Fragmentsofme
11-20-2003, 12:11 PM
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/atl/news/atl_news.jsp?ymd=20031118&content_id=605554&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
ATLANTA -- Ryan Langerhans' final preparation before making his first legitimate Major League audition has been halted because of an infection in his right knee.
Langerhans, a 23-year-old outfielder who has gotten a taste of the Majors each of the past two seasons, contracted the infection last week.
"We don't believe it's anything serious," Braves director of player personnel Dayton Moore said. "But instead of having him just sit down there and not knowing, we figured it would be best to bring him up here and have it checked out."
If all goes as expected, Langerhans should be available to the Gigantes team by the beginning of next week.
Langerhans cut himself last week while sliding and, a few days later, noticed swelling and had a fever. Before contracting the infection, he had batted .404 in just more than 40 at-bats.
"Duane Larsen, one of our scouts, is down there and he said that Ryan was playing real well," Moore said. "All of our reports on him have been very good."
Langerhans, a third-round selection in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft, has always been regarded as a top prospect because of his defense. But as his offense has improved over the past few months, so, too, have his chances of beginning the 2004 season in Atlanta.
"He's ready to compete," Moore said. "[Braves manager] Bobby [Cox] and [general manager] John [Schuerholz] will decide who makes the team. But, yes, Ryan is ready to compete for a job in Spring Training."
Langerhans began the 2003 season with Double-A Greenville, where he had played in 2002. He hit just .253 for the Greenville Braves but was named the starting center fielder in the Southern League All-Star Game.
Moore promoted Langerhans to Triple-A Richmond on July 24, and the young outfielder responded by batting .280 with four homers in 132 at-bats. The improvement was a sign he probably was ready for the next level.
"He's a very good defensive outfielder who tracks the ball real well," Moore said. "As soon as he became more of an offensive player, we knew that he'd be ready to be an everyday player in the Majors. He had a limited number of at-bats in Richmond, but, still, that is very encouraging."
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
If Shef goes to the Yanks, this is probably who will replace him. Hopefully he can produce.
ATLANTA -- Ryan Langerhans' final preparation before making his first legitimate Major League audition has been halted because of an infection in his right knee.
Langerhans, a 23-year-old outfielder who has gotten a taste of the Majors each of the past two seasons, contracted the infection last week.
"We don't believe it's anything serious," Braves director of player personnel Dayton Moore said. "But instead of having him just sit down there and not knowing, we figured it would be best to bring him up here and have it checked out."
If all goes as expected, Langerhans should be available to the Gigantes team by the beginning of next week.
Langerhans cut himself last week while sliding and, a few days later, noticed swelling and had a fever. Before contracting the infection, he had batted .404 in just more than 40 at-bats.
"Duane Larsen, one of our scouts, is down there and he said that Ryan was playing real well," Moore said. "All of our reports on him have been very good."
Langerhans, a third-round selection in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft, has always been regarded as a top prospect because of his defense. But as his offense has improved over the past few months, so, too, have his chances of beginning the 2004 season in Atlanta.
"He's ready to compete," Moore said. "[Braves manager] Bobby [Cox] and [general manager] John [Schuerholz] will decide who makes the team. But, yes, Ryan is ready to compete for a job in Spring Training."
Langerhans began the 2003 season with Double-A Greenville, where he had played in 2002. He hit just .253 for the Greenville Braves but was named the starting center fielder in the Southern League All-Star Game.
Moore promoted Langerhans to Triple-A Richmond on July 24, and the young outfielder responded by batting .280 with four homers in 132 at-bats. The improvement was a sign he probably was ready for the next level.
"He's a very good defensive outfielder who tracks the ball real well," Moore said. "As soon as he became more of an offensive player, we knew that he'd be ready to be an everyday player in the Majors. He had a limited number of at-bats in Richmond, but, still, that is very encouraging."
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
If Shef goes to the Yanks, this is probably who will replace him. Hopefully he can produce.