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Clippings Monday, February 1, 2016 Braves.com

Braves hold final FanFest at Turner Field

By Jon Cooper / Special to MLB.com | January 30th, 2016

ATLANTA -- In 2016 the Braves will try to send Turner Field out with a bang. They got off to a good start Saturday, when they held their annual FanFest.

With the stadium bathed in golden sunshine and temperatures sticking right around 60 degrees, fans lined up outside the gates well before the 10 a.m. ET start time.

Once inside, there were plenty of opportunities to meet Braves alumni, current Braves and the many blue-chip prospects who ideally will be attending future FanFests at SunTrust Park, which opens in 2017, as well as the architects of the up-and-coming franchise.

The players were eager to take pictures and share pleasantries with the fans and, of course, sign lots and lots of autographs.

"I'm ready," said Freddie Freeman, who announced in a press conference that his wrist is healed, he is 100 percent healthy and that he took swings on back-to-back days this week. "This is definitely a cool thing we're doing here. It's nice to have all the players in one place, because with the Caravan we'd go to different places, and we'd have three or four guys at one. Now we have every single player here. So I think it's going to be a cool thing for the fans, and hopefully we get a good turnout today."

"They asked me if I wanted to come and why wouldn't you want to come?" said outfielder Nick Swisher, who was all smiles in anticipation of his first Braves FanFest. "I haven't been in this city very much. I get a chance to meet a lot of different people. I get a chance to learn the city a little bit more and just go out there and have a good time like I always try to do."

Hall of Famer still enjoys FanFest and appreciates the symbolism of the day.

"It's a fun opportunity to interact with the fans and be around," said Glavine, who will once again impart his wisdom from the booth during Braves broadcasts. "It's kind of that unofficial kickoff to season, which is right around the corner. So it's a fun time of year."

The fans certainly had plenty of fun Saturday while navigating the packed Club Level of Turner Field.

"We're all big Braves fans," said Atlanta native Cameisha Meekins, who came with her husband of 13 years -- and Braves fan for more than 30 -- John, and their four children, two of whom had Braves logos painted on their cheeks.

"I've always loved Turner Field," said Kennesaw resident Donnie Richardson, who brought his wife, Jennifer, and three sons -- all big Freeman fans who were waiting in line for his autograph. "It's a great place to be, a great place to see a game. We were going to try to meet Freddie Freeman, but it looks like the line is a little long."

As usual, the autograph stations and photograph stations were a hit.

There also were four panel discussions. One, on the state of the team, featured club president John Schuerholz, executive vice president of sales and marketing Derek Schiller, first-year general manager John Coppolella and manager Fredi Gonzalez, and was moderated by longtime Braves broadcaster Joe Simpson.

Another looked ahead to the 2016 season and brought together veterans Freeman, Kelly Johnson, A.J. Pierzynski, youngster Mike Foltynewicz and newcomer Gordon Beckham. It was led by Hall of Famer Don Sutton.

An alumni chat featured first-base coach Terry Pendleton, former closer -- and the man who pitched the ninth inning of Game 6 of the -- Mark Wohlers, Denny Neagle and Sutton. A farm-system session with assistant director of player development Jonathan Schuerholz and prospects Mallex Smith, Braxton Davidson, Dansby Swanson and Lucas Sims was moderated by Ben Ingram.

For Swanson, the hot shortstop prospect who grew up in Kennesaw, his first FanFest held special meaning.

"This is a great venue. It's definitely good for all the fans to come and I think it gives them a good chance to meet us and see us outside of a baseball uniform, outside of us just on the field," said Swanson, who was acquired on Dec. 9, in the trade that sent Shelby Miller to Arizona. "They get to know our personality, our character a little bit."

The Braves also offered activities for young fans. There were a pair of kids-only events, one with veterans Swisher and Pierzynski fielding questions, and another during which Swanson and young righty Matt Wisler met the kiddie press corps. Second baseman Jace Peterson, meanwhile, read to youngsters in the Kids Reading Room.

At one autograph station, pitching prospects Touki Toussaint, Ian Krol, Max Fried, Max Povse and David Peterson took turns playing Connect Four and Jenga with young fans. At another, lefty Evan Rutckyj and Zack Bird took on kids at Madden NFL 16.

Fans had an opportunity to record promos for FOX Sports and purchase rare Braves memorabilia, with proceeds going to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.

The fact that Saturday was the last FanFest at Turner Field wasn't lost on fans or players.

"It's kinda bittersweet," said Johnny Tallant, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council for the Braves 400 Club, who, by his count had attended 15 or 20 FanFests. "Even though it's a tough drive for me, I like Turner Field."

"This is actually my first FanFest and to come here to Turner Field, and this is the last year for Turner Field, it's pretty special," said Jace Peterson. "So to be able to be here and be with all the fans and interact with them, kids to adults, it's pretty special."

Braves boast 5 prospects on '16 Top 100 list

New acquisitions Swanson (No. 8), Newcomb (No. 21) lead Atlanta's deep system

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | January 29th, 2016

ATLANTA -- It will take some time before the Braves know how successful they have been with their rebuild. But it's safe to say they have already achieved their goal of transforming their farm system from one of baseball's worst to one of its best.

Further indication of this turnaround was displayed on Friday night, when MLB.com unveiled its latest Top 100 Prospects list. The Braves have five representatives, including four in the top 56. This Atlanta crop was enriched by this offseason's acquisitions of shortstop Dansby Swanson and left- handed Sean Newcomb.

Swanson, who was acquired in the December trade that sent Shelby Miller to the D-backs, ranks as the game's No. 8 overall prospect and the fourth-best shortstop prospect. Newcomb, who was acquired in the November trade that sent Andrelton Simmons to the Angels, ranks 21st on the overall prospect list and fourth among all left-handed pitching prospects.

Shortstop Ozzie Albies (29th overall), right-handed pitcher Aaron Blair (56th) and Kolby Allard (89th) are the three other Braves players included on this updated Top 100 Prospects list.

If a numeric value was placed on every prospect within the top 100, with the No. 1 prospect drawing 100 points and No. 100 drawing one point, the Braves would have the game's fifth-highest point total. The Rangers, Rockies, Dodgers and Red Sox are the clubs that would rank better in this category.

The annual ranking of baseball's Top 100 Prospects is assembled byMLBPipeline.com Draft and prospect experts Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Mike Rosenbaum, who compile input from industry sources, including scouts and scouting directors. It is based on analysis of players' skill sets, upsides, proximity to the Majors and potential immediate impact to their teams. Only players with rookie status entering the 2016 season are eligible for the list. The rankings follow the guidelines laid out by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, in terms of who falls under the international pool money rules: Players who were at least 23 years old when they signed and played in leagues deemed to be professional (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cuba) are not eligible.

Since being selected with the top overall selection in last summer's Draft, Swanson has had a chance to briefly introduce himself to pro ball at the Class A level. He has played just 27 regular-season games, but the former College World Series MVP gained valuable experience when he competed in the Northwest League playoffs with the Hillsboro Hops in September. The suburban Atlanta native could reach the Major League level at some point during the 2017 season.

Newcomb's stock has risen as he ranked 68th on this list entering the 2015 season. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound lefty possesses a that has sat between 92-95 mph and an offspeed repertoire that includes a changeup that seemed to improve last season. The 22-year-old has drawn some comparisons to Jon Lester. But Newcomb will need to improve his command for the possibility to become a part of Atlanta's rotation at some point this year.

Albies is the only Braves representative on this Top 100 list who was a part of Atlanta's organization at this time last year. The exciting Curacao product ranks as MLB.com's 10th-best shortstop, but he might eventually transition to second base to allow for him and Swanson to form a double- play combo.

