Below are parts of an interesting article that Baseball America ran about the successful Braves farm system.
"John Schuerholz stresses that every decision we make is one that is made for three to five years in the future," farm director Dayton Moore says. "We've stayed consistent with that approach. We're always moving forward and aggressively trying to stay ahead of the curve by evaluating our organization for both today and in the future."
To a man, everyone in the organization agrees Cox deserves much of the praise for making the most of what the farm system produces. Once considered a manager who preferred a veteran roster, Cox has evolved as he has worked in young players such as the Joneses, Furcal and Giles and groomed them into big league regulars.
Cox, who returned to the dugout in 1990 after rejoining Atlanta in 1985, heads an on-field staff that makes a 10-year veteran of the organization look like a beginner. High Class A Myrtle Beach manager Randy Ingle and Double-A Mississippi skipper Brian Snitker have been in the organization for more than two decades. The same holds true for coaches Rick Albert and Bruce Dal Canton. Heading the instruction are such baseball lifers as field coordinator Chino Cadahia, pitching coordinator Bill Fischer and field supervisor Jim Beauchamp.
And while most minor league instructors long to reach the big leagues, the Braves' coaches and managers take pride in knowing their efforts serve as significant building blocks for championship teams in Atlanta.
"I think most of the guys we develop come up with an attitude that everything is done to help the major league club win games," scouting director Roy Clark says. "Once they get to Atlanta, Bobby does a great job of instilling that team-first approach. People don't see it, but he's a great motivator, always encouraging and never negative."
Scouting also plays a key role, especially because few teams are more careful than Atlanta about filling minor league roster spots with players that have a realistic shot at contributing in the major leagues. With few exceptions, the Braves eschew roster fillers who are signed simply to play alongside prospects.
"We put a great emphasis on the fact that as long as a player has a Braves uniform on, he has a chance," Moore says. "We tell them over and over that they're here because someone thinks they could one day help our major league club. Once the day comes when we feel they will not be able to contribute, we move on and give someone else an opportunity. We preach that day in and day out."
