Atlanta Braves news and links: So far, so good when it comes to Swanson

BRAVES NEWS

Braves: “So far, so good with Swanson”

Dansby Swanson has made a pretty good adjustment from AA baseball to life as a major leaguer, and the number one overall pick in the 2015 MLB draft has definitely looked like he belongs in the big leagues. Bill Ballew of Baseball America recently did an organizational report on the Braves (subscription required but recommended), and Swanson is being touted as the crown jewel of the Braves and their rebuilding process.

Ian Anderson excited about future after first pro season

Meanwhile, the number three overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft recently finished up his first season as a professional ballplayer. Ian Anderson made ten starts in between the GCL Braves and the Danville Braves and definitely flashed signs of the potential that caused the Braves to draft him so high. Now, the 18-year-old has told Doug Sherman of CBS 6 in Albany, New York that he is preparing for next season with his eyes set on being a major part of the Rome Braves’ plans to start 2017.

"You never know going out into your first season, and the toll that the season's going to take on you," said the 18-year-old starting pitcher. "I think my body responded well. And I responded well out on the mound, so I couldn't be happier with how I did."

Albies visits Dr. James Andrews for elbow fracture

The 19-year-old Ozzie Albies saw his fantastic season come to an unfortunate end earlier this week when he was forced to leave a playoff game due to injury. Now we know how bad the injury was following a visit to Dr. James Andrews — he fractured his olecranon bone. Of course, this is the end of Albies’ season, but John Schuerholz told the AJC’s Dave O’Brien that they don’t expect him to miss any time during next season — a fact that could be crucial to the major league team’s plans for 2017.

Braves vice chairman John Schuerholz told the Braves Banter blog talk radio show that Albies fractured the olecranon bone, which is located at the tip of the elbow. He was examined Thursday by Dr. James Andrews, who has a clinic near Pensacola.

“That’s a tough loss for us,” Schuerholz said, “but he’s young, he’s a strong-bodied guy, and I don’t have any worries about his being able to get back soon and be battling for a big-league spot in spring training next year.”

Braves will open SunTrust Park on March 31st vs. Yankees

While the Braves may have to wait until mid-April to play their first regular season home game in Cobb County, they’ll be having a dress rehearsal a couple of weeks before that fateful day. The Braves announced that they’ll be hosting the Yankees in an exhibition game on March 31st. This game will reportedly only be open to “A-List” members — or anybody else who can somehow get their hands on a ticket.

MLB NEWS

Tim Tebow signs with New York Mets

While the Atlanta Braves were largely believed to be the favorites to sign former NFL quarterback and current SEC Network football pundit Tim Tebow to a minor league deal, some other teams quietly swooped in to the “sweepstakes.” As a result, the team that ended up getting Tebow’s signature was the New York Mets. So much for that pipe dream, as far as the Braves are concerned! Meanwhile, our friends over at Amazin Avenue had a sense of humor about the signing.

Yankees pick up fifth straight victory and are solidly in playoff race

Hey, remember when the New York Yankees either sold off, cut, or benched the majority of their high-priced veterans in an effort to jumpstart a youth movement that surely marked the end of their season? As it turned out, their selling at the trade deadline has done the exact opposite of what everyone figured — the Yankees are actually good now, and they’re making a huge surge in both the AL Wild Card race and the AL East race. The Yankees beat the Rays in walk-off fashion last night, and while they’re still in fourth place in the East, they’re only four games behind the Red Sox for first place in the division and they’re only two games out of a Wild Card spot. This is the race that you should keep your eyes on.