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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,241 comments Add your comment
McLouth of the South
July 23rd, 2009
8:58 pm
They lose it gradually not overnight dumbazz…
You don’t go from .811 one year to .441 the next at 37 due to age.
You know what? Never mind…
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
8:59 pm
even though I strongly disagree with your accessment of Kelly Johnson being an “above average player”………
It’s not my own personal assessment. I’ve got nothing invested. It’s purely statistical. Career .270 EqA. .340 wOBA. Those are the very definition of above average by the very way the stats are set up. How do you not get that?
Rob from SC
July 23rd, 2009
8:59 pm
dogsbrekky
July 23rd, 2009
I am not a Kelly Johnson fan at all. However I don’t think he is a lost cause like Francoeur. I would only have brought KJ back up in place of Norton
Kelly Johnson would start for the Twins
John
July 23rd, 2009
8:59 pm
Paul
At least do me this favor…please tell people that Conrad can NOT under any circumstances…play SS…Maybe they will believe you…that don’t believe me…tia
Rob from SC
July 23rd, 2009
9:01 pm
dogsbrekky
You have to remember that people on this board support their favorite players no matter what. I supported Escobar through his difficult times when 80% of this board wanted him gone. Kelly Johnson is not consistent enough for me. But that is only my opinion.
McLouth of the South
July 23rd, 2009
9:03 pm
I never remember 80% wanting him gone. Irrational few making 80% of the posts? Maybe…
keylargo
July 23rd, 2009
9:04 pm
I posted KJ’s stats from last Sept. Did you see them? Better than what Prado has done since he became the starter.
.398 BA
.429 OBP
.643 SLG
1.072 OPS
He did all that against expanded rosters iun meaningless games
RobbfromSC
OK, show me someone else who did this well in meaningless games and expanded rosters.
There are no meaningless games in MLB Robb
Braveheart
July 23rd, 2009
9:04 pm
My pasty white arse got sunburned like you wouldn’t believe at the Ted today. I look ridiculous with how red I am. It was nice to see all the kids in the park today from all the camps. My buddy taught a few of them how to boo, and got them chanting “Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!” when he came on out to argue. Good times. The camp counselors made the kids around us leave the game in bottom of the seventh. The kids weren’t too pleased about it. My buddy chanted at the counselors “Let them stay! Let them stay!” a la the Bad News Bears. Didn’t work though.
flange1
July 23rd, 2009
9:05 pm
Same Old Stuff,
Best post of the week!
McFann :Ô:
July 23rd, 2009
9:07 pm
dogsbrekky–
Oh, that’s OK. You don’t hafta apologize…everyone hears a different drummer, er…announcer.
The article I think was on some ghey site like espn or was it baseball prospectus.. can’t remember
That makes sense…wouldn’t surprise me if it was BP. They’re the website that, in a 2005 scouting report thingy, said the Braves “secretly do not care for McCann’s defense”.
Count de Monet The only thing I don’t like is when they spend too much time on the trivia question.
See, sometimes I think that’s funny…but yeah, it does get annoying when they kind of ignore the game. When Joe and Chip go off on the draft or whatever, I just wanna leave the room…
One thing that drives me INSANE about Joe and Boog, though, is when they go off on maple bats. I’m like, “OK! So-and-so uses maple and so-and-so uses ash! Back to the game, please!”
Um…and yeah, I kinda get the impression that Joe doesn’t care much for Chip, too.
BravesfaninWis–
You’re welcome! Always happy to be of service!
Hope you get to meet some of the guys! Meeting Diaz would be really cool! He seems like a cool dude.
Rob from SC
July 23rd, 2009
9:07 pm
keylargo
Not 1 September game last year was meaningful for the Braves
dogsbrekky
July 23rd, 2009
9:07 pm
Rob SC – yes but where does KJ fit with us given Prado and the probable return of Infante.
