23-year old righty starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens has been outstanding this season for the Braves. He has started 33 games this season for the Braves and he is 14-10 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. The Tigers will likely never answer the phone ever again when the Braves are calling. The Braves only gave up the washed up Edgar Renteria to get Jurrjens from the Tigers. The Tigers have also likely never forgot when the Braves traded Doyle Alexander to them for a young kid named John Smoltz. Jurrjens has now started 64 games in his career for the Braves and he is 27-20 with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. What a steal this kid has been and he is a part of a very bright future for the Braves.

23-year old righty starting pitcher Tommy Hanson came into this season as the best prospect in the Braves’ system according to Baseball America. He started the year in AAA and he earned his call up to the Braves in only 11 starts there in which he was 3-3 with a 1.49 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. The Braves had no choice but to call up Hanson as they needed help in the starting rotation. He has started 19 games so far for the Braves and he is 10-4 with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. In 113 2/3 innings for the Braves this season Hanson has only allowed 96 hits while whiffing 100 batters. The only chink in his armor so far in the majors is his control as he has walked 43 batters this year. That’s nitpicking though as Hanson has the look of a #1 pitcher in a starting rotation at the major league level.

Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox signed a one-year extension with the Braves for the 2010 season.  Cox has announced that he will then retire from managing after the 2010 season and then will become a consultant and adviser for the Braves for five years.  Cox is currently the 4th winningest manger in major league history.  He is behind current St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa, then John McGraw, and then the winningest manager of all-time Connie Mack.

Matt Diaz was hurt most of last season and it showed in his stat line. But, he’s back healthy this season and he’s ripping the baseball for the Braves. Diaz has played in 117 games for the Braves this season and he is 110 for 343 (.321 avg, .896 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 12 homers, 53 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. The Braves should really consider letting Diaz play full time next season instead of platooning him.

37-year old switch hitting 3B Chipper Jones is considering retirement after a extended slump. He has played in 131 games this season for the Braves and he is 121 for 447 (.271 avg, .832 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 17 homers, 68 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Jones has been the heart and soul of the Braves since he got to Atlanta and it would be a huge loss for them if he calls it quits. Jones has played in 2,154 games for the Braves and he is 2,398 for 7,784 (.308 avg, .949 OPS) with 1,450 runs scored, 425 homers, 1,442 RBIs and 142 stolen bases.

27-year old lefty swinging outfielder Nate McLouth has played well since coming over from the Pirates. He has played in 72 games for the Braves this season and he is 81 for 291 (.278 avg, .806 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 9 homers, 32 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. The Braves love his all out style so he will be a player they try to build around in the future.

Bobby Cox has stated that he does not know if he will be back with the Atlanta Braves next year, which would be his 25th year with the club.  Cox had hinted at retiring in the past, even saying he would be done after the 2008 season, but his love of the game and competitive fire keeps him coming back.  Cox is now 68-years-old and the Braves have missed the playoffs the past three seasons.  With the Braves 7.5 games back in their division and 5 games back in the wild card, it looks like it will be four consecutive seasons of missing the postseason for Cox and the Braves.

Cox is one of the most successful managers ever as he is 4th all-time in wins and won 14 straight National League East titles, five pennants and a World Series title with the Braves.  Although the Braves have not been as successful recently with Cox as they were in the past, I think Cox should come back for his 25th season with the Braves and try to make at least one more run at the postseason and another World Series Title.  Bobby Cox is one of the top managers of all time and if he still feels like he is up to the task, then the Braves should welcome him with open arms next year.

The Braves know that Adam LaRoche is a slow starter who finishes strong and that’s why they jumped at the opportunity to acquire him from the Red Sox. All they had to give up to get him was Casey Kotchman! Amazing! LaRoche has played in 40 games for the Braves since arriving from Boston and he is 52 for 148 (.351 avg, 1.072 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 12 homers and 30 RBIs. Expect him to finish this season strong.

Tim Hudson won his first start since last July on Tuesday night, pitching 5 1/3 of six-hit ball in sparking a 4-3 Atlanta victory over the Florida Marlins.

The former Braves ace returned to the mound after 13 months of rehabilitation following surgery.  Hudson had a ligament replaced in his throwing elbow after experiencing discomfort on July 23, 2008.

Despite the break, Hudson looked strong in his  first start of the season.  He only allowed two earned runs while working into the sixth inning, striking out five and walking three.  He managed the near-quality start with only 82 pitches.

Hudson was a two-time All Star with the Oakland Athletics before being traded to the Braves in 2004.  Between 2005-2008, Hudson became arguably Atlanta’s most reliable pitcher: He was 54-38 with a 3.78 ERA over that span.