Blair was grouped with Swanson and Ender Inciarte to form the blockbuster package the Braves received in compensation for Miller. The 23-year- old right-hander is a polished hurler who could reach the Majors before Newcomb. Blair posted a 2.97 ERA over the 25 starts he combined to make at the Double-A and Triple-A levels last year.

Allard was considered one of the top pitching prospects in last year's Draft. A back injury lowered his stock and provided the Braves a chance to feel like they got a steal by taking him with the 14th overall selection. The 18-year-old southpaw struck out 12 of the 20 batters he faced for the Gulf Coast League Braves. Allard made just three appearances before undergoing what has been described as a minor back surgery. He is expected to enter with no limitations.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves’ Beckham hopes for hometown career revival

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

New Braves infielder Gordon Beckham heard something Saturday at FanFest that he never heard during any such event in his nearly seven seasons with the White Sox.

He heard, “Go Dawgs!” More than once.

“It’s nice to be back home,” said Beckham, an Atlanta native and former University of Georgia standout who signed a free-agent contract with the Braves in December. “It’s definitely different, but I just feel very comfortable because obviously I live here and this is kind of my backyard.”

Thousands of Braves fans turned out for FanFest, and plenty made it a point to welcome home Beckham, who hopes to revive his stalled career with the team he watched regularly as a kid on TBS or sitting in the stands at Turner Field or old Fulton County Stadium.

“It’s definitely been a cool day to get back in there, and you have people say, ‘Go Dawgs’ and stuff,” he said. “It’s funny, because you just don’t think about it like that (being away in Chicago). But I grew up here in Georgia. It’s definitely cool to be in a Braves uniform.”

Beckham signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract after a career-worst season. He hit .209 with six homers, a .275 on-base percentage and a .332 slugging percentage in 237 plate appearances for the White Sox.

He continued to grade well defensively at second base and third base, working mostly at third base last season after playing 105 games at second base in 2014 for the White Sox and Angels. He provides the Braves with at least a platoon option at second base or depth at a few infield positions, but Beckham is aiming for a bigger role.

His goal?

“To be playing third base every day,” he said. “I think that’s what they told me that I had the opportunity to do, so we’ll go into spring and see what happens. If that doesn’t work out, then I’ll probably just be going all over the place and playing all the infield positions, which I can do. But my goal is to be playing third base every day.”

The Westminster High School graduate never developed into the star he expected to become after being selected by the White Sox in the first round (eighth overall pick) of the 2008 draft. He’s a .242 career hitter with a .304 OBP, 69 home runs and a .676 OPS in seven seasons, including 14 homers with a career-best 63 RBIs as a 22-year-old rookie in 2009.

In 2012 he had career-bests in homers (16), games played (151) and plate appearances (582). Beckham hasn’t had as many as 10 homers , 500 PAs or 130 games played in any season since.

“It’s just nice because I feel like I’m in my backyard,” he said. “I did really well at Georgia and I’m really comfortable there. Having a new jersey (team) is huge for me; I’ve wanted to kind of get a new start somewhere. What better way to resurrect my career than in my hometown? I think it’d be really cool.”

He’s also looking forward to being a leader on a young team sprinkled with veterans including a couple of his former White Sox teammates, catchers A.J. Pierzynski and offseason signee Tyler Flowers. “I know Kelly Johnson well, and I played with (Erick) Aybar in L.A. and he’s first class, and he’s a great player,” Beckham said. “And I obviously know A.J. and Tyler Flowers.”

Braves’ Peterson healthy after playing hurt much of ‘15

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

After playing the last four months of the 2015 season with a partially torn thumb ligament, Braves second baseman Jace Peterson is pain-free and eager to get going again at spring training.

Peterson injured his right thumb diving for a ball during a road series against the Dodgers May 25-27. He was on a hitting surge at the time and continued to hit well for another few weeks after the injury, but his performance declined sharply by late June.

He struggled offensively for the rest of the season, with only scattered periods of good production. Neither Peterson nor the Braves said anything publicly about the extent of his injury during the season.

Peterson only addressed the issue Saturday at FanFest when asked about it by a reporter, after teammate Freddie Freeman mentioned the injury recently. Even then, Peterson seemed reluctant, not wanting to make it seem like he was making an excuse for his midseason offensive decline.

“It was torn,” he said. “I could play. It wasn’t good, but I could play.”

Asked how he hurt it, Peterson said, “I dove and it hit, and snapped.”

He was diagnosed with an 80-percent tear of a tendon in the thumb, and wore a cast on his arm for 1 ½ months after the season. That was followed by a short stint in a wrist cast. There was no surgery required.

“I let it heal on its own – it feels strong now,” said the Lake Charles, La., native, who rehabbed at the same hometown facility where Peterson, a former McNeese State University football player, recovered from knee surgery earlier in his career.

Peterson, 25, hit .239 with 34 extra-base hits (six home runs) and a .314 on-base percentage in 152 games (597 plate appearances). After hitting .309 with a .389 OBP and .426 slugging percentage in a 50-game stretch through June 21, he batted just .204 with a .274 OBP and .294 slugging over his final 87 games.

Last year was his first season with the Braves organization – he came from the Padres in the Justin Upton trade the previous winter – and his first full season in the major leagues. Peterson didn’t want to shut it down to let the injury heal. It would’ve taken a couple of months and might have ended his season altogether.

“I don’t really like to say it affected me” last season, Peterson said, “but it definitely wasn’t 100 percent. I’ll leave it at that.”

Braves great Andruw Jones set to retire, wants to stay in baseball

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Andruw Jones was pleased to be back at Turner Field for FanFest on Saturday, and the longtime former Braves center fielder might consider returning to the organization someday in a coaching or instructor’s role.

Jones, 38, said he likely would announce soon that he’s done playing, after initially hoping to catch on with a major league team for one final season following a two-year stint playing in Japan. He was hurt and didn’t play in 2015.

“I’ll probably soon retire,” said Jones, who has maintained his permanent residence in Atlanta. “I can be at home with my kid, teach him a couple of things. I haven’t announced it yet, but I probably will.”

The former splending-fielding slugger drew one of the biggest autograph lines at FanFest and was greeted warmly by Braves fans.

“It’s always fun to come back to the stadium,” said Jones, who had been to Turner Field only a few times since ending his 12-year, 10-Golden Glove run with the Braves after the 2007 season. “So many memories. Great years, tough years. It’s always good to come back.”

Until playing in a Braves alumni softball game last summer at Turner Field, Jones had been to the ballpark only for a series with the Dodgers in 2008 and another with the Yankees in 2012.

He has played only four games in Atlanta since his last season with the Braves in 2007, when he hit 26 homers – his 10th consecutive season with 25 or more, including a career-best 51 in 2005, when he led the in homers and RBIs (128). “It’s always fun (coming back),” he said. “Last year we had that softball event; I had a blast here. It was just good to be back on the field here in Atlanta and see all the fans and be part of it. It’s always good. I love Atlanta; I still live here. Hopefully something will work out in the career (going forward).”

Jones, who would seem a likely candidate to be the next Brave inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. He hit .254 with 434 home runs, 1,289 RBIs and an .823 OPS in a 17-year major league career, including .263 with 368 home runs in 12 seasons with the Braves.

Asked about what’s next and possibly working for the Braves or another team, he said, “We’ll see what happens. We’ve had a couple of discussions with Scott (Boras, his agent) to see what’s going on. I’d love to share my knowledge and experience of playing the game for a long time with some of these young kids.”

Possibly with the Braves?

“Like I say, I would love to be part of it,” he said. “We just have to sit down and see what’s out there and what the role will be, and we’ll go from there. Like I said, I would like to be part of an organization and help the up-and-coming kids, share my knowledge as a baseball player, as a defender, and as a hitter, too.”

