We're just a few games into the season and already there are several players on pace to provide a whole team's worth of HR all by themselves. Here are a couple of notes you may have missed.
Mat Latos threw a side session over the weekend described as "Fantastic" by his pitching coach. Look for an update after he works today but all signs are that Latos will be ready to go as soon as this weekend.
Carlos Pena has put six balls in play so far this year, five FB and one GB. First, that's a super small sample size. Second, the main reason for his decline last year was a big jump in his GB%. Keep and eye on his batted ball data and if he really can produce more fly balls be prepared for a bounce back season.
Jonathan Papelbon has stated that he intends to use his Slider more this year, perhaps as much as his Splitter. While his Slider produces fewer swings and misses than his Splitter it does seem to produce more called strikes. Also, Daniel Bard says that the pitch has improved, for what that's worth. True to his word, and with another small sample size caveat, Pap threw six Sliders and only four Splitters in his debut on Sunday. On balance, more Sliders is probably a bad thing for Papelbon's fantasy value but if he really has developed the pitch as Bard says then he may have a new weapon.
Craig Kimbrel has the Braves only Save opportunity so far this year and converted it well, allowing no base runners and striking out two. Jonny Venters, meanwhile, has been used in two non-save situations, with decent results-4.50 ERA, .50 WHIP, 0K, 0BB. Until Venters gets thrown into the ninth with a slim lead I'm willing to double down on Kimbrel.
Update: Kimbrel was called on with a one run lead in the ninth today, striking out three and allowing no hits or walks. Venters pitched to one batter in the eighth, inducing a double play ball. How can the manager really go to Venters at this point with Kimbrel posting two perfect saves with five K's in two innings?
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