NewsAFL a showcase for rising star Heyward
Outfielder among Braves prospects in action in Arizona
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
10/19/09 2:02 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA -- When Tommy Hanson began competing in the Arizona Fall League last year, he was a highly-regarded prospect who provided the Braves hope for the future.Six dominant weeks later, Hanson was widely established as one of the game's top right-handed pitching prospects.
When this year's AFL began last week, the most highly-regarded prospect competing was once again a member of the Braves organization. The only difference is that the baseball world is already well aware of the tremendous talents possessed by Jason Heyward.
"He's done well with everything that he's done," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He's on the fast track, let's put it that way."
That fast track that Cox references is the one that is carrying Heyward toward his dream of playing in the Majors.
Heyward, who was named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year in September, has registered fewer than 200 at-bats above the Class A level.
While this seemingly lessens the odds of the 20-year-old outfielder beginning the 2010 season in Atlanta, Braves general manager Frank Wren indicated that the club will continue to keep an open mind while watching Heyward compete in the AFL and Spring Training.
"I think it's premature to have any mindset about Jason," Wren said. "We know that he's an outstanding young talent. We just want him to go play in Arizona and get as much experience as possible. We'll see where that takes him."
After his successful run through the AFL last year, Hanson spent the first two months of this past season with Triple-A Gwinnett and then made his much-anticipated Major League debut in June. Heyward will likely have at least the opportunity to travel a similar path heading into 2010.
Heyward has been joined by six other Braves prospects for this year's Arizona Fall League action. Each of these players is playing for the Peoria Seguaros.
Below is a description of the other six prospects who are playing with Heyward in Arizona:
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Like Heyward, Freeman gained notice while participating in his first Major League Spring Training this year. The 20-year-old first baseman proved productive with Class A Myrtle Beach and then struggled down the stretch with Double-A Mississippi. The .161 batting average he produced in August may have been a product of a badly bruised left hand.
"I know he tailed off at the end," Cox said. "But he is a hitter and he's got really good hands at first [base]."
Craig Kimbrell, RHP
Kimbrell is a hard-throwing right-handed reliever who may have the stuff to serve as a closer at the Major League level. The 21-year-old hurler experienced some control problems while issuing 45 walks in 60 innings this year. But the 103 strikeouts he registered during this span indicate that he has the stuff to be something special.
Mike Minor, LHP
The Braves were somewhat criticized when they took Minor with the seventh overall selection in this year's First-Year Player Draft. But the criticism waned as the 21-year-old left-hander posted a 0.64 ERA in the 14 innings with Class A Rome.
"I've talked to some other people outside our organization and he was high on their charts and maybe the closest thing to pitching in the big leagues," Cox said. "I hear really good stuff about him."
Brandon Hicks, SS
Count Wren among the many who believe that, from a defensive perspective, Hicks is Major-League ready. The knock against the 24-year-old shortstop stems from the fact he strikes out too often. In 128 games with Mississippi this year, he hit .237 with 10 homers and 131 strikeouts.
"He's made tremendous progress," Wren said. He played a tremendous shortstop when I saw him. During the final two months of the season, he made pretty good progress with his bat as well."
Jeff Lyman, RHP
Lyman, who was selected in the second round of the 2005 Draft, has struggled with his control throughout his professional career. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-hander registered 76 strikeouts and issued 43 walks in 86 2/3 innings with Double-A Mississippi this year.
Lee Hyde, LHP
Hyde, who has battled injuries throughout his professional career, went 5-2 with a 2.27 ERA in 26 appearances at three different Minor League levels this year. The 24-year-old southpaw registered 28 strikeouts and issued nine walks in his 22 1/3 innings with Class A-Advanced Myrtle Beach.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