Glavine on Braves’ rebuilding

By David Purdum

Tom Glavine sees the same “footprint” being put in place that led the Atlanta Braves to a World Series title during his Hall of Fame career.

The Braves finished 67-95 last season, 23 games behind in the National League East. They overturned their roster and farm system with a series of trades and a focus on stockpiling young arms. It’s a familiar approach for Glavine, who came up with the Braves in 1989 and spent 15 seasons with Atlanta.

“I know when I came through the minor leagues, it was a similar process to where it seemed every year they were loading up on arms in the draft and trying to rebuild the organization through the arms and add a few players along the way,” Glavine said. “But it certainly seems like that’s what they’re trying to do again is load up on arms, either for guys that are going to get here to the big leagues or guys that are going to be used as pieces of trades to go and get other guys.

“It’s a footprint,” he added, “that has worked well here in the past and one that they certainly seem to be trying to get back to.”

Wisler sought assistance from Glavine

By David Purdum

Asked if he saw a little of himself in young Braves starter Matt Wisler, Tom Glavine laughed.

“No, he’s better than I was at his age,” Glavine said Saturday during FanFest at Turner Field.

Wisler, 23, reached out to Glavine late last season, talked about his changeup and pitching in general and threw in front of the Hall of Famer this winter.

“There’s a lot about him that I like in terms of his mechanics and his foundation and things of that nature,” Glavine said. “Having watched him, an off-speed pitch, particularly a change-up to a left-handed hitter, I think, would be really helpful for him. And I know it’s something he felt the same way about it.”

In addition to Wisler’s mechanics, Glavine praised the young right-hander’s eagerness to learn and ask questions.

“You don’t get that a lot with young guys,” Glavine said. “I know I wasn’t like that when I was a younger player, but I had the benefit of being around a lot of veteran players when I got here. I’ve said for a couple years now, these guys really haven’t had that. They’re all young together. They’re all going through their lumps together and haven’t had that veteran presence around them to bounce ideas off of like I did when I got here. Anytime I’m around, I love talking to those guys, but I know it’s hard for a lot of them to work up the courage, so to speak, to come ask questions. But Matt hasn’t been one of those guys. He’s always been forthcoming with questions and trying to learn stuff.”

Fredi Gonzalez: Braves' offense will be better

By David Purdum

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez joked that he hasn’t been making lineups, but likes what he sees when envisioning what the top of the batting order could be.

In a media session Saturday during FanFest at Turner Field, Gonzalez envisioned a lineup topped by newly-acquired center fielder Ender Inciarte, shortstop Erick Aybar and first baseman Freddie Freeman in the three hole.

“Fourth can be whoever’s hot or whoever we want to put behind Freeman,” Gonzalez said. “It’s going to be a fun team offensively. I think it’s going to be a lot better than last year’s team.”

The Braves picked up Inciarte in a deal that sent starting pitcher Shelby Miller to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In Inciarte, Gonzalez sees a spark plug in the top of the lineup.

“We haven’t had that top-of-the-order bat since (Michael Bourn) and before that maybe (Rafael) Furcal,” Gonzalez said. “A guy that’s going to put the ball in play, create some havoc, steal some bases, play great defense in center field and can really throw.”

Coppolella: The plan is to build with pitching

By David Purdum

Braves General Manager John Coppolella acknowledged that an offseason of turnover was difficult at times. But heading into his 10th season with the organization, Coppolella says he’s never been more excited for the future.

“We had a good run from 2010 through 2014, where I think we won more games than any team in the NL,” Coppolella said Saturday during FanFest at Turner Field. “I think we have a chance to be better than that.”

Coppolella is focused on post-season success, something the Braves haven’t experienced in more than a decade. The team’s last playoff series win came in 2001.

“That’s what this is about; trying to get talent that can go deep (in the playoffs),” Coppolella said. “We’ve got one world championship for the city, and we’ve got to get that number up. We’ve got to get deep, try to find a way to where we can go deep in the playoffs.”

Coppolella’s plan is centered on acquiring pitching and building around home-grown players. He noted that the team received pitching in every trade made during the offseason.

“Even with all the pitching that we’ve got, we still need more,” Coppolella said. “That’s the plan, basically, is to build around pitching. It’s how the Braves were built throughout the 1990s. But really, the plan for us is to build around young, home-grown players, and to try to avoid signing free agents unless they can really finish off your team.”

Similarities seen between Aybar, Simmons

By David Purdum

Braves second baseman Jace Peterson has been watching new shortstop Erick Aybar and is eager to get to work with his new double-play partner.

The Braves traded shortstop Andrelton Simmons to the for Aybar and pitching prospects Chris Ellis and Sean Newcomb in November.

“I’ve gotten to see (Aybar) play over the last few years just from me growing up,” Peterson said Saturday during FanFest at Turner Field. “I’ve been watching him for a long time. I’m excited to play with him. I think him and Simmons do a lot of things similar. I watched him a ton, and obviously I played with (Simmons) last year. So I think it’s something that we’ll have to get to spring training and work on, continue to take reps, turn double plays, take ground balls together and kind of get a feel for each other. But I don’t think it should be a problem at all.”

Peterson heads into his second season. He’ll be the starter at second base. He grinded through an up-and-down first season, playing for much of the year with a partially torn tendon in his right thumb. He wore a hard cast on the thumb for a month and a half during the offseason and said it feels better.

“I learned it’s a long season and you have to kind of just ride it out,” Peterson said. “I think last year I got myself in trouble in different cases. I think that I grew a lot last year in the season. I just took this offseason and got better and focused on stuff in the cage, a bunch of hitting drills, bunch of throwing drills, bunch of defensive drills. I feel ready and excited.” Freeman pain-free and happy as a Brave

By David Purdum

After an injury-plagued 2015 season, Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman says he’s pain-free and ready to return the love the organization showed him in the offseason.

“Being able to swing with no pain for the first time in seven months, really got my juices flowing,” Freeman said Saturday at FanFest at Turner Field.

Freeman battled a right wrist injury for much of last season, limiting him to 118 games. He sustained the injury in mid-June and never got back to 100 percent.

Treatment on the wrist lasted into the winter, as did rumors about him possibly being traded during the team’s active offseason. But he says the wrist is healed, and he’s still a Brave.

Freeman said it was a confidence boost to have the organization quickly shoot down rumors anytime his name was mentioned in trade talks during an offseason of turnover.

“I’d like to finish my career as a Brave,” Freeman said.

GM: ‘Young catching’ is biggest longterm need

By David Purdum

Veteran catchers A.J. Pierzynski and Tyler Flowers are expected to provide a steady influence for the Braves’ bevy of young pitching prospects. But behind Pierzynski and Flowers, there’s a need for young catching. In fact, general manager John Coppolella says finding young catching is the organization’s biggest long-term need in terms of prospects.

“We don’t have anybody that’s close right now,” Coppolella. “We have guys that we like, who are two or three years away. As far as for-real impact guys, we don’t have anyone close.”

While Coppolella tries to pinpoint the catchers of the future, he’s happy to have the tandem of Pierzynski and Flowers to help shape the young pitching arms that are in the system.

The Braves drafted Flowers in 2005. He spent seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox before the Braves signed him to a three-year deal in December.

“Flowers ranked as the second-best framer out there,” Coppolella said. “That will really help our young arms as they keep getting better and as they start to come through our system.”

Pierzynski is entering his 15th full season and second in Atlanta. Coppolella said having the veteran on the roster is a huge factor.

“With A.J., this guy cares greatly, works with our guys, wants them to get better,” Coppolella said.

Dansby Swanson could be in Atlanta ‘soon’

By David Purdum

Shortstop Dansby Swanson, a Marietta High School standout and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, says he doesn’t have a timetable in mind for his career with the Atlanta Braves.

