THE Atlanta Braves Morning Chop

Before Football, Urban Meyer Played Minor League Ball For Atlanta Braves

STAFF / THE POSTGAME.COM

Urban Meyer the football coach almost never happened. Long before he had his sights set on running a football team, Meyer was a promising two-sport athlete who was drafted out of high school by the Atlanta Braves.

Meyer was taken in the 13th round of the 1982 MLB draft, and he was designated to the minors. Apparently, he pursued a professional baseball career while simultaneously attending University of Cincinnati and playing defensive back.

A baseball career never materialized, though. Meyer only played in 44 games over two seasons, hitting .182 with one home run and 11 RBI. He was waived after two seasons — officially by a guy named Hank Aaron, it turns out — and quit baseball due to various injuries.

[ Ed. note:  the article shows a pic of the Braves organizational record book from 1983, listing Meyer as a shortstop.  Also that two rounds after Meyer was drafted, there was a kid named Jose Canseco that was picked up by the Oakland A’s ]

Here are Meyer’s stats as a Brave:

 

Chopcast: Where do Braves starters rank among NL East’s best?

THE STAFF OF FOXSPORTS.COM

• Nationals:  4 starters in the top 15

Interesting point made in the podcast:  the Nationals have multiple pitchers that have struggled mightily against Atlanta.  However, some of the hitters giving the most problems to Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez are no longer in town.  Additionally, Strasburg may have exorcised his own demons with a late-season wipeout of Atlanta.

Lots of good words about

Alex Wood

on the podcast. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Braves’ Rankings:

• Shelby Miller (14)
• Alex Wood (7)
• Julio Teheran (3)

Mets:  DeGrom (8), Colon (14), Wheeler (6), Harvey (5)

Marlins:  Hernandez (15), Latos (12), Alvarez (11)

Nationals:  Gio (10), Fister (9), Strasburg (1), Zimmermann (2)

Phillies:  Hamels (4)

2015 Outlook: Atlanta Braves

MARK ZUCKERMAN / CSNWASHINGTON.COM

Key additions: RHP Shelby Miller, OF Nick Markakis, INF Alberto Callaspo, C A.J. Pierzynski, RHP Jason Grilli, RHP Jim Johnson

Key losses: OF Justin Upton, OF Jason Heyward, RHP Ervin Santana, RHP Kris Medlen, RHP Aaron Harang, C Ryan Doumit, C Gerald Laird, RHP Anthony Varvaro, RHP David Carpenter, RHP Jordan Walden

Projected lineup
RF Nick Markakis
2B Alberto Callaspo
1B Freddie Freeman
LF Evan Gattis
3B Chris Johnson
SS Andrelton Simmons
CF B.J. Upton
C Christian Bethancourt

Projected rotation
RHP Julio Teheran
LHP Mike Minor
RHP Shelby Miller
LHP Alex Wood
RHP David Hale

Biggest questions entering 2015

1. What’s the short-term effect of John Hart‘s long-term plan?

2. Can this lineup score enough runs?

3. Can the rest of the bullpen get the ball to Kimbrel with a lead?