Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop A.J. Pierzynski Knows His Role With This Organization
By Jeff Schafer
Wandy starts Braves’ Grapefruit opener Wednesday
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Atlanta Braves baseball begins on Wednesday! Newcomer, Wandy Rodriguez will get the ball for Atlanta on opening Spring Training day. The usual two innings on their first outing is most likely in place again for the 2015 season. No word yet on why Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez picked Rodriguez to start game one but I’m guessing it has a lot to do with getting the guys who are in the running for the fifth starter spot the most time on the mound to be evaluated.
"Wandy Rodriguez will start get the start for the Braves in their Grapefruit League opener Wednesday against the Mets, with projected opening-day starter Julio Teheran getting the nod in Thursday’s road game against the Tigers.Rodriguez, a veteran left-hander who is considered one of the leading candidates for the fifth-starter opening, is set to go two innings and be followed by another non-roster invitee, Chien-Ming Wang. The Braves open the spring-training schedule at Champion Stadium in ESPN Wide World of Sports, then face the Tigers in Lakeland on Thursday."
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Pierzynski brings experience behind plate to Atlanta Braves
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: A.J. Pierzynski brings heart to your locker room…something the Braves were missing the past few seasons. Yes, he has a reputation of angering other teams players but he’s one of those guys that if he’s on your team, you’re OK with him. Braves signed him over the offseason as insurance to the catcher position. Christian Bethancourt has been slated the catcher of the future for the Braves for a while now and his time to shine is now. If he doesn’t show he’s able to run with the job, Pierzynski will be there waiting.
"Pierzynski has played in five postseasons and was the catcher when the Chicago White Sox won the 2005 World Series.He knows he is in Atlanta partly to work with Bethancourt, but he’s also with the Braves to win.“This team has a tradition of winning and I want to be a part of that. I still have a lot to give this team and it is a great group of guys,” he said.Pierzynski said he knows his role with the Braves. He’ll mix time with Bethancourt and do some teaching on the side.“My job is to do whatever it takes to help the Braves,” Pierzynski said. “I know what my role is and I do it the best I can.”"
Cunningham confident in ability to compete for CF job
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Todd Cunningham will be competing for the Braves center field job this Spring Training. Though he has stiff competition, he’s my likely favorite, as of today, to win the job. He has primarily played the center field position in his five year minor league career. He is a solid baseball player that brings good contact at the plate and above average defense on the field. He isn’t flashy but does everything needed for success.
"Todd Cunningham accepts the fact that he was not given the gift to overwhelm baseball evaluators with his speed or power. But at the same time, he has confidence in his ability to be a fundamentally sound asset if the Braves choose him to fill the center field void in Melvin Upton Jr.’s absence.“You can call me the safe bet,” Cunningham said. “You can say I’m not the sexy pick or whatever you want. But I still feel I can personally bring a lot of value to a team. So, if I get a chance to compete out there, I plan to bring everything that I’ve got.”Cunningham wasn’t blessed with the same kind of speed as Eury Perez orEric Young Jr. — the two other top candidates to fill the centerfield void while Upton misses at least all of April with a left foot injury he suffered last week."