http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/team/2 Recent articles about the Atlanta Braves en-us Braves prospect Cody Johnson could be a force in the lineup if he learns to lower his strikeouts. (Photo by C.B. Wilkins) View full size photo » Our countdown of the top-25 prospects in the Atlanta Braves organization continues with #6 through #10: 6.  Cody Johnson, OF :: B/T: L/R Born: 8/28/1988 Ht: 6'4" Wt: 195 Last Year's Talking Chop Rank:  13 The Skinny: Controversial first round pick of the B... Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:00:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_6_10/1635339 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_6_10/1635339 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_6_10/1635339 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/9/e97bbf86222112b5f87534c8b11330b94750ee44/small/MetsBraves_1424.jpg Jean Boscan, a veteran of 13 Minor League seasons, was still vulnerable to a prank from precocious youngster Freddie Freeman. View full size photo » It's not the kind of high profile signing that gets people excited, but the Braves added to their organizational depth today by retaining two of their own Minor League free agents, catcher JC Boscan and right handed reliever Jon Huber. Boscan, who has played all but 2 of his 13 professional seasons in Atlanta's organization, h... Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:23:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Re_Sign_Boscan_and_Huber/1634773 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Re_Sign_Boscan_and_Huber/1634773 Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Edgar Osuna continues to improve as he moves up the minor league ladder. View full size photo » Our countdown of the top-25 prospects in the Atlanta Braves organization continues with #11 through #15: 11.  Edgar Osuna, LHSP :: B/T: L/L Born: 11/25/1987 Ht: 6'1" Wt: 165 Last Year's Talking Chop Rank:  17 The Skinny:  An international signee out of Mexico in 2004... Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_11_15/1629345 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_11_15/1629345 Braves relief prospect Corey Gearrin should be able to find the majors with his deceptive side arm delivery. (Photo by C.B. Wilkins) View full size photo » Our countdown of the top-25 prospects in the Atlanta Braves organization continues with #16 through #20: 16.  Cory Gearrin, RHRP :: B/T: 6'3" Born: 04/04/1986 Ht: 6'3" Wt: 200 Last Year's Talking Chop Rank:  NR The Skinny:  Was a d... Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_16_20/1623100 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_16_20/1623100 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_16_20/1623100 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/9/99ab31f1176ccd643bf70aa255e2a57211131e6b/small/PicImg_MLB_MAR_01_0da6.jpg Joe Rosario, the agent for veteran left-hander John Halama, said Halama has agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with the Brewers that includes an invitation to big league camp. Adam McCalvy Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:45:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Joe_Rosario_the_agent_for_veteran_left_hander_John_Halama_said_Halama_has_agreed_to_terms_on_a/1620734 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Joe_Rosario_the_agent_for_veteran_left_hander_John_Halama_said_Halama_has_agreed_to_terms_on_a/1620734 More photos » by Paul Abell - AP 6 months ago: Atlanta Braves' Jordan Schafer drives in two runs with a single to right field in the bottom of the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Atlanta, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Abell) Browse more photos » There are some interesting tidbits floating around the internet today concerning the Braves, mostly coming out of... Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:58:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Rumors_for_Monday/1620142 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Rumors_for_Monday/1620142 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Rumors_for_Monday/1620142 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/0/c0d2ba789f77bb1fc675356b3080b48be6818798/small/PicImg_MLB_APR_19_f4f7.jpg A Talking Chop favorite, Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg, just barely found his way into the top-25. View full size photo » Our countdown of the top-25 prospects in the Atlanta Braves organization begins with #21 through #25 (note that you will actually get 6 prospects today, and that because of a tie, there are really 26 top prospects): 21.  Todd Redmond, RHSP :: B/T: R/R Born: 5/17/1985 Ht: 6'3" Wt: 215 Last Ye... Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:00:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_21_25/1616974 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Top_25_Braves_Prospects_21_25/1616974 This is the last week for regularly scheduled posts here at Talking Chop. After this week there will still be daily posts, but they will be dictated more by the tempo of the off-season than by pre-planned content. I hope everyone has enjoyed all the 2009 reviewing of major leaguers (there's a section on the left sidebar that has a link to all of them) and the reviewing and ranking of the minor leaguers. We've got one more week of ranking minor leaugers as we present the top-25 Br... Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/This_Weeks_Schedule_at_Talking_Chop_November_23_29/1616577 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/This_Weeks_Schedule_at_Talking_Chop_November_23_29/1616577 As part of season reviews for major league players and top prospect rankings for minor league players, we here at Talking Chop thought it would be a fun idea to get all of our bloggers together with the help of Google Docs and debate the various aspects of each position in the Braves organization. The participants are, yours truly (gondeee, indicated by MG), yondaime4 (indicated by MF), royhobbs (indicated by DH), and cbwilk (indicated by CBW). The round table for relievers in the Brave... Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:22:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Round_Table_Braves_Relievers/1611605 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Round_Table_Braves_Relievers/1611605 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Talking_Chop_Round_Table_Braves_Relievers/1611605 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/f/3f62f9f159d59b66fe8972df0e96a7cfb535da20/small/PicImg_MLB_APR_22_0b9a.jpg CB touched on its yesterday, in that most successful relievers in the MLB were drafted as starters, but the Braves have been drafting relievers with that intention in mind recently and it has left them with some very interesting arms in the bullpen that could be ready to fill holes in just a year or two. 1. Craig Kimbrel B/T: R/R Born:  05/28/1988 Ht: 5'11" Wt: 205 Craig Kimbrel was another multiple attempt draftee of the Braves. They took him in the 33rd Rd in 2007 but fa... Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:00:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Top_10_Minor_League_Relief_Pitchers_1_5/1606531 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Top_10_Minor_League_Relief_Pitchers_1_5/1606531 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Top_10_Minor_League_Relief_Pitchers_1_5/1606531 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/9/99ab31f1176ccd643bf70aa255e2a57211131e6b/small/PicImg_MLB_MAR_01_0da6.jpg Kevin Gunderson will need to improve his left/right splits if he hopes to earn a spot in Atlanta's bullpen. View full size photo » The fact is, most effective Major League relievers are converted starters. But, that's no reason to ignore the crop of pitchers performing primarily as relievers in the Braves' Minor League system, as the tops names are each not only talented but have succeeded as they've moved... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:15:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Top_10_Minor_League_Relief_Pitchers_6_10/1603265 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Top_10_Minor_League_Relief_Pitchers_6_10/1603265 More photos » by Paul Abell - AP It seems like some of the bitterness of the Braves' decision to cut Tom Glavine (evident in this picture from June 5th of this year) has finally left the future Hall of Fame pitcher. Browse more photos » I was sent this transcript by the media guy over at Sirius XM Radio's MLB Home Plate show. I thought it had some good quotes from Tom Glavine... he usually has good... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:28:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Tom_Glavine_Talks_on_Sirius_XM_Radio/1602523 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Tom_Glavine_Talks_on_Sirius_XM_Radio/1602523 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Tom_Glavine_Talks_on_Sirius_XM_Radio/1602523 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/1/f1e2b9656b40dd531f91b290fafce25399688548/small/World_Series_3_9d5f.jpg More photos » by Winslow Townson - AP Billy Wagner could wind up in an Atlanta Braves uniform next year. Browse more photos » Keith Law ranks the top-50 free agents at ESPN Insider. Some interesting notes: He lists Mike Gonzalez 16th, ahead of Rafael Soriano, saying they are the two best relievers on the market, but he considers Gonzo healthier and more valuable from the left side. Rafael Soriano is 19... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:33:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Interesting_Free_Agent_Rankings/1600688 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Interesting_Free_Agent_Rankings/1600688 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Interesting_Free_Agent_Rankings/1600688 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/f/3f62f9f159d59b66fe8972df0e96a7cfb535da20/small/PicImg_MLB_APR_22_0b9a.jpg From Ken Rosenthal, we learn that the Atlanta Braves have had what seems like several conversations with teams about trading starting pitcher Derek Lowe, but they have had little luck finding a taker: The Braves' most extensive discussions concerning Lowe have been with the Brewers about a trade for outfielder Corey Hart, according to one source. But the Brewers are not sure they would want Lowe even if the Braves included significant money in the deal, another source says. Ano... Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:05:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Report_Braves_Attempting_to_Move_Derek_Lowe/1597743 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Report_Braves_Attempting_to_Move_Derek_Lowe/1597743 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Report_Braves_Attempting_to_Move_Derek_Lowe/1597743 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/e/ced6f9d5408618c12fe1e62d5864d7315d541255/small/MLB_JUN_14_fce2.jpg More photos » by John Heller - AP Atlanta Braves reliever Peter Moylan was one of the most valuable members of any team's bullpen last year. Browse more photos » Middle relief is never a sure thing in baseball. The Atlanta Braves have been lucky in the past to have cobbled together good middle relief corps. They haven't been so lucky the last few years, but last year they did a decent job of assemb... Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:48:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_2009_Season_in_Review_Middle_Relief/1594563 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_2009_Season_in_Review_Middle_Relief/1594563 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_2009_Season_in_Review_Middle_Relief/1594563 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/9/99ab31f1176ccd643bf70aa255e2a57211131e6b/small/PicImg_MLB_MAR_01_0da6.jpg More photos » by Tom Mihalek - AP The typical Gonzo pose. Browse more photos » If Rafael Soriano was the Atlanta Braves closer that came out of the gate strong and finished poorly, then Mike Gonzalez is the opposite -- the closer who started out poorly and finished strong. Gonzalez was in the co-closer role out of spring training, but he was clearly favored by Bobby Cox to get the lions share of saves. Gon... Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:16:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_2009_Season_in_Review_Mike_Gonzalez/1587052 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_2009_Season_in_Review_Mike_Gonzalez/1587052 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_2009_Season_in_Review_Mike_Gonzalez/1587052 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/0/f082a3003861f0b5b00b2d3ca8227de323179e86/small/PicImg_MLB_MAR_12_9d48.jpg More photos » by Gregory Smith - AP Atlanta Braves closer Rafael Soriano could use all the heavenly help he can get. Browse more photos » Reviewing a reliever is not an easy task. There are plenty of ugly numbers that can jump out at you, but there are also some pretty numbers that can't be ignored; such is the case with Atlanta Braves closer Rafael Soriano. Raffy didn't start out the year as the c... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:47:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_2009_Season_in_Review_Rafael_Soriano/1583610 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_2009_Season_in_Review_Rafael_Soriano/1583610 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_2009_Season_in_Review_Rafael_Soriano/1583610 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/f/3f62f9f159d59b66fe8972df0e96a7cfb535da20/small/PicImg_MLB_APR_22_0b9a.jpg After an outstanding 2008 for Myrtle Beach, Ernesto Mejia missed the majority of 2009. View full size photo » The list of Six-Year Minor League Free Agents has been released and the Braves have 12 players on that list: Pitchers: RH Bobby Brownlie, RH Jerome Gamble, LH Mariano Gomez, RH Moises Hernandez, RH Lance Niekro, LH Juan Perez Catchers: Jose Camarena, Alvin Colina Infielders: 2B/SS Chris Burke, SS/3B Kody Kirkla... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:03:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Have_16_Minor_League_Free_Agents/1581206 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Braves_Have_16_Minor_League_Free_Agents/1581206