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DEL.ICIO.USMarte, Davies sent to Richmond
By DAVID O'BRIEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 3/19/05
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Braves clubhouse got a lot less crowded Friday, when top prospects Andy Marte and Kyle Davies and seven others were cut from the spring training roster. Third baseman Marte and Stockbridge right-hander Davies were optioned to Class-AAA Richmond with right-handed reliever Jorge Vasquez, shortstop Tony Pena and outfielders Billy McCarthy and Kelly Johnson.
Three others were optioned to Class-AA Mississippi: Right-handers Blaine Boyer of Marietta and Anthony Lerew, and first baseman Scott Thorman. Marte, 21, was rated the ninth-best prospect in Baseball America's recent Top 100, highest among Braves. The slugger could be ready for the majors, and the Braves might move him to the outfield at some point this season. "He's going to get a look out there," manager Bobby Cox said. "He's a good looking player. Great hitter. He's worked hard; his defense was terrific this spring. His defense has picked up so much at third, you hate to mess with him. "But it doesn't hurt a thing to shag flies in the outfield from time to time." With third baseman Chipper Jones under contract through 2006, plus vesting options for 2007 and '08, Marte could be doing more than shagging flies. None of Friday's moves was surprising, although some expected hard-throwing Vasquez to compete for a bullpen spot after coming from Kansas City in a trade for outfielder Eli Marrero. Vasquez, 26, needs experience and better command. As a closer with the Royals' Class-AA Wichita affiliate, he had 71 strikeouts in 59-2/3 innings while posting a 4.68 ERA and 18 saves. Davies was a candidate for the major league rotation before the Braves made two moves this winter, switching John Smoltz from closer to starter and trading for former Oakland ace Tim Hudson. It turned out to be a rough spring for Davies, who allowed 12 hits and 11 earned runs in eight innings, including four runs in three innings Friday. "Davies is fine," Cox said. "He's going to be a good pitcher. He just never really got comfortable out there [in a relief role this spring]."
AJC photo
Outfielder Ryan Langerhans has had a solid spring (though he's only batting .143) and is holding his own in the battle for the left or right field jobs.
Spring of hope
Baseball training camp means different things to different players. We've selected six young players -- Jeff Francoeur, Roosevelt Brown, Ryan Langerhans, Esix Snead, Brian McCann and Kyle Davies -- who are trying to make the grade, and our staff writers follow their experiences, posting their weekly progress and thoughts. Only on ajcsportsPlus.com
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