“I barely know what I’m going to do tomorrow,” Dansby joked Saturday during FanFest at Turner Field.

But Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez has thought ahead, and when he was looking at the trade with Arizona that brought Swanson to Atlanta, he envisioned him breaking camp with the team.

“He’ll let us know,” Gonzalez said. “If he comes in and just has a great spring, and maybe we don’t hold him back just because we want to, this guy’s not 18; he’s 22. He’s played some good baseball. It won’t surprise me that this guy will be up here sooner than later.”

Swanson hit .289 with one and 11 RBIs in 22 games in Class A last season.

Baseball Prospectus: Braves have six of the top 82 prospects

By Mark Bradley

No, not every touted prospect becomes a big-time player. You know that. I know that. The Atlanta Braves know, too. But some prospects do pan out — ask the Cubs and the Mets — and when they do, the effect can spectacular. So Braves fans should take some amount of heart from Baseball Prospectus’ just-revealed list of the sport’s top 101 prospects.

The Braves have six of the 101. (Six of the top 82, actually.) Only Colorado, with seven, commands more spots. The Braves’ six are:

Dansby Swanson, SS, No. 27

Sean Newcomb, LHP, No. 32

Ozhaino Albies, SS, No. 37

Aaron Blair, RHP, No. 43

Austin Riley, 3B, No. 79

Kolby Allard, LHP, No. 82

Of those six, five weren’t with the organization as of Memorial Day 2015. Allard and Riley were first-round draftees. Newcomb arrived from the Angels in the Andrelton Simmons trade. Swanson and Blair came from Arizona in the Shelby Miller deal. That’s how fast John Coppolella and John Hart have restocked the farm system. They’ve given away a lot in major-league talent, but they’ve gotten what they wanted — younger, cheaper talent, and lots of it.

Just for fun, here’s how BP regarded previous manifestations of the Braves’ farm system. In 2015, the organization had two (No. 54 Lucas Sims and No. 92 Jose Peraza) of the top 101. In 2014, it had two (No. 40 Sims and No. 87 Christian Bethancourt) in the top 101. In 2013, it had three (No. 52 Julio Teheran, No. 63 J.R. Graham and No. 93 Bethancourt).

You mightn’t like what the Two Johns have done. You mightn’t be willing to sit still and wait for this young talent to coalesce, assuming it does. But say this for Messrs. Coppolella and Hart: They’ve done exactly as they said — they’ve rebuilt a minor-league chain they considered one of the five worst in baseball when they took hold of it. It’s not one of the five worst anymore. It’s among the best.

Residents share vision for neighborhoods near Turner Field

By J. Scott Trubey

They sat around tables with maps and wooden blocks that looked like mid-rise apartment buildings, office towers and rows of single family homes. Thin strips representing roads and green tiles resembling parks were the glue stitching together visions of a future for what is now a disjointed Turner Field area.

The exercise Saturday inside the Fanplex building next to The Ted looked a little like city planning with Legos, and designers hope to take residents’ ideas to help shape a master plan to renew an area long cut off from downtown by freeways and parking lots.

That the latest Livable Centers Initiative meeting took place inside FanPlex – a misbegotten attempt to give Braves fans something to do after ballgames – was somewhat fitting. FanPlex was also supposed to help stimulate development in the area, but didn’t.

Residents and business owners around Turner Field hope this time will be different.

Otis Hunter, a Stone Mountain resident who owns parking lots in Mechanicsville near Turner Field, said he was part of master planning exercises tied to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games that were filled with ambition but went nowhere. The Atlanta Braves’ departure to Cobb County after next season is looming, he said, and residents by the hundreds that turned out over two sessions Saturday were wise to get engaged and stay involved.

“We had this kind of hype headed into the Olympics,” Hunter said. Then nothing.

A team including Georgia State University and developers Carter and Oakwood Development are negotiating a sales contract with the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority to buy Turner Field and surrounding parking lots that total about 70 acres. A final deal could be announced in the coming weeks.

They plan to convert the ballpark into a football stadium, and build student housing, market rate apartments, senior living, single family homes and retail. Their plans also call for a baseball field to go in the footprint of the former Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and preserving the Hank Aaron home run wall. That investment — perhaps $300 million, perhaps more — will be by far the most the stadium neighborhoods have seen since the Ted was built for the 1996 Games. It also will encompass parking lots that sit mostly empty more than three-fourths of the year.

Laura Beall, president of the Peoplestown Neighborhood Association, said the area desperately needs service retail, a decent grocery store and restaurants. She drives miles to go to the dry cleaner, shop for food or to visit her bank.

“There are a lot of needs this area is missing,” she said.

Many residents in past meetings and in the meetings on Saturday said job training and continuing education for adults, improved public safety, storm water retention and better connectivity between neighborhoods were vital needs. Neighborhoods including Peoplestown, Summerhill, Mechanicsville and Pittsburgh were cut off decades ago by Atlanta’s freeways.

Planners with Perkins+Will said the redevelopment of the Turner Field area offers the opportunity to potentially reconnect some of street grid severed by interstates.

A market presentation showed the area is growing at a faster rate than the city at large, and that the neighborhoods could be attractive to downtown workers looking to shorten their commutes. The more rooftops and the higher the median incomes, the more attractive the area will be to merchants. But some fear displacement of longtime residents.

Saturday’s meeting examined land nearest the stadium. Meetings in future months will look at opportunities in the four stadium neighborhoods and parts of Grant Park that are within the study area. The LCI study in many ways mirrors an ongoing study around Fort McPherson.

Hunter said he’s impressed by the Georgia State plan. The student presence, he said, will help the neighborhoods around Turner Field become more appealing to retailers. But he hopes the plans this time are realistic.

“We’re all going to need those services,” he said of students and the neighborhoods.

Fox Sports South

Braves' Wisler turns to HOFer Glavine to help with changeup

By Cory McCartney

ATLANTA -- The two met for a cup of coffee that expanded into a two-hour conversation on pitching, and in particular Matt Wisler's changeup. The Braves' 23-year-old right-hander had the ear of Tom Glavine, who built his Hall of Fame resume with that very pitch, and Wisler was taking full advantage.

"That was his big pitch and that's why I wanted to get with him on it," Wisler said. "That was his bit pitch and I need to make that a bit priority this offseason so I can handle lefties a little better this coming year, so it was a pitch I needed to learn.

I think it will be a good pitch for righties too. He was talking to me about when he used to throw it, the confidence he had in it and just kind of how to go about throwing it."

It was during a Sept. 29 start against the Nationals at Turner Field that the topic in the FOX Sports South broadcast booth turned into Wisler's changeup. The rookie was in the midst of throwing seven innings of one-hit ball, but that pitch in particular had haunted him for most of the season. As catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who was behind the plate for that outing, said, "I remember talking to him, and for a long stretch of starts (the changeup) was too hard."

Wisler threw his changeup just 151 times last season, as the slider -- which he delivered 438 times -- became his most-used secondary pitch. Much of that had to do with its ineffectiveness; batters had a 97.1 contact rate in offerings inside the strike zone, the highest of his arsenal, and it also had the lowest swing rate in general at 42.4.

So when Glavine announced during that outing vs. Washington "I'm a phone call away," Wisler took him up on the offer.

"Some people told me that and I wanted to get in touch with him and I got his number from (Braves president of baseball operations) John Hart and texted him," Wisler said.

Glavine had long been enamored with Wisler, noting the similarities in "how he goes about his business," and most importantly, his willingness to ask for help.