If the problems with KJ were “injury related” and his AAA stint numbers were reflective of his future mlb ability why in hell would we contemplate trading him to notorious cheapskates like the Twins while he is “cheap” perception wise.
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:08 pm
Not 1 September game last year was meaningful for the Braves
But it was meaningful for the teams they played, like the Mets and Phillies! Why is this difficult to grasp?
David O'Brien
July 23rd, 2009
9:08 pm
How many times can ESPN possibly think we want to see the ESPYS … in prime time, no less. Depressing in its redundancy.
McFann :Ô:
July 23rd, 2009
9:09 pm
NO! Not the…the…the…ESPYS!!
I’ve been reading too much Calvin and Hobbes…
keylargo
July 23rd, 2009
9:10 pm
You are full of it Robb. Every game in MLB baseball has tremendous meaning.
AND I am waiting for someone else who did this well in Sept.
dogsbrekky
July 23rd, 2009
9:10 pm
Chip Caray is the grandson of Harry, yes?
How in heck did those wonderful genes go so well from Harry to Skip (lovely individual) to that arrogant mess of a commentator.. anyone anyone
keylargo
July 23rd, 2009
9:12 pm
Men are playing for millions of dollars in contracts or unemployment and you say meaningless?
Teams are fighting to break even or lose millions and they are meaningless?
Prospects are up to see if they can make the team next year and it’s meaningless?
David O'Brien
July 23rd, 2009
9:13 pm
Random: That 6:46 p.m. rebuttal was a little frightening in its thoroughness and exhaustive detail. But quite effective.
Same Old Stuff
July 23rd, 2009
9:13 pm
DOB – I never got the point of awards for sports achievements. I thought those were called trophies and championship rings.
Jake W.
July 23rd, 2009
9:14 pm
keylargo
I don’t think the point is that they are meaningless games, its that he went on the torrid run when it really didn’t matter overall for the teams performance at that point in our season last year. It was good for KJ personally in that it showed management what he was capable of doing but all that is wasted when you turn in a season like what KJ has done so far. Regardless of KJ’s careers stats, the point is right now we are winning and playing better ball with Prado in the lineup. Prado is also putting up these numbers when it matters for this team. Don’t get me wrong, it was great what KJ did, but Prado’s performance coupled with some other players has put us back into the conversation for possibly earning a playoff spot.
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:15 pm
CrimeDog…………1. Jeff Bennett not being Bobby’s boy? Do you really think that I’m wrong on that? How can you justify Bobby Cox using Bennett in the 6th and 7th innings of crucial situations? In 34 innings pitched this year……Bennett has allowed 42 hits and walked 21 men. That is 63 base runners allowed in 34 innings pitched. I can only imagine how many inherited base runners he allowed to score. The point is, how can a pitcher who allows 2 base runners for every inning he pitches be allowed to pitch in crucial situations? If that inst an example of “being Bobby’s boy”, I dont know what is.
2. The Braves knew that they was going to put Kelly on the disabled list before Bobby came out and named Martin Prado the starter. Bobby knew it after the game, before he made the announcement.
3. In the Sunday game against Boston, Jeff Bennett gave up a game winning homer to Nick Green on the very first pitch he threw. He went to the clubhouse, slammed his left hand into the wall, and broke his hand. He went on the disabled list that night.
How can you say that I was wrong about “an injury is the only reason Jeff Bennett isnt pitching for the Braves”?
4. How can you say that Peter Moylan isnt “Bobby’s boy”? Look at dude’s numbers: 41 innings pitched, 40 hits allowed, 21 walks, 3 hit batters. That’s 64 base runners allowed in 41 innings pitched. And an ERA of 4.39. Moylan, at best, is a mop up guy, not a dependable, consistent 7th inning guy.
5. I didnt say that Kelly Johnson will “supplant” Prado at 2nd. What I said is that Bobby will find a way to “sit Prado for a few games” in order to get Kelly some at-bats. He will also give Chipper and Kotchman a rest more often then before, with the intention of getting Kelly some more at-bats as well.
