Portraits, Batting Stance & Pitching Photos, etc.

[Grant]

Christian Bethancourt







NOTE: Sorry for the pictures. Seems there is not much out there in the way of pics for this guy.

Who exactly is Christian Bethancourt? He was signed by the Braves in March of 2008 out of Panama as a 16 year old. Bethancourt spent his 2008 in the Dominican Summer League, where he struggled with a .699 OPS. But he was a 16 year old, no one was worrying. This season, he started off as 17 year old in the GCL and put up an impressive .775 OPS. Halfway through August, Bethancourt was promoted to Danville, and he absolutely shined, OPSing .819 with a .220 ISO. As a 17 year old, keep this in mind, Christian played this entire season as a young man who couldn’t buy tobacco in America, he posted a walk rate of 10.2%, while striking out at a slightly high but overall respectable rate of 22.9%. He even stole 8 bases for the hell of it. The future is very, very, VERY bright for Christian Bethancourt, and I’d expect him to start off in Rome if he looks well-adjusted to America in the spring. At the end of 2010, he could be the best catching prospect in baseball.

Grade: B-

[Grant]

J.J. Hoover







J.J. Hoover, 21, RHP, 6'3", 215 lbs
SCOUTING REPORT: The physically-mature Hoover has always been able to throw hard, but he learned to become a pitcher this season with the improvement in his slider, curve and changeup. The result was dramatic. Hoover led the nation with 176 strikeouts in 101 innings—a nine-inning average of 15.74—while going 6.4 with an Alabama-best 1.88 ERA. He made a major statement in late March when he fanned 23 and 19 in consecutive starts. His fastball, mostly 92-93 mph a year ago, was 94-95 this year on the Stalker radar gun—and 97-98 on the more liberal JUGS gun. A Pittsburgh high school product, Hoover has committed to West Virginia but has indicated he wants to begin his pro career.—ALLAN SIMPSON

C+

[Grant]

David Hale, RHP, Grade C+: Power arm from Princeton, another possible relief mainstay if the command is there.

David Hale pitched 16 innings for the Rookie Danville Braves. He allowed 12 hits, 5 walks, and 4 runs (2 earned). He finished with a 1.12 ERA, a 0.750 WHIP, and a 12-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Position: RP
Date of Birth: 09/27/1987
Birthplace: Marietta, GA
Experience: Prospect
High School: The Walker School
(Marietta, GA)
College: Princeton

[Grant]

Full Name: Mycal Jones
Born: May 30,1987 in Jacksonville, Florida
Height: 5-9 Weight: 170 Bats: Right Throws: Right
High School: Wolfson (Jacksonville, Florida) "Wolfpack"
College: University of North Florida

Mycal Jones, SS, Grade C+: Good speed, strikeout rate is rather high, will he hit at higher levels?

[Grant]

Cody Gearrin, RHP, Grade C+: Another possible bullpen reinforcement.

[Grant]

Adam Milligan, OF, Grade C+: Great numbers in his pro debut, scouting reports are mixed, poor BB/K ratio is a caution flag. Could rank as high as 11th.

[TN BRAVES FAN]

C.J. Lee - OF- High A