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Sox get Tyler Flowers (C), Brent Lillbridge (SS, who has seen some CF) and an unknown pitcher (not Reyes)
for
Vazquez/Logan
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Lillbridge:
One of the key components of the Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh deal in early 2007 was shortstop Brent Lillibridge, who came over to the Braves along with Mike Gonzalez. Lillibridge, who had a decent shot of making the Braves as a utility player this spring, was one of the team's final cuts and will start the year in Richmond.
Lillibridge's instincts have always drawn raves and he's matured quickly. Many would argue he's Major League ready now. But for the foreseeable future he's blocked by Yunel Escobar, himself a newly appointed starter. Lillibridge managed a .400 OBP during two Class-A stops in 2006. In 2007 he hit 10 homers in 87 games at Triple-A Richmond and projects as a 15-20 HR guy in the bigs. He's got good, but not blazing speed. Yet in 309 minor league games he's swiped 105 bases, including 28 with an 85% success rate in Richmond. It's the instincts, man.
However, with Escobar's fantastic close to the 2007 season there was little doubt who the Braves starting shortstop would be going into 2008. Lillibridge had a shot to make the team as a utility player, and in early March was even given a surprise start at third by manager Bobby Cox despite not having played the position since the 2004 Cape Cod summer league. "He can play, man," said Cox after the game when questioned about the move. Lillibridge also saw time at second and in center (where he spent two seasons in college) during the spring.
The reason he didn't head north with the team this year was partly because he hit just .224 this spring (and led the team with 18 whiffs), but also because the team would like to get him regular at bats, something that wouldn't happen if he'd made the team as a bench player. At the very least a late season callup seems in order, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that he'd get some starts in center should Mark Kotsay's back flare up.
You get the feeling Cox would like to find a place for Lillibridge. His name often surfaces in trade talks, but that probably has more to do with other GMs coveting him than any willingness to deal on the part of the Braves. Still, it's fun to think about what an "intangibles" kind of player like Lillibridge might fetch. He could end up being a key piece to the Braves getting a top player for the stretch run.
6. Brent Lillibridge, ss Born: Sept. 18, 1983 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 5-11 • Wt: 180
Drafted: Washington, 2005 (4th round) • Signed by: Greg Hopkins (Pirates)
Brent LillibridgeBackground: Acquired from Pittsburgh in the deal that sent Adam LaRoche to the Pirates last offseason, Lillibridge served as a catalyst on Richmond's International League championship club. He led the system with 42 steals and posted a hit in each of his nine playoff games. R-Braves manager Dave Brundage said Lillibridge improved more over the course of the season than any player on his club.
Strengths: Lillibridge has the tools to hit leadoff, plus the range and arm strength to play shortstop in the major leagues. His hands work well at the plate and he's adept at using the entire field. He also drives the ball well for a player his size. With above-average speed and savvy, he has succeeded in 79 percent of his pro steal attempts.
Weaknesses: Lillibridge thinks of himself as a middle-of-the-lineup hitter too often. He needs to reduce his strikeouts by shortening his swing and controlling the zone better. He also needs to upgrade his bunting ability and become more of a small-ball player. He doesn't always deal with failure well, though he's doing better as he matures.
The Future: Once Lillibridge plays to his strengths he'll be ready to contribute at the major league level. He'll open 2008 in Triple-A.
How much will Tyler Flowers' strong Arizona Fall League showing move him up in Baseball America's Braves rankings? He hit .387 and led the AFL with 12 homers and a .975 slugging percentage. He has a large frame and looks like he could make a seamless transition to first base. What are the odds that he eventually makes that move, given that Atlanta already has Brian McCann at catcher?
Charles Caswell
Knoxville
Unlike baseball's major awards, our prospect ratings aren't finalized at the end of the regular season. We do take winter ball and other offseason happenings into account, though be careful not to read too much into AFL stats. Last fall's breakout hitter and slugging percentage leader was the Cubs' Sam Fuld, who looks like an extra outfielder and not a regular, let alone a star.
That's not the case with Flowers, of course. His power and strike-zone discipline were evident when he was hitting .288/.427/.494 at high Class A Myrtle Beach, and he already was one of Atlanta's best prospects, so his AFL performance won't rocket him up our list.
Flowers still has a lot of work to do in all facets of catching, and he may never be McCann's equal as a defender. You never know how things will play out, so for now the Braves will keep him behind the plate, where he has the most value. If McCann remains entrenched once Flowers is ready for the majors, Flowers then could move to first base, though Casey Kotchman could provide an obstacle there. It would be a stretch to play Flowers on an outfield corner.
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Flowers
Mike (San Diego): Hey Keith, who is this Tyler Flowers guy? He is raking in the AFL.
SportsNation Keith Law: Catcher, OK behind the plate, great eye/plate discipline, average power. Bat speed's a little slow so I'm not sure he's a big average hitter, but at that position? He's a top 100 prospect, or sure. And I bet that the Padres are all over him.
Jonathan (Tampa, FL): How good is Tyler Flowers? Is he as good as his AFL stats say? 10 HR and close to a .400 AVG?
SportsNation Keith Law: He's not a .400/.500/.650 guy in the majors. Of this I am certain. But he's a pretty good prospect - can catch, not great back there, gets on base, has big raw power. At least a solid average regular.
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