6.The Brooks/Norton argument IS RELEVANT. If you dont believe me, just go back to that 8th inning game last Saturday where the score was 2-1 Mets, bases loaded, 2 outs, Braves batting. Greg Norton is up, and with a 3-1 count, the Mets pitcher who was struggling to get out of the 8th inning threw Norton 2 fastballs RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. Norton WHIFFED both pitches.
Dude, you need to do A LOT BETTER if you are going to point out positions where you think that “I’ve been wrong”.
Goldenglove002
July 23rd, 2009
9:16 pm
Braves scouts (including Dick Balderson) have been at the Dodgers AA games. you hearing anything DOB?
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/07/23/groundwork-being-laid-for-angels-dodgers-to-get-pitchers/
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:17 pm
Braveheart–really good point about those who believe in batting average but reject the principles of BABIP underlying it.
Count de Monet
July 23rd, 2009
9:18 pm
Where is Robert? Has he been around the last few night?
nolie
July 23rd, 2009
9:19 pm
Don’t know if this has already been posted.
STARK ON TRADE DEADLINE MYTHS
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings090723&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:19 pm
keylargo………one good month (last September) in the past 9 months of playing baseball (6 months last season, 3 months this season) isnt going to convince me that Kelly Johnson deserves playing time.
John
July 23rd, 2009
9:20 pm
I think..instead of KJ…we should trade Conrad “while he’s hot”…should be able to get a HUGE return.. especially if the other team just looks at his .344 average in his 32 ABs with the Braves…and ignores his .243 average in 465 ABs in AAA in 08′ AND his .257 average in 261 ABs so far this year in AAA Gwinnett…might oughta hurry tho…he’s 0-2 tonight….with 2 Ks…Let’s hear some offers out there !!
Rob from SC
July 23rd, 2009
9:21 pm
Jeff Lyman is having a pretty good year at Mississippi. Wonder where he fits into our plans
keylargo
July 23rd, 2009
9:22 pm
Lentz – You dumb SOB do you understand KJ didn’t have ONE GOOD MONTH, that he had two good years? 301 hits is 2007 and 2008 and a .282 average.
CrimeDog
July 23rd, 2009
9:22 pm
1.) The entire bullpen was a mess when Bennett was still pitching. The other option was your best friend Moylan, who you hate. Unless Mo Rivera and Joe Nathan were chilling with Eddie out in the pen, I don’t know who else you plan on using. You can say you hate Bennett/Moylan, etc., but you have to have a better option.
2) Martin Prado would have been playing much earlier, had he not been battling a serious groin injury. Martin himself said he wasn’t ready to play everyday.
3) While it’s doubtful, because Jeff Bennett isn’t exactly what you would call “sharp,” there was speculation that Bennett punched said door in order to put himself on the DL, thus avoiding the DFA. While I don’t buy that, the fact there was speculation of this (from people who would know) leads me to believe Bennett is on the way out regardless.
4) See argument No. 1. Please let me know who else should pitch meaningful 7th innings, like today. Who else would you put in during a “double play” situation like today?
5.) Kelly Johnson is a good enough hitter to deserve some at-bats, especially to rest old guys like Chipper and guys who have battle injuries this season, like Prado and Kotch.
6.) I said this earlier. If Brooks Conrad was still on the roster this weekend and didn’t even fly to Milwaukee, I doubt you would notice.
TnBrian
July 23rd, 2009
9:22 pm
Watching the Gwinette game and B.Jordan is saying that Dunn probably wouldn’t require hardly any players or prospects, just cash and a lower prospect or two. He could be right, I don’t know.
