Monthly Archives: July 2009

Martin Prado, the former Mississippi Brave, may have arrived. At last. Prado, having recently usurped Kelly Johnson as Atlanta’s starting second baseman, was named National League player of the week earlier this week after posting some mighty fine numbers: a .577 average, 8 doubles and 6 RBIs in a week’s time. Prado had the look of a big leaguer when he arrived at Trustmark Park way back in 2005. Then-M-Braves manager Brian Snitker raved about him. But until this season, Prado hasn’t really been given a chance to play regularly for the big Braves. He is now making the most of it. … Kudos also go out to Jonathan Papelbon, the ex-Mississippi State star who was named to the American League All-Star team. Papelbon recently became the Boston Red Sox’s all-time saves leader (with 133 in just three-plus years). He has also become arguably the most feared closer in the game, passing Mariano Rivera for that honor.
P.S. If you haven’t been out to the TeePee to see Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman yet, do it. These guys are good. And they will get better. But they won’t be here long, probably not beyond this season if that long.

It’s July 2, a month since the Atlanta Braves’ possible “defining moment,” an adrenaline-pumping victory over the Chicago Cubs. The Braves were 26-25 on June 2, 3 1/2 games out of first in the National League East. Today, as they play first-place Philadelphia, the Braves are 37-40, 3 games out. So, they’ve made up ground … but they haven’t exactly turned the season around. Even with the addition of Nate McLouth, Atlanta continues to struggle at the plate. Former M-Brave Jeff Francoeur, whose clutch ninth-inning homer on June 2 created such cause for optimism, still isn’t producing enough. Former M-Brave Yunel Escobar is still causing distractions. Former M-Braves Tommy Hanson and Martin Prado have helped the cause, but there seems to be so much work left for Atlanta. Dare we check back yet again a month from now?