Skip to main content

Talking Chop

Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braves

Total reads

5,773

This week

77

Rank

#22 of 455

Published

2,368 posts

Active 61.1 posts/week Last post about 3 hours ago
Last 12 weeks

Most read posts

Featured on Sportsblogs

Run this blog? Add the badge to your site to show readers you're featured — it links back to this page.

Featured on Sportsblogs

Latest Entries

What if MLB moved to a hard slot system?

No polemic or argument here — just a what if. You fill in the blanks. The Rule 4 MLB Draft is weird. On its face, without any historical context, it’s just a way of adding younger players to organizations in a structured way. Worse teams pick before better teams, and it loops around until there […]

MLB

Braves News: All-Star Game, draft pick signing tracker, and more

The 2026 All-Star Game has come and gone, and the American League defeated the National League 4-0. Though the final score was not ideal, the Atlanta Braves had five All-Stars, four of which played. Ozzie Albies, Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson, and Raisel Iglesias each made an appearance.  Albies and Baldwin earned the starts for the […]

American League pitching dominates NL in 4-0 win

The American League and The National League took the field at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for the ninety-sixth All-Star Game. This is the fifth All-Star Game in history hosted in Philadelphia, and the first since 1996. Speaking of the number five, the Atlanta Braves had five representatives on the NL All-Star roster. Drake Baldwin […]

MLB

2026 MLB All Star Game chat and discussion

Alright, folks. It’s finally here: Ozzie Albies and Drake Baldwin are in the starting lineup for the National League and will rep the Atlanta Braves to begin this season’s MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. They’ll be joined by Matt Olson, Chris Sale and Raisel Iglesias, making it five Braves representatives for this season’s Midsummer Classic. […]

Atlanta Braves 2026 MLB Draft Pick Signing Tracker

The 2026 MLB Draft is in the books and the Atlanta Braves had a huge year with a lot of interesting players to follow. The Braves held their highest pick since 2019 and with that and their extra pick due to the Prospect Promotion Incentive, they had a massive bonus pool to work with that […]

MLB

Braves fans sound off on their ideal All-Star Game

Somehow, the 2026 All-Star break is here. What a first half for the Atlanta Braves. We’ve run the emotional gamut in this 55-40 record – delirious joy, abysmal lows, and all the in-between. Much like the summer temperatures, a certain divisional race is heating up. But a two-game lead, no matter how tenuous, is still […]

MLB

All-Star Conversation: Chris Sale cherishes his 10th-career Midsummer Classic

The Atlanta Braves will be well represented at the 2026 All-Star Game. Veteran left-hander Chris Sale is part of a five-player contingent set to suit up when the National League battles the American League at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Sale will be flanked by second baseman Ozzie Albies, catcher Drake Baldwin, […]

Who’s your favorite 2026 MLB Draft pick?

For some reason, the MLB Draft was over the weekend. But, it’s over now. Lots of teams made lots of picks. Who was your favorite? I like to scan the draft tracker for things with even a vague personal connection, but there weren’t many of those this year, and those are harder to come by […]

MLB

Braves News: Ronald Acuna Jr. Begins Rehab Stint, Home Run Derby, More

With the All-Star Break here, much of the baseball world has a bit of time away from the diamond. However, there are still some games going on in the minors. And for the Braves, that meant the return to action for Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim. Both Kim and Acuna Jr. had multiple at-bats […]

2026 MLB Home Run Derby chat and discussion

The All-Star break is here, which means that it’s time for the actual big leaguers to take center stage for the next couple of days. Tonight, we’re going to see eight of baseball’s biggest sluggers take to the plate and swing for the fences in this year’s edition of the Home Run Derby. What channel […]

MLB

Ozzie Albies batting sixth, Drake Baldwin ninth in 2026 All-Star Game starting lineup

The managers for the 2026 All-Star Game have officially announced their starting pitchers and lineups for tomorrow night’s Midsummer Classic.  Ozzie Albies and Drake Baldwin earned their places as starters during the All-Star fan voting and will bat sixth and ninth, respectively. The National League starting lineup, managed by LA’s Dave Roberts, is as follows: […]

Ozzie Albies is thankful for returning to All-Star status

When the Atlanta Braves’ 2026 All-Stars were revealed just over a week ago, Ozzie Albies earned the distinction for the fourth time in his career. Though it might seem rote for a veteran player by that point, Albies believes this may be his most meaningful trip to the midsummer classic yet. Beginning with a key […]

MLB

A Closer Look at Braves 11th Round Pick Ryne Barker

With their 11th round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Arizona prep infielder Ryne Barker. Barker is an older for the prep class prep infielder with a very interesting mix of tools who probably would have ranked higher if not for both age and a more limited track record in […]

A Closer Look at Braves 7th Round Pick Jack Brenner

With their 7th round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Wisconsin prep catcher Jack Brenner. Brenner is a sleeper catcher with a promising bat for the position and a chance to develop further as a cold weather prep. Bio Name: Jack Brenner Position: Catcher Hometown: Fond du Lac, WI (Fond […]

Ronald Acuña Jr., Ha-Seong Kim begin rehab today in Florida

Happy All-Star break to all who celebrate. May we all come away from this refreshed and ready for what awaits us in the next half, which kicks off Friday at home versus the Rangers. This week is for rest and recovery, but also a secret third R: rehab. The Braves (55-40) have announced that Ronald […]

Will the Braves be better in the “second half?”

This is kind of a weird question, but hear me out. As it stands right now, the Braves are on pace for a 94-win season. That’s pretty good! Of course, you all know about how June (especially June 9-30) was a nightmare, and the best the Braves have managed since is .500 ball. So, at […]

Braves News: First Half Ends With Win, MLB Draft, more

With the All-Star Break now here, it was a busy weekend on and off the field for every MLB team. For the Braves, they were able to end the first half of the season on a positive note with a win over the Cardinals. Though they lost the series, the Braves now get a chance […]

MLB Draft Day 2: Atlanta Braves Tracker and Open Thread

The Braves had a whirlwhind day one of the 2026 MLB draft, taking five players overall who all are due to slot in the top 20 of the system immediately upon signing. Yet even going with likely over slot pitchers in the second through fourth rounds there is still a feeling they have the wiggle […]

MLB

Braves avoid sweep before going into All-Star break

The Atlanta Braves took a 4-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals, and though they didn’t win the battle, they’ve won the war… or at least avoided being swept after dropping the series. Does that still count? The sunny days just might be here again. The Cardinals kicked off their bid on the scoreboard after […]

Braves Select Tyson Grulkowski in 6th Round of 2026 MLB Draft

With the 112th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Wisconsin prep right hander Tyson Grulkowski. Grulkowski is a cold weather arm with a mix of frame and stuff where he is an intriguing add for the Braves system. Bio Name: Tyson Grulkowski Position: Right Handed Pitcher Hometown: Muskego, WI (Muskego […]

Why AJ Gracia is a Home Run Pick for the Braves

Holding the 9th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, The Atlanta Braves had their highest slot since 2019. With the intention of contending for the foreseeable future they had only one chance to grab a truly premium talent in to add to the system, and even with top prospects falling in their lap they […]