Just when you think the Atlanta Braves are going to sink to the depths most predicted in March they do something like sweep the first-place New York Mets.
The team had not won a series in a month. Rookie pitcher Mike Foltynewicz was sent down after three awful starts. Julio Teheran, the unquestioned ace starting the season, was sporting an ERA over five. Freddie Freeman was sitting with a wrist issue and that bullpen...well, you know.
So there was every sign the Braves were heading south. Then Williams Perez, just-called-up rookie Matt Wisler (the gem of the Kimbrel trade) and Teheran out-pitch the Mets' big three of Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey and here we are a half-game behind the Mets for second and two behind the Nats in first.
What's gone right?
- For the most part the young kids have made the difference. It's not just the talent infusion, either. Instead of the dead dugout of the past two years the young guys are energetic, constantly rooting for their teammates. Say what you want for professional athletes, but there's still a little kid in each of them and sometimes it takes a catalyst to bring that kid out.
This team cares, both about each other and the effort it puts out for the fans every game. This cannot be overstated. Just think back to a year ago and how often the Braves seemed to sleep walk through games. These young guys, paired with high-energy vets Jonny Gomes and A.J. Pierzynksi, won't allow it this year.
Atlanta Braves' Jace Peterson bats in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 16, 2015, in Miami. The Braves defeated the Marlins 5-3.- The top of the order is making things happen. Oh what a black hole batters one and two were the past couple of seasons for the Braves. Jace Peterson and the rejuvenated Cameron Maybin have taken care of that.
The scouting reports on Peterson when the Braves acquired him as part of the Justin Upton deal were consistent. He was an above-average athlete with good speed who played hard. They also said his ceiling was likely as a utility player.
He's now a dangerous leadoff hitter who can both ambush a first pitch of the game for a double or work a tired pitcher into a 10-pitch at-bat. His defense is good, and will get better as he learns some of the tricks of playing second, and he'll become a better base stealer as he learns pitchers.
Maybin is, however, the biggest suprise. Have to admit there was zero excitement when he also came over in the Upton deal (once again, thanks Padres). He's always been like the 6-6, 275-pound guy who's first off the football team bus only because he looks the part.
Maybin has always teased with his skills, but .220-hitting outfielders just don't work anymore. Don't know what happened - maybe Kevin Seitzer deserves some kudos here - but he's now playing with confidence, driving in big runs (35 RBIs), keeping rallies alive and giving the team the best centerfield play since a guy named Andruw patrolled the park.
- Somehow, the pitching has survived. This was my biggest area of concern starting the season, and those fears were realized when Mike Minor was lost with shoulder issues, the pile of retreads vying for the fourth and fifth spots stunk it up and the bullpen imploded.
The pen remains an issue, though recent pickups Nick Massett, Dana Eveland and David Aardsma have settled down and made the middle innings a little easier to watch for fans. I'm still not sold on Jim Johnson in the main setup role, but he's the best answer for now, and the pen is one Jason Grilli injury from being in total disarray.
As for the starters, can't say there's total confidence in the long run with guys like Perez and Wisler, but if they can have more good starts than bad and if the Teheran we saw Sunday shows up more often, then this team can remain in the hunt. Shelby Miller and Alex Wood should remain strong and if anyone regresses there's suddenly a lot of depth at Gwinnett.
- Fredi Gonzalez has changed. There are still some head-scratching moments with taking starting pitchers out too soon, but for the most part the embattled skipper has evolved along with his team.
Maybe it's not having the sulking Uptons around or trying to manage a lineup filled with high strikeout bats and no speed, but whatever the reason, there's no doubt his willingness to experiment with lineups has led to what is now the strong top of the order. He's also keeping his bench players sharp with starts and he showed me something by sitting Freeman and his sore wrist for the Mets series.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (61) works against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a baseball game on Friday, July 12, 2013, in Atlanta.Did this just happen?
John Hart strikes again. Rarely are trades seen as lopsided as the one the Braves pulled off with the Diamondbacks late Saturday, and even if you give Dave Stewart and the D'backs a little leeway, it's hard to not like this from the Atlanta standpoint.
Trading utility infielder Phil Gosselin, who was made expendable by the recent play of Pedro Ciriaco, for Bronson Arroyo and 19-year-old pitching prospect Touki Toussaint was another stroke of genius, pure and simple.
The only downside is eating much of the injured Arroyo's $9.5 million salary, but that goes off the books after this season and won't hamper things going forward. Toussaint was the 16th overall selection of the 2014 draft, and after a slow start to his professional career the power right-handed pitcher has shown why he was called the top prep pitcher in last year's draft.
Sure, more high school pitchers fail than succeed, but he's got all the tools to have three plus pitches and the room to add more strength. Add his arm to the arsenal of Folty, Wisler, Manny Banuelos, Maz Fried, Lucas Sims, Jason Hursh, Tyrell Jenkins and Garrett Fulenchek and there should be no shortage of pitching moving forward.
FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2015, file photo, Wisconsin forward Frank Kaminsky dunks against Indiana during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Madison, Wis. Kaminsky was selected to the AP All-America team, Monday, March 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File) Is there help for the Hawks in draft?
NBA experts consider Thursday's draft a weak one after the first few picks, so what are the odds of the Hawks getting someone of value with the No. 15 pick?
The problem is the biggest need today might not be the team's biggest need in a couple of weeks. If the team could re-sign DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap then the obvious need is a center who can provide some rim protection and rebounding.
If one or both those guys leave then forward is the position of need. With Danny Ferry just receiving his walking papers you have to wonder how far the team is in both its draft prep and is talks with the free agents.
If they want to go big, and it's a fairly good draft for centers, the dream scenario would have Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein falling to 15, but that's not likely. Two that might, however are Texas freshman Myles Turner and Wisconsin national Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky.
Turner is very raw and Kaminsky is likely reached his plateau. He's a great team player, something the Hawks stress, and can shoot, but he's not a strong rebounder or shot blocker. Still, he would be an immediate upgrade and would at least make teams guard him.
If the team wants to look at possible Millsap or Carroll replacements, Arkansas' 6-11 Bobby Portis is a possibility, a very athletic, energetic player who can also stretch the floor. Kansas freshman Kelly Oubre, who has some character concerns, is a possibility, as is Kentucky freshman Trey Lyles, who has more upside.
Several mock drafts have the Hawks taking Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker, a streaky shooter who is also a good defender and passer. If they believe Carroll is gone then he's the guy.
There's also been talk of getting some shooting guard help behind Kyle Korver, with guys like Kentucky's Devin Booker and Georgia State's R.J. Hunter mentioned.
The team has the ammo to move up if it chooses, with two second-round picks this year and an additional first-rounder next year. Either way, whichever direction the Hawks go Thursday will give a clear indication of their chances to keep Carroll and Millsap.