"What I like about him is that he's eager to learn stuff, eager to ask questions and you don't get that a lot with young guys," Glavine said. "I know I wasn't like that when I was a younger player." Famously, the two-seam circle change was a pitch Glavine had found by accident. It was during spring training in 1989 when a ball rolled toward him and he picked it up, his middle and ring fingers along the seam, with tip of his index finger on top of his thumbnail. He threw it ever since, a pitch he would always have confidence in during a 22-year career that included 305 wins and two Cy Young awards.

Now he was imparting that wisdom on one of the Braves' young arms, as the two decided to set aside time to work together when Wisler began throwing off the mound. They were joined by veteran catcher Tyler Flowers, who signed a two-year deal with Atlanta in December.

"I thought it was good," Flowers said. "I think Tom had some good advice for him to simplify his thoughts and his mentality on specifically the changeup and when he was trying to execute it arm-side vs. opposite arm-side. I think it was a good lesson for him."

Wisler went 8-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 109 innings over 19 starts last season and ended with an impressive three-start stretch that included three combined earned runs in 22 2/3 innings against the Mets, Nationals and Cardinals.

With All-Star Shelby Miller since traded to the Diamondbacks and Julio Teheran and Bud Norris the only certain to break spring training in the rotation, the Braves could benefit from Wisler building off that strong finish to 2015.

Especially if he can do so with an improved changeup.

"If you're going to pick a guy Tom Glavine is the guy to go to," Pierzynski said. "Hopefully he comes in and believes in it and you've just got to throw it and have confidence in a pitch."

Braves' Freeman focused on returning to iron man ways

After playing every game in 2014, Freddie Freeman appeared in a career-low 118 last season.

By Cory McCartney

ATLANTA -- Freddie Freeman's philosophy on leadership revolves around one simple principal: being present.

"I would like to be out there every day and be that one steady guy that everybody can lean on," the Braves first baseman said during Saturday's Fan Fest at Turner Field.

That's what made 2015 so difficult, as Freeman played in a career-low 118 games in a season cut short by a nagging wrist injury. He avoided surgery and, barring any setbacks as he continues to progress during his time in the batting cage, expects to be ready for Feb. 25's first full-squad workout.

"Everything feels good," he said. "I'm on the right path to be 100 percent healthy and full bore on the first day of spring training."

From 2011-14, few players were more reliable, with Freeman playing in 613 games, including all 162 in '14. Among National League players, only the Astros/Phillies/Giants' Hunter Pence (638), Pirates' Andrew McCutchen (618) and Cubs' Starlin Castro (615) played more, but it was Freeman that held the majors' active streak of appearing in 234 straight before he exited in the seventh inning against the Red Sox in June 17.

He had suffered the injury the pervious series against the Mets, but attempted to play through it and after nearly a month on the disabled list. He returned after the All-Star break and proceeded to hit just .241 with six homers in the final months.

It resulted in Freeman posting the fewest hits (115), RBI (66) and worst OPS (.841) since 2012, or before he rattled off back-to-back All-Star seasons.

If the relative struggles weren't enough, Freeman also had to watch another long-time teammate, shortstop Andrelton Simmons, be traded to the Angels in November, and a month later, the Braves' 2015 All-Star representative, right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller, was shipped to the Diamondbacks.

Amid the latest round of deals, came rumors that Freeman -- who in 2014 signed the longest and richest contract in franchise history at eight years, $135 million -- may also be on the move. But general manager John Coppolella was steadfast in saying "we will listen on any player not named Freddie Freeman."

"That definitely made me feel good," Freeman said. "I actually had a phone call from him in November when those rumors started to swirl for a few days. He called me and put me at ease and it was definitely nice to hear that from the general manager, and for him to keep saying, even though people wanted to keep bringing up those rumors over and over again, he kept shutting them down."

Freeman laughs at the realization that nearly the entire the Opening Day roster from the Braves' 2013 National League East championship team has been dismantled. Simmons, Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, B.J. Upton and Chris Johnson were all traded, Dan Uggla was released and Gerald Laird and the day's starting pitcher, Tim Hudson, weren't retained.

All that remains is the two-time All-Star cornerstone of the franchise.

"Definitely a little weird, because that was only two years ago," he said. But he's been clear in embracing the change. Coppolella's work helped revitalize a farm system that's considered the best in baseball, and littered the major league roster with veterans and talent that figures to have an impact in 2016, including new center fielder Ender Inciarte, left fielder Hector Olivera and a litany of pitchers.

"It's definitely different, but we've got a lot of veteran guys, the (Nick) Markakises, the (A.J.) Pierzynskis, the (Nick) Swishers, and we've got a lot of guys coming up I think are going to mix well and bring a division title here very soon," Freeman said.

And, should he have anything to say about it, the first baseman as the constant in the present and the future, making another run at being the Braves' iron man.

"I have one goal every single year and that's to play every single game," Freeman said.

Former Braves star Andruw Jones planning to retire

Andruw Jones made his MLB debut for the Atlanta Braves in 1996 as a 19-year-old.

By Staff

Andruw Jones, one of the greatest defensive players in baseball history, plans to retire after 20 seasons in the U.S. and Japan.

The five-time All-Star had been contemplating a return to following two seasons playing professionally in the Japan Pacific League, but at the Atlanta Braves' FanFest event Saturday he said that he will likely be calling it a career. No official retirement announcement has been scheduled.

"I'm probably not going to play, probably soon retire. I just feel like I can be at home with my kid and teach him a couple things," Jones said of his son, Druw. "I didn't announce yet, but I probably will."

Jones, 38, played 17 MLB seasons, most notably patrolling the Braves' center field from 1996 to 2007, racking up 10 consecutive Gold Gloves in the process. Only Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays claim more career Gold Gloves among MLB outfielders. (Ken Griffey Jr., Al Kaline and Ichiro Suzuki are tied with 10.)

After breaking into the majors as a 19-year-old prodigy, twice being named the No. 1 prospect in baseball by Baseball America, The Curacao Kid quickly established himself as one of the sport's most electrifying stars. From 1996 to 2007, only three players posted more wins above replacement according to FanGraphs: Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones.

Jones' career declined after his final season in Atlanta while playing for the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox and Yankees.

The final numbers are beyond noteworthy: a career 67.1 WAR while hitting .254/.337/.486 with 434 home runs, 152 stolen bases and 1,289 RBI. He's one of the greatest players in Braves franchise history — the team is commemorating one of his lasting moments, The Spiderman Catch, with a bobblehead during its final season at Turner Field — who aided, in many ways, one of the baseball's best pitching staffs for years.

It's a career worthy of, at the very least, Hall of Fame consideration.

With his retirement pending, Jones will be eligible for Cooperstown in 2018.

Jones left open the possibility of returning to the Braves in a coaching or instructional capacity — a route the franchise has taken with past stars like Chipper Jones and Fred McGriff.

"We'll see. We've had a couple discussions. I would love to," Jones said of coaching. "I would love to share my knowledge and my experience of playing the game for a long time to some of these young kids."

CBS Local

Braves 2016 Preview Series: Bullpen

By Grant McAuley

The 2016 Braves Positional Preview Series examines who could comprise the 25-man roster on Opening Day as well as players who could make a difference this season and beyond. A new preview will be released each Monday, with accompanying podcasts featuring special guests coming out each week as well.

Part 1 – Catchers Part 2 – Infield Part 3 – Outfield Part 4 – Starting Rotation Part 5 – Bullpen Part 6 – Prospect Report (2/8/16)

The Atlanta Braves bring a multitude of arms to camp this spring in hopes that the bullpen woes of 2015 will not follow them into this season. It was perhaps the most singularly frustrating aspect of last year’s 95-loss team. Among National League clubs, only the Colorado Rockies (32) and Cincinnati Reds (31) bullpens lost more games than Atlanta (29) in 2015. Consider both of those teams don’t exactly operate in pitcher-friendly parks. The Rockies’ 4.70 ERA was a mere percentage point higher than the Braves’ 4.69 ERA for worst in all of baseball, and Colorado relievers logged just over 80 innings more than Atlanta’s relief corps. The Braves also led the NL with 26 blown saves last season, just one behind the major league lead. Those are the kinds of numbers a team can expect after using 27 different relievers – including outfielder Jonny Gomes – in a single season. Needless to say, both general manager John Coppolella and president of baseball operations John Hart were adamant that fixing Atlanta’s bullpen problem was a top priority entering 2016.

