runs and nine hits in 13 innings. Throwing his slider for strikes and displaying the confidence that was so lacking after mid-June last year, Reyes likely will go to Gwinnett to start 2009 – the Braves don’t need a fifth starter until April 19, and likely will carry an extra arm in the bullpen. But if the Braves need a starter early on, it’s quite possible Reyes gets the call.
Buddy Carlyle: It looked like the likeable journeyman would be squeezed off the big-league roster, especially with the return of Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan to the bullpen. But with the Braves only needing four starters for at least the beginning of April, and the thinking that Jorge Campillo probably should go to Gwinnett so he can pitch consistently, a spot now appears open at the very end of the Atlanta bullpen.
Carlyle has been super-sharp so far this spring, striking out five hitters while firing three scoreless innings. For a guy who finally had carved out a niche in the majors after spending his career bouncing from continent to continent and minor-league stop to minor-league stop, it’d be awesome if Buddy C. could at least start the season in the majors.
Finally, traditional March Madness: Louisville, Memphis, Pitt, UNC are my Final Four.
—30—
40 minutes of Hell will shock the nation, as Nolan Richardson’s former assistant at the University of Arkansas, Mike Anderson leads the Missouri Tigers to the Final four, joining Louisville, Villanova, and Carolina.