Clint Sammons has been one of the bright spots for Richmond this season. (Will Schaffer)
Minor League Report: Richmond
We’re just about a month into the minor league season and it seems like the perfect time to start breaking down what’s going on around Atlanta’s farm system team-by-team. We’ll start with the Braves’ triple-A affiliate, the Richmond Braves, who are off to a strong start at 11-6 and more importantly, lead in the International League’s South Division.
Who’s Hot
RHP Phil Stockman- The 6′8″ Australian reliever went relatively unused and unnoticed this spring, throwing only three innings before being optioned down. With Atlanta’s pen feeling the strain of some key injuries, the Braves are going to have to take notice of the Aussie flame-thrower, who is ripping through opposing hitters this season. Stockman has pitched 11.2 innings in six relief appearances so far while allowing only two earned runs (1.54 ERA). His peripherals are very impressive as well as he’s held opposing hitters to a .103 average and has a 14/4 K/BB on the young season. There always seems to be something that keeps Stockman from getting his shot, whether it be injury or visa problems. If he keeps pitching this way, it’ll be almost impossible not to give him a look.
LHP Jo-Jo Reyes- The Braves are going to have to look outside the normal rotation for plenty of starts this season with Tom Glavine, Mike Hampton, John Smoltz, and Chuck James all either currently on the DL or having spent time on the DL at some point this season, as well as a youngster in Jair Jurrjens, whose innings the team will probably look to control. Charlie Morton may have made a case for himself over the winter and in the spring, but Jo-Jo Reyes is the one who has capitalized the most early in the ‘08 season. The southpaw hasn’t factored into a decision in any of his three starts, however he has yet to allow a run — earned or unearned — in his 14 innings this season. He has only allowed six hits with a .125 batting average against as well as a strong groundball rate and an 18/5 K/BB ratio. If his performance stays strong, Reyes is going to at least get a chance to prove to the Braves that he deserves starts and possibly position himself for a rotation spot next season.
C Clint Sammons- The Braves chose to go with experience over talent this Spring in choosing Brian McCann’s backup. The job was given to journeyman Corky Miller over Georgia-native Clint Sammons but poor performance by Miller combined with an offensive tear from Sammons may pretty quickly reverse those roles. While Miller has struggled both with the bat and in the field, Sammons is hitting a cool .395/.458/.535 in 43 at-bats as Richmond’s starting catcher. OK, admittedly Sammons is not THIS good — not even close really — but this offensive surge may be all he needs to supplant Miller on the major league roster. Sammons is known primarily for his defense and specifically, his ability to control the opposing team’s running game. On the other side, Miller has struggled with pretty much everything from blocking balls to throwing out runners this season. Sammons has done enough to force the issue. Right now, it’s just a question of how long Bobby Cox and Frank Wren can take Miller’s struggles.
OF Josh Anderson- Anderson was almost guaranteed a roster spot going into spring training, however a strong couple of weeks from Gregor Blanco took the speedy outfielder out of Atlanta’s opening day plans. He seems eager to get back to the majors, batting .319/.338/.391 in 69 at-bats with five stolen bases. There is just one minor obstacle and that is Gregor Blanco’s .444 batting average as Atlanta’s fourth outfielder right now. It’s pretty clear by now that neither of these guys will likely be regulars during their careers and both are going to be prone to slumps with rather free-swinging approaches (Anderson more than Blanco). If Anderson keeps putting up decent numbers, Blanco is going to have to avoid any extended slumps or else risk being sent down. I expect we’ll at least one swap of these two over the course of the year.
1B Barbaro Canizares- The former Cuban defector is following up a strong 2007 campaign by hitting even better to start this season. Canizares has hit .407/.444/.661 with six doubles and three homeruns in 59 at-bats for Richmond this season. There is one big problem for his chances of seeing time with the Braves this season. He only plays first. With Mark Teixeira entrenched at the position and without being able to play another position, Canizares has nowhere to go. The Braves are not going to use a bench spot on him with a logjam there already, so his best bet is probably to continue hitting and try and impress Braves officials during September if he gets a callup, because if Teixeira chooses to leave next season, Frank Wren is going to be looking at every possible option to fill the void.
Who’s Not
SS Brent Lillibridge-The baby-faced shortstop’s biggest knock has always been an inability to hit the breaking pitch (in particular a slider), which is caused by a rather long swing. That plagued the 24-year old during spring training and it has carried over into the season as Lillibridge is hitting a measly .152/.211/.227 with 19 strikeouts in only 66 at-bats. In all fairness, he is 4/7 in his last two games, however that is far from enough to reverse the less than stellar impression he made on the Braves coaches this spring. Even with Omar Infante, the Braves still don’t have a natural shortstop to backup Yunel Escobar and Lillibridge certainly has a good shot at seeing some time in the majors this season, but he is going to have to shorten his swing and cut back on the strikeouts if he is going to get that shot.