Jason Grilli | RHP | Age: 39 | Contract Status: 1-year, $3.5 million

On the road back from a torn Achilles tendon which ended his season in July, Jason Grilli is expected to be healthy this spring and will get first crack at closing games according to Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. Prior to his injury on July 11 in Colorado, Grilli had returned to his all-star form and provided Atlanta with a more than capable replacement forCraig Kimbrel, who was traded just before opening day. Grilli was 3-4 with a 2.94 ERA and 24 saves in 26 chances over 36 appearances.

Grilli, who turned 39 years old back in November, was pitching like a man on a mission in 2015. His 1.2 WAR in roughly half a season was on track to be among the best in the game if he’d been allowed the chance to continue his work. Before he went down, Grilli was enjoying one of his best years in a number of categories. Among MLB relievers with at least 30 IP last season, Grilli’s WAR ranked 30th, his 12.03 K/9 ranked 11th, his percentage of 32.1% ranked 14th and his 2.12 FIP was eighth best in the game. Another good trend for Grilli in 2015 was his career-high average fastball velocity of 94.0 mph.

After watching Adam Wainwright overcome his Achilles injury in roughly five months to return to the Cardinals last season, Grilli has remained upbeat and positive throughout his rehab. The 13-year veteran has even agreed to chronicle his return in a series of videos for The Players’ Tribune (recommended viewing). His leadership and enthusiasm were notably missing from the Atlanta clubhouse as the team fell on hard times in the second half. A healthy and productive Grilli should be one of the center pieces of a revamped bullpen this season.

Arodys Vizcaino | RHP | Age: 25 | Contract Status: 1-year, $897,500

It could be said that Arodys Vizcaino took a somewhat circuitous route to major league success. Oft-traded and oft-injured, the hard-throwing right-hander also had to sit out a performance-enhancing drug suspension before ultimately seizing the closing duties by year’s end. Originally a Yankees farmhand, Vizcaino was traded to the Braves in 2009 and then to the Cubs in 2012, only to be dealt back to the Braves in 2014. He spent years among the Top 100 prospects in baseball, but injuries took the shine off Vizcaino’s stock.

A pair of arm surgeries, including Tommy John in 2012, cost Vizcaino two full seasons on the mound. The Braves reacquired him from Chicago after a good showing in the minors in 2014 and were hoping he’d make an immediate impact last season. Unfortunately, he was wild in spring training and was slapped with an 80-game suspension for PED use (Stanozolol) just before opening day. It was not the start the team nor the reliever envisioned. Despite the setback, Vizcaino emerged as one of the few bright spots in a grueling second half for Atlanta.

Despite his injury history and the PED-cloud hanging over his head, Vizcaino quickly dispelled his doubters in the second half. Among all MLB relievers with at least 30 IP last season, Vizcaino ranked 8th with an average fastball velocity of 97.0 mph – Craig Kimbrel was 6th with a 97.3 mph AFV. It wasn’t just the velocity that was impressive, but what he was able to do with both that and a dynamite slider put Vizcaino on the map as a potential closer. Vizcaino’s 1.60 ERA was ninth best among MLB relievers, his 0.27 HR/9 ranked 11th and his 85.5 LOB% was 23rd best in baseball last season (minimum 30 IP). His 9.9 K/9 over 33.2 IP is a solid number, which could actually improve with refinement. While Jason Grilli may have the first shot at save opportunities, Vizcaino is a nice handcuff for the Braves.

Jim Johnson | RHP | Age: 32 | Contract Status: 1-year, $2.5 million

Last season was definitely a tale of two halves, or perhaps a tale of two teams for Jim Johnson. The former all-star closer signed with Atlanta last winter in hopes of rebounding from a disastrous 2014 campaign. And that is exactly what Johnson did. Following a July trade to the Dodgers, however, he did not enjoy the same kind of success. Back with Atlanta, where he revived his career, Johnson will try to put a rocky stay in Los Angeles behind him.

Johnson finished his season with a 2-6 record and 4.46 ERA in 72 appearances, but he was 2-3 with nine saves and a 2.25 ERA in 49 outings with Atlanta. He seemed to have refined the command issues that plagued him with the Athletics and Tigers in 2014, but Johnson will have to reestablish himself this season in order to prove his previous success in Atlanta was no mistake. Working with pitching coach Roger McDowell, who helped Johnson make those strides last season, should be beneficial. A hard-thrower (94.3 mph AFV in 2015) who does not rack up at a high rate (6.8 K/9 in 2015 – 6.2 K/9 career), Johnson relies on a heavy sinker to put away hitters. That pitch was flat and very hittable in 2014, when he went from a closer who recorded 50 saves in consecutive seasons, to one that lost his role and finished with a 7.09 ERA and 5.9 BB/9. His work with McDowell helped turn his sinker back into a reliable out-pitch, something the Braves would like to see plenty of in 2016. Shae Simmons | RHP | Age: 25 | Contract Status: Pre-arbitration

Atlanta is hoping Shae Simmons can make an impact in the bullpen after losing him to Tommy John surgery last February. The young right-hander impressed the team with a solid rookie campaign in 2014, when he turned in a 2.91 ERA (3.13 FIP) in 26 appearances and drew comparisons to Craig Kimbrel. That may have been an unfair tag to throw on Simmons, but when your fastball sits in the mid-90s and is coupled with an excellent slider, these things happen. Those weapons helped him climb the ladder quickly after being selected by Atlanta in the 20th round of the 2012 out of Southeast Missouri State University.

Simmons blitzed through the minors as a dominant closer. He turned in a 1.76 ERA and 13.1 K/9 in 102 IP while saving 40 games in 88 appearances. Once in Atlanta, Simmons was immediately thrust into pressure situations and seemed to excel in the role of set-up man. He averaged 9.6 K/9 and held opponents to a .197 BAA in 21.2 IP while picking up nine holds in 2014. Simmons’ rookie year ended when he was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder strain on July 29. That injury lingered through the rest of season, including an unsuccessful rehab assignment with Gwinnett in mid- August. The good news for Simmons and the Braves is that he has not dealt with any shoulder flare-ups during his rehab from elbow surgery. A full year removed from his Tommy John procedure, Simmons should have a chance to be ready by opening day, though Atlanta will undoubtedly take a cautious approach.

Chris Withrow | RHP | Age: 26 | Contract Status: 1-year, $610,000

The Braves have taken quite a few risks on injured pitchers, all in hopes that their investment will pay off with good results. Chris Withrow is one of those arms. The hard-throwing right-hander was acquired in a six-player trade with the Dodgers last May. Though the Braves were hoping to see him on the mound in 2015, his recovery from Tommy John surgery was complicated by back surgery to repair a herniated disk. Those two things conspired to keep him out of action last season.

A first round pick (20th overall) by Los Angeles in 2007, baseball has been something of a family affair for Withrow. His father, Mike, spent three seasons pitching in the White Sox organization back in the early 80s. Just this past June, the Braves drafted his younger brother, Matt, in the sixth round (180th overall). The elder Withrow transitioned to the bullpen in 2012, utilizing a fastball that can touch 98 mph to go with a sharp slider. Averaging 5.0 BB/9, command has always been an issue for him, dating back to his minor league days. That said, he averaged 11.4 K/9 and a 2.73 ERA (3.65 FIP) in 56 IP for the Dodgers. Withrow boasted a solid 1.08 WHIP with L.A. because he is extremely hard to hit. Opponents have mustered a meager .157/.277/.267 slash line with just nine XBH in 224 PA. That is the kind of arm that could come in handy as the Braves try to get leads through the middle innings and into the late frames. If Withrow is healthy and pitches like he did for Los Angeles, then Atlanta will have yet another weapon to shorten the game.

