Watch Jason Heyward in the Futures Game

[Andy G.]

Jason Heyward will be the Braves' only representative in the Futures Game today, which will be played at 2:00 on ESPN2. In his first eight games with Mississippi, he's gone 9-26 with three doubles and two triples. He hasn't struck out yet, and has taken four walks.

This is from AJC on Friday. (http://www.ajc.com/news/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/07/10/jason_heyward_braves.html)

“Most 19-year-olds don’t have the mature hitting approach these kids do in terms of their strike-zone discipline,” Kemp said of Heyward and Freeman. “They get their share of walks, they don’t strike out a lot, they get good pitches to hit.”

Heyward, who turns 20 in August, doesn’t look much like a teenager. He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 235 pounds. He has packed on muscle, is broad across the shoulders and doesn’t think he’s finishing growing. While Heyward’s father, Eugene, is 6-3, Eugene has brothers who are 6-6 and a sister who is 6-1.

“People say I look taller month to month,” Heyward said. “As far as height, I would not mind stopping right now.”

All agree that Heyward will continue to develop physically.

“I don’t think he’s got that ‘man’ strength yet,” Eugene said. “But it’s coming. He’s still 19.”

When should we expect him to be ready for the majors?

[Devil Wears Prado]

I'm looking forward to watching Heyward and Montero (from the Yankees' farm system). My brother has been tracking Montero for quite a while now and all I hear is that he is as good, if not better than Heyward as a hitter. He claims that Heyward does have an advanced approach at the plate though, which he thinks could give him an edge over Montero in the future. Anyways, we'll certainly see for ourselves tomorrow won't we.

[JanShan12]

I have the game set to record while I'm at my fiance's Army family day! Can't wait to get back and watch both the Braves game and this one.

[MSbravefan]

Barbaro is playing in the game as well for the World Team. They said he's only 19 years old? Is that correct?

[sdp]

Barbaro is playing in the game as well for the World Team. They said he's only 19 years old? Is that correct?

No, he's 29... as far we know.

[Andy G.]

Yeah, that was a pretty bad slip up. Gammons went silent after they said that. Why is he even playing in the futures game?

[sdp]

Yeah, that was a pretty bad slip up. Gammons went silent after they said that. Why is he even playing in the futures game?

He was an injury-replacement.

[Devil Wears Prado]

Why is Heyward so low in the batting lineup?

[JanShan12]

Why is Heyward so low in the batting lineup?

I was wondering that too, but figured it was for no particular reason since they are just showcasing all of the young talent. I see St. Louis' Brett Wallace is batting 3rd.

[IkeWagner]

One of the next big questions in Atlanta will be: When will he be ready? He should start next year in AA and move to AAA when he's ready; maybe a sept call up. 2011 should be his year.

[JanShan12]

Freeman should also be included in that conversation. We'll have to young players ready for the majors at the same time as it looks right now.

[Dreamscape]

I love Heyward and Freeman. I would definitely go slow with them, though. Only 19 and playing AA and not being overwhelmed is a major accomplishment. They came into camp this year with no real starter in center, setting up the Schafer jump. It was a bad idea. They need to have starters set next year (or at least a platoon plan B). That said, I would be surprised if they weren't regulars in the big leagues by the All-Star Break in 2011 unless the evil injury pops up.

[ChopTime]

Unfortunately I didn't see that game today. Anybody know if it will re-air?

[Lauren T.]

No, he's 29... as far we know.Yeah, that was a pretty bad slip up. Gammons went silent after they said that. Why is he even playing in the futures game?

Canizares' story is pretty interesting. He wasn't drafted until 2006, when he was 26 years old. Per the AJC (http://www.ajc.com/wireless/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/11/braves_Bararo_Canizares.html):
Canizares is old for a rookie, but didn’t sign until 2006 and missed part of the 2007 season because of immigration issues. Last season was his first with more than 300 at-bats.
He's from Cuba, in case you didn't know.

[Devil Wears Prado]

Unfortunately I didn't see that game today. Anybody know if it will re-air?

They're still showing it right now. It was on something like a four hour rain delay.

Jason Heyward's hit looked solid. :thumbsup:

[Middle Man]

Canizares' story is pretty interesting. He wasn't drafted until 2006, when he was 26 years old. Per the AJC (http://www.ajc.com/wireless/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/11/braves_Bararo_Canizares.html):

He's from Cuba, in case you didn't know.

It took him that long to get out of Cuba. He had tried to escape the year before but someone squealed and he got arrested and kicked off the national team or something. I'm not sure how he actually ended up getting out.

[Andy G.]

Canizares' story is pretty interesting. He wasn't drafted until 2006, when he was 26 years old. Per the AJC (http://www.ajc.com/wireless/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/11/braves_Bararo_Canizares.html):

He's from Cuba, in case you didn't know.

Yeah I know. He's just pretty old to be playing in the futures game.