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:22 pm
Goldenglove…hmm…there aren’t too many prospects on the Chattanooga team that I really like outside of Andrew Lambo…
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:23 pm
Maybe Josh Bell…
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:24 pm
CrimeDog………….Do you know what the sad thing is? It isnt that I was right about Glavine, Smoltz, and Hampton: It was that some many people on here RIPPED Frank Wren and the Braves for not re-signing Smoltz and Hampton AND for releasing Glavine. The fact that SO MANY on here were WRONG about Smoltz, Hampton and Glavine……..is what is so SAD.
keylargo
July 23rd, 2009
9:24 pm
keylargo………one good month (last September) in the past 9 months of playing baseball (6 months last season, 3 months this season) isnt going to convince me that Kelly Johnson deserves playing time. Paul Lentz
But you can tell that Brooks Conrad is a MLB player after 34 ab’s in two weeks?
fastasballs
July 23rd, 2009
9:24 pm
Tom Emanski must be curled up into the fetal position if he witnessed that stellar defensive display by the Braves in the 8th.
They still took 3/4 from a good team. If they continue playing anywhere near as well as they have & they are in good shape. It’s tough to dig out of the hole they put themselves in. You can’t erase a half season of mediocrity in two weeks.
Zito pitched well today, but seemed to have a lot larger strike zone than KK did. Was that just me? He was getting the high strike on his curve & KK wasn’t.
I don’t think anyone wants Greg Norton on the team, but that’s not our call. Hopefully he won’t be around much longer.
Vinings Jim
July 23rd, 2009
9:25 pm
Count the Money – is that you?
Braveheart
July 23rd, 2009
9:25 pm
How can you say that Peter Moylan isnt “Bobby’s boy”? Look at dude’s numbers: 41 innings pitched, 40 hits allowed, 21 walks, 3 hit batters. That’s 64 base runners allowed in 41 innings pitched. And an ERA of 4.39. Moylan, at best, is a mop up guy, not a dependable, consistent 7th inning guy.
Moylan has an FIP of 3.22, the second best groundball to flyball rate in the majors at 3.76, has the 14th best LD% against of the 64 MLB relievers with 40 or more innings, and he’s striking out 7 per 9.
keylargo
July 23rd, 2009
9:26 pm
Good post John at 9:20
Jake W.
July 23rd, 2009
9:26 pm
TnBrian
I’m watching the game too, and I have to say its scary to even here Brian Jordan say that the runs that Dunn will give up on defense are worth what he will give back on offense. Saying he may be a good fit in right field, yikes. Can you imagine an outfield with Anderson in left and Dunn in right. Good luck Nate McLouth. Not to mention Dunn absolutely butchering things at 1st base. We saw what happens today when your 1st baseman is not on his game. With our pitching we need a sure glove guy over there. Not to mention he saves Chipper and Esco on so many bad throws.
THWG
July 23rd, 2009
9:28 pm
TnBrian- I don’t see why the Nats don’t shop him a little more, seeing as he’s signed through 2010, and they sure aren’t going anywhere by next year… But they’ve repeatedly said they won’t trade him.
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:28 pm
But he’s a BUM, Braveheart. He’s Bobby’s boy. I won’t listen to evidence to the contrary. I have my “beliefs,” and I shall stick to them, even when proven wrong.
dogsbrekky
July 23rd, 2009
9:29 pm
fastasballs, yes Zito had a nice generous Portherhouse sized strike zone and KK had a strike zone the size of a small edamame appetizer… needless to say the ump is not a Bobby or Braves lover.
actually toss in the incompetent at 2nd bade as well, 1 terrible call and 1 sub-standard call
in all we got shafted
CrimeDog
July 23rd, 2009
9:30 pm
Braveheart-
You and your damn “statistics” and “facts.” Paul relies much more on random generalizations and his own feelings towards players.
The life of a reliever:
Reliever A comes in with runners on first and second and one out. Batter hits a bullet right at shortstop, who doubles off runner at 2nd. Reliever A is Paul’s hero.
Reliever B comes into same situation. He gives up two broken-bat rollers through the infield, allowing both runs to score. Paul accuses this reliever of sucking and engaging in lewd acts with team’s manager.
