Before we get to the post, I want to respond to the last thread.
Are Spring Training stats meaningless? Loaded question, but…Yes. They mean nothing. No team is going to start a season 1-0 because it carried the best spring training record. No player’s home runs or .400 batting average is transferable to Opening Day. No pitcher’s 12 innings in ST of 0.00 ER A and 18 strikeouts will be remembered after an Opening day disaster by allowing 4 runs in the first inning.
Spring Training is practice. There’s no denying it. There’s nothing in practice that can be teleported to a meaningful game, but does that make Spring Training, which is practice, meaningless?
That answer is no, especially in today’s game when players can remake themselves in an offseason.
*Off Soapbox*
Does the Shew Fit? Not Yet, but Maybe Soon
In the first round of the 2019 MLB draft, the Braves selected Braden Shewmake as the 21st pick. Shewmake was 21 and had just finished his 3rd year at Texas A&M where he carried strong (but not elite) numbers in all offensive facets while playing above average defense at shortstop.
His first taste of professional baseball came a month later at Low-A and he demolished the competition, carrying an .862 OPS in 51 games. Maybe it was a premature move, but being 21 and already 3 years deep in college ball , the front office had Shewmake skip High-A and sent him to where offense goes to die, Pearl, MS. It didn’t go well. It wasn’t all that shocking. When he arrived at Pearl, he had already accumulated nearly 600 PAs for the year and I’m sure was both physically and mentally exhausted. For the backend of 2019, I gave him a pass.
Then 2020 came and COVID ball cancelled all MiLB games and prospects were left to try to get in as much work as they could at an invite-only camp. Shewmake was there, but from what I’ve read, there just wasn’t a lot accomplished during that time and development slowed.
2021 and 2022 weren’t very kind to Shewmake either as a shortened season due to the lockout, followed by injuries in 2022 plagued him and he was only able to get in 80ish games each year with less than stellar results.
Unfortunately for Shewmake, his professional career has been full of potholes. Whether it be COVID, the lockout, or injury, Shewmake has not had a normal year of baseball since 2019.
Before spring began, I didn’t factor in Shewmake when discussing roster construction. Admittedly, combining the success he’s had in spring this year with Vaughn Grissom‘s lackluster results have placed Shewmake back in my internal roster radar. Will he make the Opening Day roster? Highly unlikely. However, if the Braves just don’t feel ready to give it to Vaughn and roll with Orlando Arcia to begin with, Shewmake might be called upon to play a bench role, and a lot can happen from there. Shewmake carries a steady glove, plays mostly SS but has moonlighted as a 2B and can likely play other positions in a pinch.
Ãndale, Ãndale Eli
There’s been a buzz in camp that I’d have never expected. Eli White is mashing. Now why is this such an extraordinary turn of events? Simply put, he’s been a speed and defense guy his whole career, and even in the minors, he’s only broken double digits once and that was in AAA when the ball was so heavily juiced that Adam Duvall could sneeze on it and it would fly out of the park.
Today, White parked his 2nd and 3rd HRs of spring and is carrying a .435/.500/1.000 slash line for the spring that also includes 2 doubles a triple, and 3 walks. Yes, it’s spring, but it’s contact and it is loud.
Luplow Kicks Off His Spring
A direct competitor for Eli White just made his ST debut Sunday. Jordan Luplow, who had been nursing an oblique went 1-2 with a walk, then followed that up by going 2-3 with a double today. If he’s healthy, Luplow is likely first in line for Eddie Rosario‘s platoon partner.
I know Spring Training stats are meaningless. And you know Spring Training stats are meaningless. Yet somehow, every year, 30 teams will make a roster decision based on them.
It’s not like that will make or break you, though. There’s no law that says any decisions you make based on ST are permanently binding or anything. The Braves took Alex Dickerson north last year; he didn’t survive April. Worst case scenario is your bad ST decision costs you a few hundred grand before you cut him.
@1 I don’t know if it’s accurate to say that decisions are made based on their ST stats. It might appear that way to us, but the staff is seeing a much bigger picture: how they conduct themselves, improvement in technique, your classic intangibles. I’m sure that if Snit sees something he likes in, say, one of the LF candidates, he’s not going to ignore that because someone else has a higher ST OPS.
Honestly, at this point, what we’re looking for are replacements for Robbie Grossman and Guillermo Heredia. I like Hilliard and White for those roles. In theory, both Luplow and White each have at least one option so either could begin in AAA. Wall and Pillar and Sanchez and Adrianza and Hechevarria and Sierra are all on MiLB deals and don’t have to be optioned to start at AAA. Luplow does have 4 years of MLB experience so I’m not sure his option is usable.
I think it’s down to Hilliard, Luplow, and White. Hilliard seems like a lock being out of options. They could take Hilliard and Pillar and start both Luplow and White at AAA.
Shewmake is our injury insurance…..
Does anyone have any news on Michael Soroka at all?
He’s playing catch. That’s about all I’ve heard. Honestly, anything from him at this point is just gravy.
Seems like there’s just no news other than the recovery from the hammy injury.
I was amazed when I saw that Adam Loewen’s pitching on the Canada WBC team. He was a top pitching prospect after being drafted fourth overall 21 years ago… then he got super wild and converted to the outfield… then he returned to the mound a decade later… and his final professional innings came in 2018. He’s turning 39 in four weeks. I love that he’s still going.
This isn’t a ST conclusion, but one that just so happens to pop in my mind anytime I see him pitch: I have 0 faith in Bryce Elder.
Am I wrong? I’m not wanting to argue. I truly want someone to tell me I’m wrong and how stupid I am because…
In case you don’t scroll the Braves transactions page, the following players have already been optioned back to MiLB camp:
•Roddery Munoz
•Seth Elledge
•Darius Vines
•Chadwick Tromp
There’ll likely be more after today’s game.
@8 I don’t think he’s given us any reason to have unrestrained enthusiasm about his prospects.
#8
My only evidence for Bryce Elder this ST: One pitch, one GSHR.
Braves just optioned both Ian and Elder to MILB camp. That’s really surprising…and telling. Dylan Dodd?
Or Shuster.
sPrInG tRaInInG iS mEaNiNgLeSs 🥴
And there’s more…
Aw, man. I was waiting to buy my Magneuris Sierra jersey.
8 — No, I agree. He has very meh stuff and has to be pinpoint with location. He does have 4 pitches, so he has to keep hitters guessing and off-balance.
Any BravesJournalers putting a fantasy league together this year? My league of 20 years ended and I’m looking to join a fun one.
New thread!
https://bravesjournal.mystagingwebsite.com/2023/03/15/braves-spring-training-update-ian-anderson-and-bryce-elder-optioned-to-milb-camp/