LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- As Braves manager Bobby Cox prepared his lineup for Sunday afternoon's game against the Astros, he selfishly wanted to provide himself with yet another day to watch Jason Heyward display his talents.
But after some persuasion from bench coach Chino Cadahia, Cox opted to provide a day of rest to Heyward, who had hit .400 (4-for-10) and seemingly produced a good impression on a daily basis while playing in each of the Braves' previous five Grapefruit League games.
"You've got to use some common sense," Cox said. "As much as I'm selfish and want to watch him play, he needs a breather every once in a while, too.
"He's been outstanding. Every game he's done something good, whether it's baserunning, catching the ball or hitting it or taking walks. His baserunning has been excellent. He's been very, very impressive."
With the baseball world watching intently to gauge whether he's capable of living up to the billing of being the game's top prospect, the 20-year-old Heyward has confidently accepted the challenge the Braves have presented while never shying away from their hope that he will prove he is ready to begin the season as their starting right fielder.
"There's a lot of responsibility on the young man, but so far he seems to be picking it up right where everybody expected him to be," Braves CEO and chairman Terry McGuirk said.
When McGuirk returned to Florida on Saturday, he told a couple reporters that he has spent the past week listening to fans in Atlanta buzz about Heyward, who has mashed cars during batting practice and -- more importantly -- shown the Braves that he already possesses the instincts needed to experience immediate success at the Major League level.
