In 2009, the Braves thought they had their center fielder of the future in the 22-year-old Jordan Schafer. He hit a home run in his first at bat against the Philidelphia Phillies and the future seemed bright, but then something happened. From an onlookers perspective, it looked like he wanted to hit everything out of the ballpark, which led to an uppercut in his swing. That uppercut eventually led to Jordan Schafer’s demise, as he was sent down after striking out in 37% of his at bats.

Schafer was sent down and promptly got injured to end his 2009 campaign. In 2010, Jason Heywad got all the headlines from the Braves outfield, while Jordan Schafer got slapped with a 50-game penalty for using a banned substance. When Schafer returned to play, he struggled to hit above the Mendoza Line (.201) for the Gwinnett Braves. Schafer was once one of the brightest stars in the game, but had absolutely fizzled out in 2010 to a point where many wondered if he would play again.

In 2011, he showed up to the Braves camp and took notes from Chipper Jones (who better?) about what he needed to do to stick in the big leagues. Nate McLouth had struggled mightily since joining the Braves in 2009, so Schafer had an opportunity to get some playing time in centerfield, Schafer had always been a strong defender, he just needed to learn how to use his bat. Chipper told him to use his speed and not worry about hitting the ball out of the ballpark. Schafer went down to Gwinnett and tried to put it to use. He hit .256, but made definite improvements on his strikeout rate, but at the expense of his walk rate. Due to Nate McLouth’s poor performance and injury, Schafer was called up to the big league team.

Schafer struggled at making consistent contact with the Braves and Astros (he was traded for Michael Bourn) in 2010, but was able to help both clubs. He was still striking out at a large rate (21%). I always thought that if Schafer could control his strikeouts and coax some more walks, then he would be an average MLB player.

Unfortunately for the Astros, he never did that with the team. In 2012 his line was .211/.297/.294 with a strikeout rate of 30%. The Astros didn’t see any reason for keeping Schafer, and the released him on waivers, where the Braves picked him up.

Something happened to Schafer in spring training; something that has translated into him having a great first month-and-a-half of the season. Currently, he sports a .298/.431/.468 slash line, with a high strikeout rate of 27%, but a great walk rate of 19%. Granted, his BABIP is at .394 (8% higher than his career norm), so expect some regression from that standpoint. His walk rate is what has been so impressive. At the leadoff position, he is seeing pitches and giving his team a chance to see the pitchers’ repertoire and is sometimes coaxing out a walk.

I don’t expect Jordan Schafer to be an all star at the major league level, but I do think he will make for a great 4th outfielder, who could start for some teams. He will regress, but he will be a valuable player with his bat and defense, despite the regression that is bound to happen.

Braves sign Barnstormers’ Tiffee.

It’s not often that I post minor league transactions here, but this is too close to home not to. I starting following Terry Tiffee’s career when my sister’s boyfriend (now husband) told us his lifelong friend was a September call up for the Minnesota Twins. What I saw in his first at bat was every kid’s backyard dream- Tiffee homered in his first major league at bat! The rest of his career has not been as dreamy as that first appearance for Terry or his wife Kelly, so there is not much in the world of baseball that would make me happier than being able to see him in a Braves uniform at Turner Field. Good luck Tiffee. I can’t wait for you to make the short trip down I-85!

Okay people, you have proven you cannot be trusted. I leave you with the big boys for a week, and I come back to an eight game losing streak. It is perfectly fine, I was not at all busting it working SEC baseball or anything. It is possible that sleep is overrated and leaving the city will never be necessary. On second thought, you guys just need to learn how to handle these boys!

Was it so hard to get Freddy Freeman his Oakley’s? Can nobody deal with FedEx? What took so long? Again, not to worry, the goggles are here, and obviously did the trick with a first at bat home run by Freeman. Granted, it was solo because Brian McCann, who needed me to bring him an IV bag after suffering from the flu, hit a two run homer. Which reminds me, all you who said “it’s just the flu,” have never had the flu. Here’s a hint, when you call in to work with a 24-hour stomach flu, you have misdiagnosed yourself. That is merely a hangover, and while you may feel as if you may die, you will not if you make it long enough to feel that bad. The flu is a different story. They have a shot for a reason! » Continue reading “MUST I DO EVERYTHING AROUND HERE? BRAVES START NEW STREAK…AFTER I GET BACK IN TOWN”

Jair Jurrjens Sent Back to Triple A

Jair Jurrjens was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, only an hour after the Braves’ 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jurrjens (0-2) gave up nine hits and five earned runs and left without recording an out in the fourth inning.

This was the first time in 42 starts since April 29, 2010 against St. Louis where Jurrjens failed to record a strikeout due to a strained left hamstring.

Braves general manager Frank Wren said in a text message after the announcement, ““We optioned Jair tonight to give him a chance to work through his difficulties at the Triple-A level and hopefully come back ready to help us contend.”

Jurrjens is 0-2 with a 9.37 ERA in four starts. Last year he led the Braves with 13 wins despite two trips to the disabled list and pitched in his first All-Star game. Since the 2011 All-Star break, Jurrjens has lasted five innings or fewer in six starts including all four this season and has allowed 44 earned runs and 79 hits in 57-2/3 innings. » Continue reading “Braves: JJ to Triple A”

Braves fans can breathe easier as Atlanta made move this morning that many in the baseball world saw coming, at least part of it.  Atlanta traded Jordan Schafer and pitchers Juan Abreu, Paul Clemens and Brett Oberholtzer for Houston Astros Michael Bourn.  Noticeably missing in this trade are the names Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, and Randall Delgado.  Frank Wren was able to pull off a trade that gives Atlanta their first true lead off hitter since Rafael Furcal without dealing top prospects.  The trade is bittersweet for the Schafer, who is currently on the DL with a fractured finger, and the Braves locker room.

“I thank the Braves for sticking by me the entire time,” Schafer said while packing up his locker. “With everything I’ve been through, they’ve been great to me. It’s a business. They have to do what’s best for the team. They have to what’s best to try to win a World Series this year.”

“It sucks, truthfully. I was comfortable here. At the same time I’m excited to go there. Any time you get traded the team obviously wants you. I’m excited to go over there and start fresh and try to start winning.” » Continue reading “Are You Happy Now?”