For those who miss Bourn, can you name the Giants' leadoff hitter?
ZiPS projections are out
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/2013-zips-projections-atlanta-braves/
Projections for the outfield
Heyward: .265/.341/.472, 24 HR
BJUpton: .251/.322/.455, 25 HR, 34 SB
JUpton: .263/.348/.442, 22 HR
ZiPS projections are out
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/2013-zips-projections-atlanta-braves/
Projections for the outfield
Heyward: .265/.341/.472, 24 HR
BJUpton: .251/.322/.455, 25 HR, 34 SB
JUpton: .263/.348/.442, 22 HR
ZiPS projections are out
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/2013-zips-projections-atlanta-braves/
Projections for the outfield
Heyward: .265/.341/.472, 24 HR
BJUpton: .251/.322/.455, 25 HR, 34 SB
JUpton: .263/.348/.442, 22 HR
I like metrics as much as the next guy, but there are certainly some intangibles in play. You could easily argue (I would), that neither Upton has even reached his prime and we should expect an uptick in hitting from them. Maturity at the plate certainly takes years to develop, even with such a high talent level. Also, one would expect them to flourish playing with each other, since well, you know, they are brothers.
"Schafer is probably having a tough time with his travel," Gonzalez said jokingly. "He's another one I'm going to grab. He only lives two exits up the road and I haven't seen him yet. But maybe he has a five-year deal with [general manager] Frank [Wren] that guarantees he will play center. Frank hasn't told me that Schafer has signed for five years and is guaranteed to get one of the three outfield spots."
When Pastornicky was the odds-on favorite to begin the 2012 season as Atlanta's starting shortstop, he arrived the day the Braves were staging their first full-squad workout. In his defense, he had spent the days leading up to camp working out with Jack Wilson in California.
But Gonzalez certainly has not overlooked the fact this is the second straight year Pastornicky has not been among the team's early arrivals. Pastornicky lives about two hours from the Braves' Spring Training complex.
"I think Pastornicky is going to hold out again this year," Gonzalez said. "I want to see what his excuse is."