Experimental rules, Touki's talent teases & Michael Harris flashes promise

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/755isrealThe baseball offices of O'Brien and O'Flaherty are open this St. Patrick's Day, as the two kick off the show discussing experimental rules implemented at the minor league level (2:00). Are bigger bags necessary? What about the shift rule? Established players, like Jason Kipnis and Jake Lamb, are participating in Braves Spring Training, but could any of them become serviceable bench players (23:15)? The two also inspect which veterans would make great coaches (34:30). Touki Toussaint and Kyle Wright are jousting for Atlanta's fifth start position, and though both have shown they are capable, starting-caliber players, it's been a mixed bag in Spring Training (42:30). What will it take for Toussaint to live up to his potential, and what adjustments did he make in the off-season (59:00)? DOB and EOF also chat about Drew Smyly's ST (1:01:00) before reacting to 19-year-old Michael Harris' promising Spring (1:05:00).Follow David on Twitter: @DOBrienATLFollow Eric on Twitter: @EOF34 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.