Atlanta Braves 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 first baseman 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 Tom Glavine 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 baseball 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 1995 World Series -- 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 pitcher 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 fastball 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.