OF Brandon Jones- Jones is in the same boat as Lillibridge. He’s got a good shot to see significant time in the majors this season but so far, strikeouts have killed him. He’s hitting only .228/.313/.333 and has struck out 19 times in only 57 at-bats. The outfielder has yet to hit a homerun and his only extra-base hits are six double. If he can get his offense back on track, Jones has a good shot at becomng the left-handed half of platoon in left with Matt Diaz at some point this season but so far, he’s not inspiring confidence in anyone that he can produce at the major league level.
C Sal Fasano- Even his awesome mustache is not enough to make up for the veteran’s early-season struggles. Signed to be a possible backup catcher, the 36-year old backstop is hitting a mere .176/.222/.294 this season and seems to be drowning away any chance he had at joining the Braves this season. It’s disappointing because that man really does have a great mustache.
1B Scott Thorman- It has become clear over the past two seasons that Scott Thorman is a AAAA player. A guy who can mash minor league pitching but whose weaknesses are exploited by major league pitching so much so that he is completely ineffective. Now he can’t even hit minor league pitching. The Canadian firstbaseman owns a terrible .212/.255/.250 line (yes, he is in danger of dropping below a .500 OPS) with only two extra-base hits (both doubles) and a 16/3 K/BB in his 52 at-bats. I always liked Thorman as person and especially the way he plays the game, but right now he is legitimizing the decision of every other GM in baseball, to allow him to pass through waivers unclaimed.
RHP Zach Schreiber- Before the season, Schreiber was being mentioned among the names of reliever waiting to fill in if need be. He’s done a pretty good amount to distance himself from that immediate discussion at this point in the season. His 4.32 ERA isn’t terrible but it isn’t going to open any eyes either. In all fairness to him, his hit rate has been pretty good and his strikeout rate is at least decent. The problem has been control for the right-hander as he’s allowed six walks in only 8.1 innings. It seems pretty clear that at this point, Schreiber is pretty far down on the bullpen depth chart but there is still plenty of time for him to start performing and possibly see some time in the majors.
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21 Responses to “Minor League Report: Richmond”
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
With Sammons, I’d say it’s also a question of whether the Braves will still carry 3 catchers when they finally pull the string on Miller. I’m kind of expecting to see Miller go down when Infante is activated.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:01 am
Speaking of 3 catchers. I have been under the impression that Pena is being shopped around, so he would be the one to leave if that is the case. Of course Sammons could still replace Miller, but I also thought they wanted Sammons to play everyday and not just back up.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:05 am
He was certainly the front runner to backup going into spring training. He was sent down because Miller looked pretty good in spring training and if you’ve got a decent option, give him the at-bats. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out and I’d assume that Sammons will get a look.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:53 am
Atlanta will have a totally strong farm system every year no matter what,like they always have,and as long as the Braves farm stays strong,it won’t even matter who leaves after 2008,of course,even regarding Tex.The Braves have always been the Braves,this has always been a winning tradition,so it matters very little,when it comes which quality stars the Braves lose to free-agency every season.Speaking of last night’s game I know anything but a world series title has always been a total disappointment in Atlanta,because of just one world series title along with 14 straight NL East titles,but the Braves played a hell of a game last night by giving up just one run until the eighth or the ninth inning where they gave up five more runs,they should have won that game last night,after pitching a hell of a game last night.As for Smoltz,Congrats on your 3000′th career strikeout,may you be in the Hall of Fame,when you are no longer around.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
How do we make a decision on Miller after only 2 starts and 9 plate appearances. Sure he has 1 hit, a single and is thus batting .111, but it would be like cutting a guy from the team because he went hitless in the first 2 games of the season. This is just too small of a sample size and thus too early in the season to make a determination on how good Miller will be for us this season.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I’m not sure I’m ready for Sammons yet. I think he really really needs more development time in Richmond. The guy knows how to work a count, and as it’s been said a billion times - he’s a great catch/throw guy.
He’s got the tools, but I’d rather see him get regular playing time, than sitting on the end of Bobby’s bench. I know we’ve got Miller who, really is showing he has no business being McCann’s back up. But it’s not like Pena is showing any promise either.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
That 6-0 loss last night will be good for us in the long run,no problem at all,because we will get everyone healthy by June,and we are 10-10,at 500.it was a total disappointing loss,because losing has always been a total disappointment in Atlanta,especially regarding just one world series title along with 14 NL East titles,but we have to move on after last night,and get over 500.by winning again.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I don’t think either Barbaro or Clint are projected starters why not play them off the bench.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
clint might not be, but barbaro could surprise a few and turn out to be the second coming of sean casey, who was a pretty solid major leaguer for quite some time (99-05).
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
the thing about barbaro is he’s already 27(maybe older) and isn’t that good defensively so he’s more of a platoon/Lenny Harris type pinch hitters.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
First basemen really don’t need to be good defensively, even backups. Barbaro’s best chance is for Tex to get injured at some point this summer like he did last summer. Of course, that would be horrible for the team. The thing is, basically anyone can play first — Chris Woodward started 4 games at first last year, and he literally wasn’t good at anything — so you don’t really need a guy sitting on your bench who can’t do anything but play first, unless he’s an ace pinch hitter. Thorman can’t do that, because he can’t make contact with the ball. If Barbaro can, maybe he could be our new Julio Franco/Matt Franco.
