14's Blog about Sports that don't suck.

I don't know how many of you watched the Braves-Marlins game last night, but I felt like those of you that were saw an important step in the development of Jo-Jo Reyes. Was it his best start? No. Was it still pretty solid? Emphatic YES. But what I finally saw was the type of pure stuff I've been looking for. I've always been sold on Reyes' fastball. But last night I really saw the slider for what it is: a lefty killer. Reyes didn't K many last night(4, I think) but they were impressive. A 2 strike count, a sweeping curve/slider(not entirely sure which he was throwing, if not both), a weak wave from the lefty batter, and a K. I've always thought Jo-Jo had the makings of someone with a long career ahead of him, but last night I saw the makings of a guy who has a long career as a high end starter ahead of him

Now on the the 2nd part of this post: Jair Jurrjens. As you have all seen, triple J has enjoyed one of the more successful rookie seasons of 2008. Edinson Volquez? No. But very, very solid. A guy with very good control and a slider he needs to use more. Another high end starter.

So, for those of you that have talked about how old the Braves rotation is, and how this is their last chance; think again. With Hudson, Jurrjens, and Reyes lined up to be at the top of the rotation for years to come, I'm not exactly worried.

Jo-Jo and JJ

Does Jair's middle name start with a J (I noticed you called him triple J)? Not that this has anything to do with anything but I am now curious if there have been any other MLB players with the initials JJJ. Like good old Ugeth Urbina was the only player to have UUU...

But to the point you made yes I agree Jo-Jo is coming along nicely, and who knows if this Morton kid in the minors can translate that stuff up in the majors then we will really be set.

Jo-Jo and JJ

After last season I could not understand why Bobby Cox stayed so high on Jo-Jo Reyes. He showed me nothing last year to make me feel he would ever be a solid major league starter. Boy was I wrong.This season is like night and day from last for him. He seems to have so much more confidence.

As for Jair Jurrjens, I thought he would be very good right away. I saw him pitch twice here in Orlando during spring training. It was obvious he had a great arm.The most impressive thing about JJ so far is his vetran like ability to minimize the damage when an inning starts to go bad.

I do have one concern for both of these guys and Jorge Campillo also. I took a quick look at there career numbers.None of the 3 have ever thrown 150 inn. in a season before. We will be asking all of them to go beyond that this year. I hope that they have something left for Sept. when we need it most.

I really enjoy your blog, thanks for taking the time to do it. GO BRAVES

Ryanh02 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 15, 2008	Posted on: June 4, 2008 5:21 pm Score: 91 Jo-Jo and JJ Does Jair's middle name start with a J (I noticed you called him triple J)? Not that this has anything to do with anything but I am now curious if there have been any other MLB players with the initials JJJ. Like good old Ugeth Urbina was the only player to have UUU... But to the point you made yes I agree Jo-Jo is coming along nicely, and who knows if this Morton kid in the minors can translate that stuff up in the majors then we will really be set. [ Reply to Comment ]
14 Straight Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 29, 2008	Posted on: June 4, 2008 9:19 pm Score: 92 Jo-Jo and JJ Does Jair's middle name start with a J (I noticed you called him triple J)?No, but he has 2 J's in his last name, thus "triple J". No idea if any major leaguer had the initals JJJ. [ Reply to Comment ]
The Nite Owl Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 22, 2008	Posted on: June 5, 2008 12:32 pm Score: 66 Jo-Jo and JJ After last season I could not understand why Bobby Cox stayed so high on Jo-Jo Reyes. He showed me nothing last year to make me feel he would ever be a solid major league starter. Boy was I wrong.This season is like night and day from last for him. He seems to have so much more confidence. As for Jair Jurrjens, I thought he would be very good right away. I saw him pitch twice here in Orlando during spring training. It was obvious he had a great arm.The most impressive thing about JJ so far is his vetran like ability to minimize the damage when an inning starts to go bad. I do have one concern for both of these guys and Jorge Campillo also. I took a quick look at there career numbers.None of the 3 have ever thrown 150 inn. in a season before. We will be asking all of them to go beyond that this year. I hope that they have something left for Sept. when we need it most. I really enjoy your blog, thanks for taking the time to do it. GO BRAVES [ Reply to Comment ]
The Nite Owl Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 22, 2008	Posted on: June 5, 2008 12:36 pm Score: 68 Jo-Jo and JJ By the way 14, unless Jay Bruce is on your fantasy team, that avatar has to go! You do realize that the walk-off in that picture was against the Braves. [ Reply to Comment ]
14 Straight Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 29, 2008	Posted on: June 5, 2008 2:45 pm Score: 93 Jo-Jo and JJ You do realize that the walk-off in that picture was against the Braves.Yes, I know. I lost a bet with a dude in my fantasy league. It comes down Saturday. [ Reply to Comment ]
The Nite Owl

14 Straight

Jo-Jo and JJ

Jo-Jo and JJ

Jo-Jo and JJ

Jo-Jo and JJ

Jo-Jo and JJ

Jo-Jo and JJ