Ian Krol | LHP | Age: 24 | Contract Status: Pre-arbitration

The Braves lacked reliable lefty relievers in 2015, just one of the numerous inadequacies which seemed to be on display on a nightly basis last summer. With limited in-house candidates, the Braves acquired southpaw Ian Krol from the Detroit Tigers in the Cameron Maybin trade. Krol has moved around quite a bit in his seven-year career. Originally drafted by the Oakland Athletics, then traded to the Nationals in 2013. He pitched briefly for Washington that season, turning in a 3.95 ERA (4.69 FIP) in 27.1 IP over 32 appearances. Krol was then dealt to the Tigers in the Doug Fister trade, and has spent parts of the last two seasons working out of the Detroit pen.

Krol crept into the A’s Top 10 prospects in 2011, but a forearm injury and a team-mandated suspension for using a homophobic slur on Twitter wiped out that season. Krol told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he had learned from his off-field mistake(s) and was committed to returning to form, but his 2012 was highly unsuccessful (2-9, 5.20 ERA) and saw him transition from the rotation to the bullpen. Since then, he has pitched well enough to see time in the majors with both the Nationals and Tigers, to the tune of a 4.91 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 88 IP over 110 career appearances. Krol works in the low 90s and features an inconsistent breaking ball, something Roger McDowellwill certainly look to tighten up. Like many of Atlanta’s southpaw relievers the past two seasons, Krol is a reverse split guy as well. He allowed left-hand hitters to sport a .326/.442/.442 slash line (53 PA) in 2015. Krol will have to improve his success in his primary function in order to be of value this season. If he can’t, Atlanta will continue its search for a reliable lefty reliever.

Matt Marksberry | LHP | Age: 25 | Contract Status: Pre-arbitration

Speaking of left-handers getting an opportunity, Matt Marksberry will be given a chance to prove what he can do this spring. Thrust out of the proverbial frying pan and into the fire as Atlanta’s bullpen woes reached critical mass in the second half, Marskberry took his lumps but seemed to be putting it together in the final three weeks of the season. While his 5.02 ERA (4.63 FIP) in 31 appearances is not awe-inspiring, Marksberry received plenty of praise for his professional demeanor and work ethic. And why not? He had a 2015 to remember.

Beginning his trek to the big leagues last season in Single-A with the Carolina Mudcats, Marksberry was a passenger on the team’s bus when it crashed in mid-May, rolling over and injuring several of his teammates. He bypassed Double-A and shot straight up to Gwinnett in late June and was called up to Atlanta in late July. Serving as the primary lefty specialist in September, Marksberry allowed just one earned run and held opponents to a .182 BAA in his final 13 appearances. It’s a small sample size, but his work on the whole against left-hand hitters last season was solid – .170/.267/.264 in 60 PA. Those are some encouraging numbers as he looks to carve a niche in the Atlanta bullpen in 2016. However, he’ll need to cut down his walks (6.2 BB/9 last season) if he wants to enjoy sustained success at the big league level.

Andrew McKirahan | LHP | Age: 25 | Contract Status: Pre-arbitration

Acquired from the Marlins after being selected from the Cubs in the Rule 5 draft last winter, Andrew McKirahan seemed poised to contribute before being handed a suspension for PED-use (Ipamorelin) just two weeks into the season. Once he returned, the results weren’t exactly pretty. He enjoyed a handful of effective appearances before going on a month-long stretch (August 3 – September 3) during which he turned in a 9.49 ERA in 12.1 IP as opponents batted .390/.471/.542 in 68 PA. Overall, he finished the season with a 5.93 ERA (3.79 FIP) and 1.82 WHIP in 27.1 IP. McKirahan dealt with Tommy John surgery in 2012 then returned to post a decent season in the between High-A and Double-A in the Cubs chain two years later. That earned him a Rule 5 selection by Marlins, who ultimately placed him on waivers and opened the door for a desperate Atlanta team to claim him. Given the lack of lefty options, McKirahan will have another opportunity this spring.

Danny Burawa | RHP | Age: 27 | Contract Status: Pre-arbitration

Another former Yankees farmhand – which is a running theme given several high-ranking Atlanta executives have spent time in the Bronx –Danny Burawa got a shot last season as the Braves looked high and low and everywhere in between for capable relievers. He made his big league debut in 2o15 with the Yankees, but landed on waivers after allowing four earned runs in just two thirds of an inning. He put together a strong season, mostly at Triple-A (2.64 ERA in 39 appearances) and found his way into 12 games for Atlanta, in which he posted a 3.65 ERA (3.78 FIP) in 12.1 IP. Aside from his mid-90s fastball, Burawa’s secondary pitches – a splitter and a slider – have been shaky at times. While last season represented a big step forward, he will have to continue that trend in order to remain in the mix and on the staff in 2016.

Daniel Winkler | RHP | Age: 26 | Contract Status: Pre-arbitration

While Daniel Winkler has been a starting pitcher throughout his young career, he finds himself in a unique position in 2016. When Atlanta selected him from the Colorado Rockies during the Rule 5 draft in December of 2014, Winkler was already on the mend from Tommy John surgery the previous June. Prior to his injury, he was leading the minors with a 1.41 ERA – this just one season after leading the minors with 175 strikeouts in 2013. Given that he was going to spend a significant portion of 2015 on the disabled list, the standard Rule 5 parameters (a Rule 5 draftee must spend the entire season on the major league roster) were augmented. Winkler must instead accumulate 90 days of service time, which began with a brief cameo in September, or he will have to be offered back to Colorado. Winkler made his major league debut with a pair of appearances out of the bullpen, where he is likely to stay unless or until Atlanta is able to option him back to the minors. With an unorthodox delivery that causes problems for righty and lefty hitters alike, he has enjoyed success despite less than overpowering stuff. Winkler was an interesting flyer when the Braves drafted him, but he is well down Atlanta’s list of arms given his current circumstances. Still, he is an intriguing story line to follow this spring.

Jose Ramirez | RHP | Age: 25 | Contract Status: Pre-arbitration

Here we have yet another former Yankees farmhand imported this winter.Jose Ramirez was dealt from the Yankees to the Mariners in a trade deadline deal that sent Dustin Ackley to New York. Along with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and can hit 98 mph, Ramirez features an excellent changeup and a slider. He was rated the Yankees No. 13 prospect by Baseball America heading into 2014, when he made his major league debut. Ramirez was on the list again last season at No. 26. The major league results aren’t anything special thus far – an 8.66 ERA in 17.2 IP with 17 BB and 15 K. An assortment of injuries, though none requiring major surgery, have conspired against him. Atlanta plucked Ramirez away from Seattle in an early December trade. While he comes with exciting potential, a track record of command issues and injuries have kept him from cashing in thus far. The Braves have gone to great lengths to bring in plenty of candidates with upside to compete for jobs in the bullpen this season. Ramirez is out of options, so he may get a longer look. If he finds a way to put it all together, Atlanta could be very happy with the results.