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
It’s not so much the offense for Miller, It is his defense. He was billed as very good with the glove but so far he’s been very shaky back there, made a lot of mistakes, and has looked very poor throwing the ball.
Even if Canizares is a platoon player, the Braves may look to one next year if they don’t bring back Tex. It doesn’t make sense to carry him as a bench player now with a very steady firstbaseman who will start almost every game but next year… maybe.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I think the Braves want to leave Sammons at AAA to see if he develops into more than just a backup. He’s only 25 which isn’t that old for a catcher (they have a longer normal development track), so it isn’t out of the question to think he may be making a breakthrough past the “career backup” level. Remember that his defense is so good (among the best in all of pro baseball) that he won’t have to lead the league in hitting to be valuable as an everyday player. I’m not saying he WILL develop that way, but I think the Braves want to find out before they nail him to the Atlanta bench.
I totally agree with Shazaam on Miller. I won’t say that he’s going to rebound, but it’s too early to say at this point. I’d say the same is true of his defense…it’s kind of hard to judge on three games. He called a great game the other day when Jurrjens pitched and it looked like he was really helping Jair out. So maybe he isn’t the answer, but it’s too early to say that he’s not.
Jay, Barbaro Canizares may be 27, but he was a Cuban defector so this is only his third year of pro ball. Now I’m not trying to argue that he’s going to make some kind of massive breakout at his age, but he does get something of a mulligan in my book for his late start.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Canizares, Pena, and Escobar are all almost definitely older than they say. For a Cuban player, there is really no downside. No one has access to their real birth certificates and 2-3 years difference means a heck of a lot to a team. Just about every Cuban player probably lies about their age.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Boyer is really being screwed by this defense right now and unfortunately, these runs will show up as earned. Teixeira should have easily had that ball and Yunel should have gotten the out at home, except that he did that double pump thing. I hate that and all the younger players are doing it. David Wright is probably the poster child for it but Yunel has gotten pretty bad with it. They take away all their time and rely on getting runners by a half step but sometimes end up having to rush it because they misjudged.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Escobar doesn’t look that old.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
D’Andre, I agree, and I hope he’s the age he’s supposed to be. Other than Orlando Hernandez, I haven’t heard of Cuban defectors lying about their age anywhere near the degree that Dominicans and other Latin Americans do, when often unscrupulous buscadores push 18 year olds to claim they’re really 16 so they’ll have a better chance of getting rich.
The Cubans don’t get scouted, they defect when they’re much older and have already been playing professional baseball in Cuba for many more years. That’s not to say that their birth certificates are rock-solid or that their ages should be taken as gospel, but I would imagine that there are different pressures on Cuban players than for many other Latin Americans with regard to their true age.
And I agree, Yunel looks like a pretty young guy to me too.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
It’s pretty much thought that almost all Cuban players lie about their age. Let’s look at it. What do other Latin American players lie? Because a 16 year old with the same skills as an 18 or 19 year old is a lot more valuable and there is generally no way to check. We’ve found out a lot since 9/11 because the restrictions are a lot tougher on getting work visas and the checks are much more in depth. It has gotten a ton harder to lie about your age and not get caught as we saw with Jesus Montero of the Yankees. What is one of the few countries who the US can’t get access to? Cuba. For someone coming out of poverty and looking to break into pro baseball, it makes a ton of sense because they almost cannot get caught. The US just doesn’t have access to the real documents.
What you said about them generally being older makes it even more likely. A player who is 24 could come over and say he is 21, which is more valuable? Canizares is listed at 27 I believe. If he lies about his age by five years, that could make the difference between signing a professional contract or playing in an independent league.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Updates: Stockman was briefly called up, but then sent down when Yunel Escobar was injured. Still, that shows you where he is in the depth chart. Lillibridge was called up and played his first ML game today. Zach Schreiber was DFA’d; odds are some other team will put a claim on him.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Will, by whom is it pretty much thought that all Cuban players lie about their age? There aren’t that many in the majors, after all. They all had to defect, which means the U.S. had to give them asylum and issue them documents.
April 27th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Whenever I talk to fans about it and I’ve even heard a number of analysts and broadcast people discussing it. You’re right in that the US had to issue them documents, but they have to do that with everyone. 20 years ago, ever foreign player was lying about their age because they couldn’t get caught. Since 9/11, it has been much more difficult to do that because the government check much more in-depth. Cuba is probably the only country though, that the US has to completely rely on what these immigrants say. If they require documents, they are very easy to forge and no one will ever know the difference. If I was in there position, I’d do it to. Coming out of poverty, 2-3 years on your age can mean a huge deal to a team and if there is no risk — even if there is some — it is well worth it. Now, do we absolutely no that every Cuban player lies about their age? No, because it is almost impossible to catch them, but it would be naive to think that they don’t when there is no reason they wouldn’t. Next time someone defects or there is talk of someone defecting, go on to baseball america or ESPN and see what they say. I almost guarantee there will be a line close to “He is 23 years old but he is from Cuba so we don’t really know if that’s true” or “supposedly he is 23 years old”. Then, during the int’l free agent period, go to the same places and read about one of the top prospect and I guarantee you it won’t say anything like that.
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