With all the young talent going through, itd be bad not to start thinking about guys we have to hang on to to be competitive for the next 10-15 years. These are my impressions, and this list assumes no drastic regressions.

Brandon Beachy

Mike Minor (these starting pitchers might be the new Glavine and Smoltz, seemingly good friends who push each other, and ive long been a minor supporter)

Craig Kimbrel(Unless something injures craig, venters is to good to keep as a setup man)

Freddie Freeman

Jason Heyward

ON THE EDGE
Guys that show promise but need to prove more.

Julio Teheran

Randal Delgado(he is getting really close)

Juan Francisco

I cant believe I wanted the braves to trade beachy.

I admit i didnt think much of him either. he really proved me wrong.

the only thing missing is a twinge bit more of curveball command which will come eventually, then he'll be devastating since more guys will chase that pitch off of highh gas.

Beachy and Minor have grown up fast. They look like seasoned pitchers out there. If only J.J. could get back to form.

came in to participate in a discussion about this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cudK8MwW64I/TKQQ1tUYJPI/AAAAAAAArQE/A5HFSnMTVy4/s1600/the_core_DVD_HilarySwank.jpg

... left disappointed. feelsbadman.jpg

Ten to fifteen years? Of the starting position players, I'd guess only Freeman might be on the team ten years from now. Of the starting pitchers, maybe one remains, and predicting which one is impossible. All the bullpen will have turned over, probably several times. Forget about 15 years from now. No one will remain, and we don't have a clue who will take their places.

If the window of time was shortened to 5 years:

Keeper pitchers: Beachy, Minor, Venters, & Kimbrel

Position players: Freeman, and if Heyward gets to around .280-20HR-80 RBIs, I'll add him. Still watching to be sure he 'll do it. I would add McCann (bad defense aside) but in 5 years I think he'll be DH-ing in the AL)

On the edge: agree with all of Teheran, Delgado & Francisco. All show promise, but not enough (yet) to be a keeper in 5 years

"With all the young talent going through, itd be bad not to start thinking about guys we have to hang on to to be competitive for the next 10-15 years."

Well, as fans, it really doesn't matter if we don't start thinking about who we want to hang on to. :D