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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

They traded for me!

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You know me like that.

Next Yadi or Posey? Good be talked into nudging my projection up to Lucroy.

agree, needed to bring the GPA up!

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

No half grades, Ethan. Is hit tool a 50 or a 60, Ethan? Is speed a 30 or a 40, Ethan? Is his glove a 40 or a 50, Ethan? Is his arm a 40 or a 50, Ethan?

Make a decision, Ethan.

Never had Caratini. I'd imagine that it tastes like chicken, though.

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Baseball America named Caratini the best pure hitter in Atlanta's 2013 Draft class as well as its best power hitter.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Can't have enough red ass slugging Italians. New market inefficiency.

The scouting report sure doesnt sound like that glowing report.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Sounds like a potential solid switch-hitting bench player and backup C.

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You know me like that.

I like this trade. They gave up very little.
Anyway wake me when they trade for MAJOR LEAGUE TALENT!

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

They got an actual prospect for a FA UT guy and James "Batting Practice" Russell?

Great deal!

Hats off!!

Russel, I agree....he was good in 2012 and besides that these guys must work on their hair more than they work on pitching.

I liked Emilio, but it you are going to start bringing up guys next year, we have enough of these guys. he is going to get better and better,

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Emilio is a good guy to have on the ballclub but with Alcantara he is obviously expendable. Just an astute pickup late in the offseason parlayed into a above average prospect (along with dumping Russell's salary for next year).

Solid move by a solid management team.

Baseball Prospectus

Caratini is an enigma. He would profile well behind the plate and has the defensive chops to stick, but his arm is weak and would be exploited behind the plate at the highest level due to a long release and poor pop times. At third base, his arm could play at the fringe-average level, but his defensive chops at third are unrefined and don't project to get better due to a body that's maxed-out physically, hands that are underwhelming, and poor lateral agility.

All in all, Caratini projects to be a utility player who can play some third, some catcher, and possibly even some first base at the highest level. His bat will be his carrying tool through the minors, but his lack of a true defensive home will limit his impact at the highest level. If a team is willing to punt defense behind the plate (i.e. the running game), he has the ceiling of a second-division regular as his bat would profile well at the position. Things become more complicated if he's developed as a third baseman solely, however, as his bat won't be a profile fit at the hot corner. His ability to smash line drives all over the field, limit a pitcher's platoon advantage, and show a decent approach at the plate will make him valuable in a bench/utility role.

Emilio #2

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Chalk one up for Good Dolphin's assessment of the Cubs' current player acquisition philosophy: good hit, no glove.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

They are acquiring hitters who apparently can't field.

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Caratini and Martinez both are killing it in their debuts. genius.

From BA:

Ranked Atlanta Braves #8 prospect after the 2013 season Premium
Caratini attended the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy before going to Southern, where he was ineligible as a freshman. He transferred to Miami Dade JC, played third base with some catcher mixed in, and helped guide the team to the Florida state junior-college tournament before becoming the 65th overall pick in the 2013 draft. After signing for $800,000, he continued to impress in pro ball and was ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. Caratini is an advanced hitter with a line-drive swing, a gap-to-gap approach from both sides of the plate and an excellent feel for the strike zone. He stroked 25 extra-base hits at Rookie-level Danville and can drive the ball to the opposite field, but scouts are mixed regarding his power potential at higher levels. He's a below-average runner who lacks quickness and agility at third base, which could lead to a full-time shift to catcher, a position he played at times at Miami Dade. Caratini has plus arm strength and enough quickness to handle the job behind the plate. Realizing his plus arm strength as well as his limitations as an infielder, the Braves worked Caratini at catcher during instructional league and would love to see him develop there. Should he make the transition, he could open 2014 in extended spring training with a return trip to Danville.

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BP:



Another theft by Theo.

but I'm sure he was blessed with a high baseball IQ

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Went out to Kane County tonight. Beautiful night to watch some ball.

This guy is skinny, like really skinny. No way that body can catch 130 major league games.

My guy Shawon Dunston Jr. looks good though.

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You know me like that.

While I would like a more detailed report, not blaming Dr ken, but the guy who should give a weekly report is Wayne Randazzo. Being the voice of Kane county and sometimes he is on Hit n run, but it should be a scheduled report.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

He reported that every MLB AB from the big four is a stop what you are doing and watch moment.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

You just couldn't pass up the opportunity to see former Illini super star Thomas Lindauer.

I saw Caratini last night. I don't think he's too skinny. I agree there's no way he'll catch 130 major league games but it's not because he's too skinny.

Lindauer can't hit a lick. Wow is he bad.