Should Heyward Start in RF?

[bcshorts]

Pretty simple, should Jason Heyward be the Braves opening day starter in right field?

I'm kind of torn on the issue. He's had very few at-bats in AAA, and only spent part of a season in AA, so it's very possible that putting him in the majors now would have negative effects. It's also difficult to project what sort of player he would be this season. There's a lot of upside there, but at the same time there isn't any guarantee that he would be better than Matt Diaz, as Diaz is a very quality player that is projected as a .290/.355/.450 guy. So does Heyward's upside justify a potential rush to the majors?

[ATLien]

It's a tough call, but I voted no.

I'd rather be on the too cautious side than do anything that may backfire on the Braves. Let's let him play more games in AAA, similar to Tommy Hanson in 2009, and call him up after the season starts.

[missionhockey21]

I agree with ATLien. Too soon, even for the kind of talent he is. He has bounced from A ball in 2008 and looks to be nearly MLB ready, but with only a handful of AAA at-bats, I would think it to be best to at least give him three months of AB's in AAA before even considering a callup. Even with his talent, that is a huge talent jump to make in short of a time period, no matter what you're potential is.

[Kingdom]

Not yet, they can live with.. for at least 3-4 months, a platoon of Diaz and insert guy A here. Schafer or Elky Cabrera. Doesn't matter, really. Diaz can mash lefties though, he dines on them and even has enough room for desserts. So just find someone who can post a better OPS against righties for short term.

[ATLien]

I don't know how he doesn't, now. By all accounts, he is working his ass off in ST. He might be the best available option at OF after not signing Damon

[missionhockey21]

True, but just because he looks ready right now, doesn't mean he will look ready in a few months, after pitchers have adjusted to him but he may have not adjusted to those new changes.

[ATLien]

I hear you. There is also this: if the Braves call Heyward at the end of May, he would not be eligible for arbitration until after the 2013 season..instead of 2012 if he's on the opening day roster.

[cjkalt]

I'm at Disney and word around here is that they are working on signing him to a Longoria type deal so arbitration might not be an issue...

I'm going to see him play (hopefully) tomorrow vs the Mets

[missionhockey21]

Didn't Longoria actually have a few months though before that deal? I am fuzzy on that though so I am not for sure when that took place.

[redsrbetter]

Yeah I think you are right mission. Longoria was with the big club for a few months before he landed the deal. Yet, they waited on his super 2 status as well.

I see the same thing happening with Heyward. As mentioned before, there is a valid reason to let him learn at the AAA level for a while. It fits financially and according to general prospect plans. Unless Heyward gives them no choice and shows he is the best player on the entire team this spring, I see him in AAA at least until May.

[DravenX]

Well it seems the Braves made the choice to have Heyward start the '10 season in RF.
MLB.com

[bcshorts]

Yeah, I don't think there was any doubt at this point that he would be our starting RF. He's been very good this spring, impressed just about everyone who's anyone, and is hopefully ready to begin what could be a career that has little to no limit. I'm quite excited.

[General]

Birthday present for me.