As should be the case, the last few days have been slow going in the baseball world. However, I still have some links worth checking out, if just to ignore your family for a few minutes on Christmas Eve.
↵Julio Teheran vs. Cal League All-Stars, via Baseball-Intellect. I highly value that site's reports and analysis, and I always make sure to catch their prospect lists. Teheran, the Braves' number one prospect, was recently analyzed by the guys of Baseball-Intellect, and it's definitely worth checking out. Subscription is required.
↵A scouting report on Phillies outfield prospect Domonic Brown, via Baseball Analytics. The report exposes Brown's weakness with balls up and in due to high hands, and it's interesting to see the story the heat maps tells. This is something to watch and see if the Braves are able to take advantage of as Brown plays full time this coming season.
↵One of my favorite SB Nation blogs, Over the Monster, gives a vote of confidence to Jarrod Saltalamacchia as starting catcher of the Red Sox. The former Brave has not been treated well since being traded to Texas in the Mark Teixeira deal, constantly moving from AAA to a Majors bench without full time to continue development. Time is on his side, however, because catchers commonly bloom late, and Salty is only 25. I wish him the best of luck in Boston.
↵Vince Caramela of the Hardball Times analyzes Ricky Nolasco's high ERAs and home run rates, furthering the proof that his peripherals mean he should see lower ERAs for the duration of his three-year extension. Nolasco naturally allows more hard hit balls and home runs to left-handed batters, but lucky for him Sun Life Stadium suppresses them well.