The Atlanta Braves

[GAVol]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

Diaz is a good baserunner. That was a freak play. It wasn't going to happen anyway.

I agree. It was just a screwed up deal where the ball didn't get as far away as Diaz thought it would and the Catcher happened to spot it at just the right time.

Everybody just needs to be happy that somehow this team that barely had 75-80 win talent to start the year figured out a way to stay in contention all year long and win 85-87 games.

[The Dude]

The Rockies won today, clinching the wildcard.

[TennesseeFan07]

I haven't posted here in a bit, but I must say I feel terrible about Diaz last night. The Braves kept fighting till the end and I had them out of the WC along time ago. They should be commended for their efforts.

[tidwell]

Just read that Sciambi is leaving the Braves booth to work for ESPN full-time. What did you guys think of him? I always enjoyed the pairing of him and Simpson in the Braves games I've watched the last few years.

[tdtnvols2004]

I liked him and Joe together. Wonder who they will get to replace him.

[GAVol]

I've always liked Sciambi. He's not like 80% of the play by play guys that are just good voices telling you what you already can see is happening. He's smart and adds to the game.

[corona1898]

not a big fan of Boog's

[VOLNBAMA]

that sucks, i've always enjoyed Boog more than Chip. He and Joe have great chemistry.

[The Dude]

Chip is horrible.

Sciambi will immediately be a strong point of the ESPN team.

[7thgroupvolfan]

Enjoy your winter vacation Bravos, we'll see ya next year.

[VOLnVEGAS]

DANG BOOG IS GONE???? NEWS TO ME...That really sucks. He will do great at the ESPN

[VOLnVEGAS]

Yep I just found the article. Depressing freakin weekend. VOLS, TITANS, BRAVES, my sports bets!! NOW THIS....

Jon "Boog" Sciambi leaving Braves TV broadcast booth | ajc.com

[timmy3]

Originally Posted by The Dude

Chip is horrible.

Sciambi will immediately be a strong point of the ESPN team.

Boog is very good, but honestly anyone with an IQ above 85 would qualify as a "strong point" of ESPN's baseball team.

[The Dude]

Originally Posted by timmy3

Boog is very good, but honestly anyone with an IQ above 85 would qualify as a "strong point" of ESPN's baseball team.

Very true. All he needs to do is avoid stating the obvious, like "a team doesn't want to be down going into the 9th" to qualify. I'm sure ESPN will still display those ignorant stat graphics detailing how a hitter is more successful vs 0-1 or 1-2 counts, therefore the pitcher should defy traditional baseball logic and get behind in the count.

[timmy3]

Some good news... Christian Betancourt was named the GCL #1 prospect by BA and Julio Teheran was named the Appy League #1 prospect by BA. So the Braves had two of the best prospects in rookie ball this year (and both of those teams had some depth as well). Pretty exciting stuff, there's a good chance those two are battery mates at least for a little while next year in Rome; though the Braves have shown that they aren't scared to promote Teheran rather swiftly, and frankly I'd be surprised if he didn't dominate the Sally League if given the opportunity next April. Betancourt just turned 18, and is by all accounts likely to be our next big position prospect. It's definitely exciting when you have a kid whose defense will likely stick behind the plate, and was hitting against competition 3-4 years his senior. He projects to be a good defender with an above-average arm and a gap hitter who figures to add more and more pop as he gets older. Don't be surprised if he is one of the elite catching prospects this time next year, because at just 18 if he hits in Rome next year he will be.

Teheran has been hyped so much already I feel like everyone already knows a lot about him. Still we're talking about a kid with a ton of projection left in his frame (lists 6'2" 150) that already throws 92-96 and can sit in the mid-90's even late in games at just 18, and has an even better changeup that is like 15 MPH slower than the FB, just a huge velocity gap. Add to that that he has the feel for a curveball that should be a plus pitch as he develops more consistency for it (pretty common for teenage pitchers to struggle with consistency on the off-speed stuff). He comes from a 3/4 slot, and has a deceptive delivery that he repeats very well, and he's impressed with his intangibles as well, showing a lot of confidence and maturity. For scouts watching this guy is like taking Viagra. When he fills out, we're talking about a kid who could be sitting like 94-97 and touching numbers higher than that, and his change still be his best pitch. Expect to see him develop a four pitch mix, but that FB/CH combo is going to be the really devastating stuff. I'm also in love with the ground ball tendencies he's shown early on. I don't want to say he's the next Felix Hernandez, but it's certainly a tempting comparison.