Come on Tommy, we need you to be good. Please God don't be a disappointment like Reyes and Morton.Brent Lillibridge (2B/SS) - AAA
You'll hear me shouting from the rooftops to trade Kelly Johnson this offseason, and I think Brent needs to be the starter next season. His .209 BA is low, but I think he's more of the .300 guy from the past few seasons, and in the majors, I expect it to be more around the .270-.280 range. Also, he adds speed with his 21 SB in 27 tries. Might as well find out if he's the guy by playing him in September.
Josh Anderson (CF) - AAA
Gregor Blanco has been impressive this season, but it's time to see if Josh Anderson could be better. Anderson's the better hitter and base stealer, and he has more pop. Blanco is quite a bit more patient at the plate. Both are very good defensively. I say trade Blanco before someone realizes they should throw him more inside fastballs. Play Anderson to see if he's got it at the major league level.
Jorge Julio (RP) - AAA
Never able to stick in the majors, Julio's big fastball always gets him another shot. Might as well give him another one. Now, can he command that fastball? That's always been the big question.
Kala Ka'aihue (1B) - AA
Tired of Kotchman not hitting for power? Ka'aihue is a bug guy with big power although his 13 HR may not fully indicate that. However, he's hit better this season, making adjustments from a bad ending to last season. He still strikes out a lot, but his power-potential makes him appealing.
Jordan Schafer (CF) - AA
Another center fielder, Schafer had to spend 50 games on the bench after being suspended for PED's. While his initial return didn't yield much, he's been much better of late, and his 9 HR in 74 games is fairly appealing. Again, might as well see for next season. He might be better than Anderson and Blanco while also being about four years younger.
Tommy Hanson (SP) - AA
By far the most intriguing arm in the Braves system, Hanson has progressed very far and is excelling in Mississippi with a 3.27 ERA and 99 K in 88 IP. He could be the answer in the rotation, and a few starts in September could make him an early favorite for spot 5 in March 2009.
Todd Redmond (SP) - AA
You might remember him as the guy the Pirates traded for Tyler Yates. What did he do in AA? He has gone 12-5 with a 3.54 ERA, and his K/BB rate is almost 6:1. Again, he might be an interesting thought for next year's rotation. Imagine a young rotation with Jair at 23, Hanson at 22, and Redmond at 23. Too bad they have to succeed to make it a good, young rotation.
Stephen Marek (RP) - AA
He's the second guy in the Teixeira trade, and he's done well in Mississippi. For the year, he has 67 K in 58 IP, but he has walked 26. Still, he's kind of old for the level, but he could be an interesting guy in the bullpen.
Luis Valdez (RP) - AA
An intrigguing young arm at age 24, Valdez has excelled in AA with a 2.92 ERA and 73 K in 61.2 IP. Bring him up and see if he can do that to major leaguers.
James Parr (RP) - AAA
He's done fairly well in Richmond with 36 K in 44.2 IP and a 3.83 ERA. He might be interesting, and at the very least, he'll save other arms in the bullpen.
Jason Perry (OF) - AAA
He's got 8 HR in 57 games, but the problem is his age (27). He's not getting younger, so bring him up to see how he handles the pressure. Could he be the next Ludwick? Okay, probably not.
Of all these, pay special attention to Lillibridge, Anderson, Schafer, Hanson, Redmond, Marek, and Valdez. All of them probably won't be brought up (mainly the AA guys), but watch how they finish and if they get invited to Spring Training.
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