Braveheart
July 23rd, 2009
9:31 pm
And, oh yeah, Moylan hasn’t allowed a homer all season
JasonInFL
July 23rd, 2009
9:31 pm
Braveheart, quality posts. You better stop…don’t want to use actual data to backup one’s position…especially with Paul.
Tokyo Bravo
July 23rd, 2009
9:31 pm
UNCBrave
July 23rd, 2009
1:19 pm
Kawakami sux
Original Jon
July 23rd, 2009
1:25 pm
Kenshin seems to be the one weak link when it comes to the starting rotation. I mean, I never feel like its going to be a pitching dominant game when he is in there. When everyone else is in there pitching, I feel like we have a great chance to win, but not when Kenshin is in there.
SanFranFan
July 23rd, 2009
1:26 pm
I predict kawakomi will be erradic and leave in the 3rd inning.
You know, I really should let this go, because the numbers have been posted before, and so the folks that insists that somehow Kawakami has been a “weak link” or “erradic” (sic) are either poor students of the game, or simply willfully ignorant.
With today’s 5IP 4H 1R performance, Kawakami’s ERA for the month of July sits at around what, about 3.60. Excluding April, when he certainly struggled to adjust, his ERA is around 3.33 or so- hardly “weak.” Today’s game wasn’t a thing of beauty, granted, but once again, he gave the Braves a chance to win.
There are a few bloggers that need to get over their blind prejudice against an guy that isn’t Tommy effin’ Hanson, and admit that Kawakami is a gamer who has given the Braves a chance to win just about every time out. I don’t expect Kawakami to pitch like a #1 starter, but there are a whole lot of teams that would like to have someone in the middle of the rotation who delivers an ERA of 3.33-3.50 each month pretty consistently.
Sheesh!
TnBrian
July 23rd, 2009
9:32 pm
An honest answer… is Dunn even average at 1st? I was thinking if the Braves could trade KJ/Kotchman for a bp arm, trade a lower prospect or two and cash to the Nats for Dunn and they’d keep the OF in tact. I’m sure Dunn at 1st would make us cringe but imagine his power between Chipper and Mac followed by Escobar… I think we’d score enough runs to make up for his lack of D at 1st.
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:34 pm
McLouth of the South……….I guess that Dontrelle Willis didnt go from being a 22 game winner at age 23………to sucking right now at 27 years old?
Or…..I guess that Magglio Ordonez didnt go from averaging 29 homers a year from 1999-2008 (he was hurt in 2004-2005 and didnt play that much in either year)……..to sucking this year with his 5 homers in 272 at-bats? And he is age 35, 2 years younger than Greg Norton. Ordonez was scuffing so much that the Tigers talked of releasing him.
So dont tell me that a player cant experience a significant drop off when they are showing signs that their career is coming to an end, no matter how old or young they are.
keylargo
July 23rd, 2009
9:35 pm
Does anyone know where that little boy from The Omen is? Does he live in San Fran?
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:36 pm
An honest answer… is Dunn even average at 1st?
According to 137 games’ worth (too small of a sample, admittedly), he’s awful. In reality, Dunn has given away half of the runs his above-average bat has produced with his terrible glove, according to wOBA and UZR. I know I have my moments and fall in love with him and his really outstanding bat, but in all reality, given his glove, he probably wouldn’t represent a significant upgrade over CK…
TnBrian
July 23rd, 2009
9:36 pm
Jake, I don’t know man, like I said in my last post, he might end up with 50 HR’s when ‘09 is over hitting between Chipper and Mac. The other side is his D and we all know how Casey saves the pitchers work with his glove, so I’m kinda in the middle on that one. I’ll trust Wren and the Braves to get what the team needs without setting them back in the future.
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:38 pm
Steve from OH……….at a certain point in a player’s career (some sooner than later), a player begins to show signs that for whatever reason (injury, MLB catching up to him, etc) that he simply cannot make the adjustments that are necessary to continue success at the Major League Level. That is what I look for.
