iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

For my collecting friends out there, you may want to go ahead and get whatever Drake Baldwin cards you want now. I don't think they are getting any cheaper.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Build the Dom Smith statue outside of Truist now.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

It appears as though the fears about Reynaldo's velo were a bit premature. Looks pretty good so far.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Diego Tornes. Really young, but he has a chance to be a "dude" for sure

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Mild worry mainly because we have just heard literally nothing about the Braves trying to pursue an extension. That said, Atlanta probably doesn't want to have that conversation until after this season to see if he is healthy.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

It is a fair question and looking at player development practices is fair as well. However, part of the issue is that the Braves have be bold about acquiring guys with previous injuries (Schwellenbach, Strider, Sale, etc.) and that increases the risk.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Riley I think will be fine. I am much less bullish on Ozzie with all of his injuries and the nature of his decline. That makes me sad.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Since it is Opening Day for most everyone else, lets do a bit of a Q&A. Ask me anything.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

It is deeply upsetting that the Braves don't play until tomorrow while most of the rest of the league gets to have fun today. Full on Squidward meme situation.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

I would disagree if they were having to do so on the fly in time for the season as that seems very hard for anyone. For the moment, it seems as though they have been planning for this and I will give them the benefit of the doubt.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Pretty wild that the Braves are reportedly forming their own network and there has been nothing official from any of the beat writers. Feels like there are a lot of moving parts here.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

I'm not crying. You're crying. Andruw Jones: Hall of Famer

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Why are you the way that you are? (Love you)

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

I suspect they probably will, but I also think what happened to the Braves last year was an aberration. Not exactly a lot of other teams that lose their ENTIRE Opening Day starting rotation.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Respectfully disagree that is the only one among Caminiti, Ritchie, and Murphy that sort of potential, although I think it is unlikely for any of them.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

It is a bit early for me to project that especially since their pick is sort of an awkward spot. Basically, if one of good college bats drops to them, they should probably do that. Otherwise, we need more info from this spring. I would do unspeakable things for Roch Cholowsky, though.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

It is also possible that they don't need a starter. Assuming everything is true about the starters who are getting healthy, the Braves don't have a volume of arms problem. Feels like they will pounce if the right opportunity comes along, but thats it.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Caminiti and it isn't that close. Still needs seasoning whereas Ritchie and Murphy are both pretty close to the majors.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

$20 million is a decent chunk of change for one year, but everyone seems to be getting that this offseason. Hope his bat is pretty good, because I don't think that is a sure thing.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

My honest answer is after the new CBA is done and I know that isn't a sexy answer. I think he wants to stay and I think the Braves want to keep him. However, I don't think anyone wants to have talks without knowing the rules of the game. Thankfully, his options buy time.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Honestly, it is that they embrace all sorts of information as data. Scouting input is still data. Psychological screening results are still data. They do a lot to try and create a complete picture of guys they like and dislike. Helps that they have really smart scouts and player dev personnel, too

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

It has been a while since I have done much over here (or any socials for that matter), so let's do a Q&A. Ask me anything. Braves, food, TV, whatever.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Charlie Morton retiring as a Braves feels right and is a heartwarming end to a fantastic career. My feelings change dramatically if Atlanta signs him to an extension.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

So when do we build the Ha-Seong Kim statue?

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

So we are just throwing Schwarber hanging curveballs all night and hoping he gets tired for the rest of the series or....

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

It isn't like fans aren't going to notice that a walking, talking white flag is taking the mound and they are going to stay home instead of watch that. Plus, the bullpen is going to get run into the ground with these batting practice pitchers around.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

No one is served with guys like Quantrill/Fedde/whichever terrible starter hits the waiver wire next. Call up JR Ritchie, see where he is at against big league hitters, give him things to work on in the offseason, and then carry him on the Opening Day roster.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

I am reasonably confident it was my boy Adam Maier. He got picked later on day two and got paid.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

I think everyone is in agreement that the Braves have underachieved AND have had a lot of injuries the last two seasons. Just isn't that controversial a thing.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

So at this point, the Braves just need to be asking for volunteers from the stands, right?

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Hey everyone, all you that have followed me from the Talking Chop/Battery Power days likely remember Matt Powers. He is an amateur baseball/draft savant and he just launched a Substack that allows him to go DEEP in his coverage. Consider giving him a sub. It's worth it.

substack.com

Matt Powers | Substack

A deeper dive into my MLB Draft coverage that you see on Battery Power, allowing dig deeper than just from a Braves perspective.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Talking MLB prospects and the Futures Game in a couple minutes live. Be there. www.youtube.com/live/qhNdZ2f...

youtube.com

Top Prospects We Want in the 2025 Futures Game

YouTube video by The Baseball Insiders: A FanSided MLB Podcast

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Build two. Never in doubt. Braves win.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Going for a consult early next month. Stay tuned. Would have gone this month except our AC decided to crap out and I chose life.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Sadly the trade deadline this year is not an ideal place for that.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

The difference to me is that Bichette has at least put together decent defensive seasons before while Allen has always swung a toothpick. And yes, I do think the bat would generally make up for although I would still get mad when he did something dumb.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

He has always been a guy that pops up more than he should. The quality of contact in general is down as it doesn't seem like he can impact the ball. I do wonder if all of the injuries are starting to catch up with him or if a lighter bat would help.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Hmm...this is a toughie. In no order, I will say Jake Bird, Bo Bichette, and Kyle Finnegan for sure. Really as long as they overhaul the bullpen and try to find a real shortstop, I'm good.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Maybe! College arm with good stuff. Honestly better than some of the other options the Braves keep rolling with night after night (cough Montero cough).

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

I have known for a while that the Braves REALLY love the metrics of Fuentes fastball and I suspect that that is the driving force here. Gives the rotation some extra rest and this is an arm that they do like a lot. Numbers in a small sample don't mean all that much.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Alright, I am on duty this evening anyways, so let's do a Q&A (Braves or whatever). Ask me anything.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Back to back series wins? In this economy?!

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

One more appearance like that one against the Brewers and there will be no stopping Snitker from putting Raisel right back at closer.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Bryce Elder for Cy Young. Build the statue.

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Eric Cole @leprekhan.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

The Braves scout who scouted Spencer Schwellenbach and Drake Baldwin among other Braves draft picks is JD French. He's a great human and was also recently diagnosed with cancer. His treatment plan involves a lot of costly travel. A GoFundMe has been launched to help. www.gofundme.com/f/support-jd...

gofundme.com

Donate to Support JD French's Battle with Cancer, organized by Albert Skorupa

JD French is a Scout with the Atlanta Braves. JD was recently diagnosed with can… Albert Skorupa needs your support for Support JD French's Battle with Cancer

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