First, the best part of the Upton acquisitions this off season has to be this meme picture: http://cardjunk.blogspot.com/2013/01/frank-wren-is-pirate-ninja-wizard.html
Getting down to business, the players on the move are as follows:
Braves get: Justin Upton, OF, and Chris Johnson, 3B
Diamondbacks get: Martin Prado, 3B, Randall Delgado, RHP, Nick Ahmed, SS, Brandon Drury, 3B and Zeke Spruill, RHP
For a break down of the major league implications, check out ESPN.
The most identifiable name, after All-Star Martin Prado, is Randall Delgado. The 22-year-old native of Panama started 17 games last year with only 4 wins to 9 losses including a 4.37 ERA. Delgado has an undoubtedly bright future, but he did struggle a little in winter ball this off season.
Compared to Teheran, Delgado has the less electric stuff. The fact that he is now in Arizona proves GM Frank Wren and the Braves organization think Teheran will be a better long-term investment.
With Delgado gone, Teheran will likely battle with Mike Minor for the 5th spot in the Atlanta rotation after Hudson, Medlen, Molholm and Beachy (assuming he comes back in good shape after his year-long rehab).
The direct impact on the G-Braves pitching staff is that Sean Gilmartin will start the year as the ace in Gwinnett paired with either Minor, Delgado or a rehabbing Beachy and 2012 G-Brave Yohan Flande.
Zeke Spruill, 23, started all 27 games he pitched for AA Danville last year collecting 9 wins with a 3.67 ERA. His full stat line is available, here.
Shortstop Nick Ahmed, 22, played last year between rookie ball and high-A Lynchburg. You can see his numbers, here.
Brandon Drury, 20, played all 4 infield positions last year at A-level Rome. Check out his numbers, here.
Going a level deeper, Chris Johnson and Juan Francisco will platoon 3rd base for Atlanta. Both are signed to short term contracts, meaning an impressive corner infielder could find a spot on the major league roster at 3rd base or even at 2nd base (if Dan Uggla continues to struggle) in upcoming years.
Catcher is also a position of opportunity with Brian McCann coming off injury in a contract year. Christian Bethancourt will probably get a chance in the opening weeks of the season while McCann recovers.
That means, McCann will likely have some rehab time with Gwinnett. But most likely, Bethancourt will spend the majority of the year at the triple-A affiliate barring any setbacks to McCann or an injury to free agent Gerald Laird.
Comments