re: The ATL Thread: All-Star Break Edition

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6. Carlos Perez, LHP
Perez was absolutely filthy last year for Danville, earning him a quick promotion to Rome, where he was equally filthy, but a stress fracture in his non-throwing shoulder ended his season in July. He came back to Rome this year, and while his first full season had been marked by inconsistency, he's still shown the potential that makes him a top prospect. His fastball works in the mid 90s with a ton of movement and his secondary pitches are developing nicely, especially his 12-to-6 curveball. Perez is incredibly skinny, and the Braves have been working to add some bulk to his frame, which will help with his durability and add some oomph to his pitches. The rest of this season is about learning how to work through the rigors of a full season schedule, before he moves up to Lynchburg next year where he should be able to fully realize his potential.

7. Brett Oberholtzer, LHP
The best word to describe Oberholtzer is "bulldog". The strong-bodied lefty attacks hitters with an average low 90s fastball and a slightly above average curveball and changeup. There isn't a ton of flash to his game, but he consistently makes good pitches and hits his spots. He was a Southern League All-Star this year, though he's worn down a little as the season has gone on. He'll spend the rest of the season with Mississippi and likely be invited to Major League Spring Training before being sent to AAA, where he'll refine his game against the International League's veteran hitters.


8. Matt Lipka, SS
After the Braves made him their first selection in the 2010 draft, Lipka had a fantastic debut in the Gulf Coast League, getting on base day after day and creating havoc on the basepaths, indicating that he could be the kind of leadoff hitter the team envisioned when they picked him. This season, however, has been almost the opposite, as he's struggled to make consistent contact all year and has shown little ability to drive the ball. Even when he's been on the basepaths he's been less successful than an effective basestealer should be. Lipka tends to be a front foot slap hitter, which has allowed professional pitchers to take advantage of his agressiveness. As he moves up, he'll need to learn to stay back and drive the ball more, even if it still leads to bloop hits over the infielders' heads. Defensively, he's adequate at shortstop, though neither his arm or body type seem quite suited to the position. A move to second base or even center field, where his plus speed would be a real asset, seems likely. He'll look to see if he can't salvage this season with a strong end of the year, though either way he'll likely return to Rome to start 2012.
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9. Tyler Pastornicky, SS
The Braves might have known something about Pastornicky the Blue Jays didn't when they acquired him last year as part of the Yunel Escobar-Alex Gonzalez trade. They immediately sent him to AA, as a 20 year old, and he excelled, and he's done even better after returning to the level this year. His biggest positive as a hitter is self-awareness, he doesn't try to work outside of his game, focusing instead on making solid contact and using his speed to his advantage. If he reaches his potential he's an ideal traditional two-hole hitter. Defensively he's solid at shortstop but doesn't quite have the arm or range to be a plus defender. However, he's well above average at second base, where his entire skill set is a huge plus. Expect him to see time with Gwinnett in the second half of the year and possibly compete for Atlanta's starting shortstop position in 2012.

10. Paul Clemens, RHP
He has already thrown as many innings this season as he did last year, and the wear could be starting to show, as his ERA has ballooned in the past month. The Braves weren't sure whether Clemens was a starter or a reliever last year, and bounced him between roles. He's started exclusively this year, and was one of the more successful and unhittable pitchers in the system earlier in the season, but that trend has reversed itself with Clemens getting lit up in several starts. He is still a quality prospect, but we'll have to see how he handles the innings load this year as to whether he will ultimately wind up in the pen or in the rotation.

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1. Julio Teheran, RHP
2. Randall Delgado, RHP
3. Arodys Vizcaino, RHP
4. Edward Salcedo, 3B
5. Christian Bethancourt, C
6. Carlos Perez, LHP
7. Brett Oberholtzer, LHP
8. Matt Lipka, SS
9. Tyler Pastornicky, SS
10. Paul Clemens, RHP
11. J.J. Hoover, RHP
12. Zeke Spruill, RHP
13. Cory Gearrin, RHP
14. Mycal Jones, CF
15. Andrelton Simmons, SS
16. Adam Milligan, OF
17. Joe Terdoslavich, 1B/OF
18. Dimasther Delgado, LHP
19. Brandon Drury, 3B
20. Andy Otero, LHP
21. Todd Cunningham, CF
22. Billy Bullock, RHP
23. Juan Abreu, RHP
24. J.R. Graham, RHP
25. David Rohm, OF

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Chip said he's felt fine for a few days now and could come off the DL as soon as he is eligible

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#Braves not actively shopping Derek Lowe, scouts say, but are "willing to listen.'' Presence of Teheran & Minor gives them pitching depth

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If #Braves could move some of Lowe's salary, it would help their pursuit of an impact bat like Carlos Beltran or Hunter Pence

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