There are a lot of things to like about Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward.
You could start with his 6'4'', 220-pound frame, something usually found in a linebacker.
You could start with his numerous accolades, including the 2009 USA Today and Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year awards.
You could even start with the fact that he is the prototypical Atlanta prospect: a local boy that only the Braves truly appreciated as a prep star. Sure, Heyward was an All-American in high school, but only the Braves saw his No. 1 prospect potential.
All that being said, the most enjoyable thing about Heyward is his demeanor. He carries himself like a seasoned veteran despite not having a Major League at-bat. Heyward stays after practice to sign autographs for fans, one of the many little acts that separate him from other rookies. Most rookies come into their first season cocky and brash before an upper-90's fastball on the corner of the plate humbles them a little.
Not Heyward.
To use a cliché, Heyward has been a consummate professional. He lets his on-the-field work do the talking for him and he attempts to learn as much as he can from veterans such as third baseman Chipper Jones and center fielder Nate McClouth.
On the field, Heyward has been even more impressive. Despite being hyped as much as any prospect in recent memory, Heyward has exceeded his manager's expectations.
“He makes us a lot better," Atlanta manager Bobby Cox told the Associated Press. "He doesn't just hit, he can do it all. And his makeup is off the charts."
Bobby Cox pouring on praise for a rookie? Get out of here. OK, OK, so Cox is incredibly loyal to his players, maybe even to a fault. He hyped up center fielder Jordan Schafer last year before doing the same for pitcher Tommy Hanson.
Schafer provided incredible defense last season but also broke his hand, resulting in his flirtation with the Mendoza line until he was sent down to the minors.
Hanson lived up to Cox's hype, finishing third in the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year voting.
One out of two ain't bad, right?
Still, despite Cox's lack of restraint when it comes to rookies, Heyward is the real deal. Just ask his future Hall-of-Fame teammate.
Jones has been in the Braves clubhouse almost as long as Cox has. He's seen hotshot prospects rise through the ranks. Some have failed, some have succeeded. No matter what their future held, Jones saw them in their rookie seasons. None have left as much of an impact on the third baseman as Heyward has.
"I couldn't be more impressed," Jones told the AP. "Look out Atlanta. He's going to wow you."
Maybe I'm biased, but if Heyward keeps the same approach that he's had his entire career, he should excel in the National League. He'll have some growing pains, like all rookies, but eventually his talent will overcome those obstacles.
Will he be the greatest player to ever don an Atlanta Braves uniform? Probably not.
Will he carry himself as well as can be expected? One can only hope.
In the end, that's what should be expected from rookies, not just gaudy spring training numbers.
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