The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kimbrel already off to a good start
Closer tries out a change-up as his teammates struggle.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — It was the first day of Braves full-squad workouts, which meant live batting practice on the back fields at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Braves hitters facing — mostly struggling against — Braves pitchers, including the game’s most dominant closer, Craig Kimbrel.
Melvin Upton Jr. looked at almost every Kimbrel pitch without swinging, not an uncommon approach when facing Kimbrel on Day 1. Meanwhile, Braves newcomer Jonny Gomes swung at some Kimbrel offerings and missed a few, including one that appeared to be a ... change-up? From Kimbrel? The guy with high90s fastball and devastating slider?
“Chris Johnson (another in the group that faced Kimbrel) told me he threw a couple of changeups,” said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who was watching pitchers on another field when Kimbrel threw.
“He’s probably just playing with it. Add a third pitch if he has to. I don’t know how much he’ll use it when the games start.”
He obviously doesn’t have to — Kimbrel has posted a 1.43 ERA with a ridiculous 476 strikeouts in 289 innings in four-plus seasons in the majors and led or tied Braves closer Craig Kimbrel throws in the bullpen Thursday in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in the first day of full-squad workouts. for the National League lead in saves in each of his four seasons as a fulltime closer. He became the first pitcher in history to strike out at least half of the batters he faced in a full season when he struck out 116 of 231 in 2012.
However, if Kimbrel were to throw even an occasional change-up in a game, planting that seed in the mind of hitters, well, it might seem like cruel and unusual punishment for hitters.
Second-base shuffle: When the Braves signed Alberto Callaspo to a oneyear, $3 million contract Dec. 9, their initial plan was for the switch-hitter to get most of the playing time at second base until top prospect Jose Peraza was ready for the majors.
But that was before the Braves traded Justin Upton to the Padres for four prospects, including Jace Peterson, an interesting potential option at second base.
And before they signed non-roster invitee Kelly Johnson, a former Braves second baseman who’s now back as a well-traveled veteran who can play several positions.
And don’t forget Phil Gosselin, whom the Braves initially preferred more for a utility role than second base, but who might fit better in a platoon second-base role now since they have others who can play a variety of infield positions.
What it all means, according to Gonzalez, is that the Braves have quite a few options to sort through during spring training, and how they go at second base could also be affected by — or have an effect on — how they configure their bench players. Callaspo has also been mentioned as a possibility to get at-bats at third base after Chris Johnson excelled against left-handed pitching but struggled against righthanders.
Gonzalez also made sure to mention the possibility of Peraza having a shot at the opening-day roster if he impresses this spring. But at this point, Peraza on the opening-day roster still seems unlikely given his age (20) and limited experience (44 games) above the Single-A level.
“There’s so many different dynamics,” Gonzalez said. “It’s Feb. 26, there’s a lot of stuff going on. Do you want to go left/right (platoon)? Do you want to give Callaspo the job? Do you want to go Gosselin/Callaspo? Gosselin/Peterson? Gosselin/Peraza? Put Peraza in there?
“So I think it’s wide open. It really is. Kelly Johnson combo with someone else? It all just depends on how we want to work second base, the infield, and even the bench. Because I think that position could affect how you want to use your bench.”
Deep non-roster list: There usually are at least one or two non-roster invitees at Braves spring training who have a legitimate chance to make the opening-day roster, but this year there are many more who might have at least a decent shot at making the club.
Gonzalez named some of them Thursday after the team’s first full-squad workout. He was asked about non-roster invitees and ticked names off the top of his head, most or all of whom he said he called personally this winter before they signed with the Braves.
He mentioned left-handed starter Eric Stults, relievers Jose Veras, Matt Capps and lefty Brady Feigl, outfielder Eric Young Jr., catcher John Buck and Johnson — and said he probably was leaving some out.
“For me those guys have really, really got a good chance to make the club,” said Gonzalez, who also previously discussed another non-roster lefty, Wandy Rodriguez, who’s another leading candidate along with Stults to be the fifth starter.