Last January, the Braves staged a rookie camp at Turner Field, designed to give 26 key prospects from all levels of the organization a taste of what goes on at the major league level.
They stayed at the hotel they would stay in if they were called up mid-season, get them used to being in the clubhouse, use the batting cages, work out on the (then ice-covered) field and meet the local reporters.
Former manager Bobby Cox told them that hard work would get them further than talent, and right-hander Tim Hudson, catcher Brian McCann, right fielder Jason Heyward and third baseman Chipper Jones discussed handling injuries, staying in the majors once one gets there and whatever topics the prospects brought up.
As much as anything, they were fascinated by the contents of Australian right-handed set-up man Peter Moylan's locker.
Moylan may or may not be ready to go by opening day; he was non-tendered after back and shoulder surgery but has just signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Similarly, the camp is in holding mode. It was envisioned as an annual thing at the time, but because the top prospects have already been through it, the Braves are skipping a year and planning to hold it again in 2013.
It isn't simply that the most promising candidates have already made the trip to the ballpark, but that the top prospects actually ended up on the major league roster at various points last season. Especially the young pitchers.
And yes, bringing two dozen players to town for a week costs money. The Braves aren't throwing any of that around.
Note that it was only after signing all of the arbitration-eligible players without going to hearings that general manager Frank Wren was able to extend that contract to Moylan. He had to know what his budget was first.
In any case, the carrot of a peek at the major league clubhouse is not going to cut it in certain quarters this season. But right-hander Julio Teheran and right-hander Randall Delgado will most likely find themselves starting at Triple-A Gwinnett, getting more seasoning. Both can benefit from that.
Teheran, specifically, knows that he's still "learning his mind," as he puts it. He knows that he has the talent to do it, so he is focusing on how the hitters are approaching each at-bat.
It's not so much about doing anything with his pitches as it is learning to anticipate what adjustments hitters will make.
At rookie camp a year ago, Teheran said that while his goal was to be in the big leagues, but he wasn't desperate to get there that season. But he did. This spring he'll be working on his bringing his curve ball up to the level of his fastball and changeup.
