Heyward is hoping that less means more this season

--RF Jason Heyward might be smaller, thanks to dropping nearly 20 pounds in the offseason, but his smile is bigger. After working with new hitting coach Greg Walker and his assistant, Scott Fletcher, he has regained the hitting mechanics that went haywire last season, when he struggled because of shoulder and thumb injuries.

--3B Chipper Jones took three perfect swings left-handed in the cage this week, then noted wryly: "I guess I'd better work right-handed." He isn't satisfied yet with where he's getting his hands set when he hits from the right-hand side of the box.

--RHP Craig Kimbrel is working on locating his changeup, which he may use during the season if he's able to master it. But even if it's not ready for prime time, throwing it helps stretch him out for his fastball. He has yet to throw his curveball.

--LHP Mike Minor, vying again this spring for the fifth starter's job, said: "All my pitches are everywhere right now." His says his arm feels good, but that it's lagging and he isn't following through. Fortunately, he knows the point of the Braves' early throwing program is to get these preseason inconsistencies out of the way.

--RHP Tim Hudson, who underwent surgery to repair a disc in his back late in November, had been playing light catch in his yard until begin cleared by doctors this week to increase his throwing.

BY THE NUMBERS
3 -- Starting players under 22 for the Braves, if SS prospect Tyler Pastornicky joins 1B Freddie Freeman and RF Jason Heyward.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"He's going to be the vampire coach!" -- Manager Fredi Gonzalez, joking that assistant hitting coach Scott Fletcher will be watching so much video, he'll never see the light of day.

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