Evan Rutckyj | LHP | Age: 23 | Contract Status: Pre-arbitration

This left-hander represents the best of both worlds. Evan Rutckyj is not only another Rule 5 pick seeking a place in the Braves bullpen, but he was also selected from the Yankees. Given Atlanta’s propensity for taking a shot on lesser-known New York prospects and the team’s need for as many lefty options as possible, Rutckyj will get a fair shot to make the 25-man roster. He took a major step forward in his development during his second season pitching in relief. Rutckyj split 2015 between High-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton, finishing with a 2.63 ERA while posting 12.0 K/9 and 3.9 K/BB in 61.2 IP. A lanky lefty at 6-5, 213 pounds, he has a fastball that sits in the low-90s and pairs it with an improving slider. Worth monitoring with every Braves lefty in recent years is his ability to neutralize left-handed hitters. Rutckyj did a fair job in two minor league stops, limiting them to a .231/.329/.323 line in 76 PA last season. Given that he has just 11 appearances above A-ball, Rutckyj will be put the test if he is to remain in Atlanta in 2016.

Paco Rodriguez | LHP | Age: 24 | Contract Status: Pre-arbitration

Lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery, Paco Rodriguez will be a non-factor this year, but could stand to be a nice arm in the future. This was not originally supposed to be one of the risk/reward arms that Atlanta has been stockpiling over the past two years. However, Rodriguez was forced to go under the knife just before the end of last season. He was a quality lefty for the Dodgers, posting a 2.53 ERA and 9.6 K/9 in 85.1 IP prior to the trade and subsequent injury. Atlanta will monitor his progress and hope he can be ready for 2017.

Also of note:

RHP Mauricio Cabrera is on the 40-man and thus will get a look this spring as well. He will be profiled in the upcoming Prospect Preview on Feb 8th.

Non-Roster Invitees

The Braves have a handful of veterans and young arms also vying for spots in the bullpen, chief among them is RHP David Carpenter. Yes, that David Carpenter – Version 1.0. Carpenter, 30, was dealt to the Yankees last winter and split the 2015 season between New York and the Washington Nationals. He made just 30 appearances (4.01 ERA and 5.5 K/9 in 24.2 IP) thanks to shoulder issues that impacted his season. Carpenter was at his best with the Braves from 2013-2014, turning in 2.63 ERA with 10.0 K/9 in 126.2 IP across 121 appearances. He will have to prove himself both healthy and effective to earn a spot this spring.

RHP Alexi Ogando will try to recapture the form that made him an all-star with the Rangers in 2011. The hard-throwing righty has put together a decent career in Texas between the rotation and the bullpen – 3.44 career ERA in 471.1 IP over 247 games. Now 32 years old, Ogando is coming off a 3.99 ERA (5.32 FIP) season in 64 relief appearances for the Red Sox in 2015. Once one of the most electric arms in the game, shoulder injuries derailed his career in 2013. However, Ogando’s fastball velocity (94.4 mph AFV) last year was the highest it’s been since 2012. That said, both his walk (3.9 BB/9) and hit rates (8.1 H/9) were above career norms, while his home run rate (1.7 HR/9) was the highest it’s ever been.

RHP Ryan Kelly is a journeyman reliever who got a shot in the Braves bullpen last season. He made his big league debut after nine seasons in the minors and was greeted somewhat rudely. Kelly, 28, turned in a 7.02 ERA in 17 appearances. His success in both Mississippi and Gwinnett – 0.77 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and just 4.8 H/9 in 47 IP to go with 23 saves in 41 appearances – earned him a call-up, but he has much to prove if he wants to make it back to Atlanta in 2016.

LHP Hunter Cervenka, 26, went to big league spring training with the Cubs last season, but found himself pitching in independent ball by mid- summer. The Braves signed him on July 7 and he proceeded to pitch well at two levels (0.00 ERA in 20.2 IP with 9 BB and 33 K in Mississippi and Gwinnett) to earn an invite to spring training this season. Cervenka has demonstrated the ability to retire lefty hitters, but control problems have hindered him throughout his career (6.0 BB/9 in 380.2 IP). Given the lack of viable lefty options that Atlanta has dealt with in recent years, the team will explore all options.

RHP Madison Younginer, 25, is a long-time Red Sox farmhand who has made just two appearances above Double-A. With a 4.69 ERA in 370.2 IP over six seasons, Younginer may have finally been turning the corner last season. He cut down the baserunners and posted personal bests across the board – 3.05 ERA and 1.18 WHIP among them in 77.1 IP. The Red Sox always liked Younginer’s arm, which fires a fastball that can stick in the mid-90s, but his secondary pitches and command were both a career-long work in progress. Though he may be a long shot to make the big club, Younginer could put himself on the map with some good work in the spring and a strong showing with Gwinnett.

Associated Press

Braves' Freeman says ailing right wrist is finally pain-free

By CHARLES ODUM (AP Sports Writer)

ATLANTA (AP) -- Freddie Freeman's slow-healing right wrist finally is pain-free, allowing the Braves first baseman to take swings on back-to-back days this week for the first time this offseason.

Freeman said at the Braves' FanFest on Saturday the wrist never fully recovered last season after he spent five weeks on the disabled list in June and July. He said a turning point came when he had an injection in the wrist on Dec. 20.

''It was a tough offseason, the first couple months to try to get healthy, but I am 100 percent healthy now,'' Freeman said.

He said taking swings two straights days was a big step.

''Everything felt good, so I am on the right path to being 100 percent ready to go, full bore, for the first day of spring training,'' Freeman said.

''It took seven months for all the pain to go away,'' he added. ''I'm really happy it did.''

The Braves called the injury a contusion. Freeman also spent two weeks on the DL with a right oblique injury, only adding to his frustrations.

Freeman being healthy is crucial for the rebuilding Braves, who have too few established bats in the middle of their lineup. He says he hit off the tee and hit underhand tosses without pain this week.

''He's kind of graduating to batting practice, but he's got a big smile on his face,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ''He feels great.''

Freeman is Atlanta's only remaining starting position player from its last NL East champion team in 2013. He hit a career-best .319 with 23 homers and 109 RBIs on that team that won 96 games.

The Braves fell to fourth in the East in 2015, four games above last-place Philadelphia. The Braves' commitment to youth continued with more dramatic moves this offseason. The team traded Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons and right-hander Shelby Miller. This came after Atlanta unloaded Justin Upton, Jason Heyward, Evan Gattis and Melvin Upton before the 2015 season.

The underpowered Atlanta offense finished last in the majors in homers as the Braves won only 67 games, their low since 1990.

General manager John Coppolella has said Freeman, 26, won't be traded. Despite the injuries, Freeman hit .276 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs last season. He was limited to 118 games, his low since making his debut with Atlanta in 2010.

Gonzalez is counting on improved production from Hector Olivera, the Cuban who is moving from third base to left field for his first full season. Gonzalez said center fielder Ender Inciarte, obtained from Arizona as part of the package for Miller, can help the offense as a true leadoff hitter.

Gonzalez said Inciarte, shortstop Erick Aybar and Freeman could be his first three hitters. ''Not that I've been making lineups, right?'' Gonzalez said with a grin.

The plan is to rebuild around pitching, but it's not known how fast such prospects as Tyrell Jenkins, Sean Newcomb and Aaron Blair will be ready to join Julio Teheran and 2015 rookie Matt Wisler in the rotation. Veteran right-hander Bud Norris signed a one-year deal as a free agent to help provide a bridge to the group of young starters that also includes Lucas Sims, Chris Ellis and John Gant.

''We have five or six starting pitchers who are really close,'' Coppolella said.

In a surprise, Coppolella said the Braves ''were in on'' the bidding for free-agent outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton. He said the team has ''a lot of room'' in its budget to add a player.

''We just haven't found good values,'' Coppolella said.

Freeman, entering the third year of an 8-year, $135 million deal, said he is ''really excited'' about the team's direction.

''When I came up with the Braves we were winning and either in the playoffs or a game away every year,'' he said. ''Then in 2014 we started going in the wrong direction. That's going to make coming back up even sweeter.''