on his shoulder, and was battling injury all season.

I thought sean had a very slow bat and long swing in his first stint this summer with the angels. I do know that he had some success in september though. I think he started feeling more comfortable at the plate.

But it really struck me as premature to move him off catcher when his bat wasn’t ready to perform anywhere else. His performance would have been a hell of a lot more acceptable from behind the plate, perhaps even encouraging. But he’s really going to have to hit to justify playing third, especially with Alvarez in the system (not that they could have foreseen Alvarez coming).

I heard an interview with the Indy Indian’s batting coach this summer, and not that it makes much difference if he keeps batting .220, but supposedly his defense at third base has come along really well. His bat obviously doesn’t play at the hot corner, but it sounds like his glove at least does.

There’s been some speculation (or maybe just wishful thinking) that Walker could get moved to 2B, where Shelby Ford and Brian Bixler would be his only internal competition once Freddy Sanchez moves. Personally, I think I’d take Ford there right now, but it’s certainly an option.

My guess is Walker improves some next year at AAA, gets some MLB time in 2010, and after bouncing back and forth between Indy and Pittsburgh for a couple years ends up falling into a utility role as a decent power pinch hitting option. Useful, but not what the Buccos were looking for with a first round pick.

I don’t recall the specifics, but off the top of my head, I don’t think it was anything serious. The Braves were just being really cautious.