I’ve watched enough baseball to be able to recognize when a player is just struggling…..and when he has lost it. Francoeur lost it last year. Kelly Johnson lost it this year. It happens. What separates the winning teams from the losing one is the ability to recognize both.
John
July 23rd, 2009
9:38 pm
Dunn would cause us MUCH pain…in either LF or RF….BUT… at 1B….he would chop off all our heads…and take a dump down our necks….jmo
Jaglawyer
July 23rd, 2009
9:38 pm
keylargo
July 23rd, 2009
8:03 pm
Dogsbrekky
I assume you must mean the SC coast. Few people in NY know how wonderful it is there and the GA barrier islands. My Dad has a house in St Simons Island, GA and the prettiest place I have ever been to is Cumberland Island, GA. It is owned by the state and has a completely undeveloped 15 mile long beach.
________________
As a SSI resident, I must concur. Cumberland is where JFK jr. got married several years ago. SSI is also Bulldog country before the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party
bgvt
July 23rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Hey Paul:
You’re right: sometimes players drop off quickly. You’ve found two examples.
Okay: can you admit that sometimes players do poorly for an extended period (say several months or even a whole season) and then bounce back to being quite productive? It wouldn’t be hard to cherry pick a few examples. Chipper’s .248 BA in 2004 comes to mind.
jeffrey d
July 23rd, 2009
9:39 pm
jeffrey d………..again, Kelly deserves to be here over Greg Norton, NOT Brooks Conrad. If Frank Wren wasnt willing to cut Greg Norton, he should have kept Kelly at Triple A. Paul Lentz
I know I’m a couple hours late on this, but whaaaat??? You’re going to break down Kelly’s monthly numbers and complain that he’s not consistent, but then say that he belongs here over Brooks Conrad, who has like, 30 something plate appearances to his name? So I guess we’re just ignoring the fact that he hit .259 when he was called up. Or .243 last year or .218 the year before. Yes, there’s the model of consistency.
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Paul, if you know as much about baseball as you claim, you’d A) realize the validity of Braveheart’s earlier argument, and B) realize that empirical evidence (presented by Atlanta’s own JC Bradbury, I believe) suggests a player reaches his peak performance around age 29. Kelly is 27. Norton and Magglio are on the wrong side of 35. Is it really that hard for you to comprehend? Seriously?
CrimeDog
July 23rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Paul-
Yeah, you watch lots of games on TV. Don’t worry that the coaches and front office watch these guys throughout spring training, batting practice, and in the clubhouse. You definitely know more.
TnBrian
July 23rd, 2009
9:40 pm
Steve from OH, I’ll leave it to you to do all the math. I don’t even know what wOBA and UZR stands for but it doesn’t look good for Dunn according to Steven.
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:40 pm
John………..As much as I would like to see Brooks Conrad on the roster, I have to say that from what I’ve seen of him, I dont think that he could play Major League quality short stop. That is why Diory Hernandez is on the roster, in case something happens to Escobar. When Infante comes back, it is back to the Minors for Hernandez.
That is why Corky Miller lasted so long last year. You have to have a back-up catcher. That is why I APPLAUDED the David Ross signing by Frank Wren.
bgvt
July 23rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Steve:
I’ll bet you didn’t know that Paul’s day job was GM of a baseball organization that knows when a player has lost it — did you? Too bad the Braves’ talent evaluators have so little skill in such matters.
Jake W.
July 23rd, 2009
9:41 pm
To tell the truth I don’t think he is average defensively anywhere. I know the linup would be much improved by his power but for the positions they suggested him at which were RF or 1B I don’t think it would be a wise trade for the Braves. Our success this year starts with our pitchers. If he is at 1st base I can’t see him saving a lot of those balls that Kotchman does that Chipper and Esco throw over there sometimes. If he is in RF that means unless Diaz is in left, Anderson will be there with his limited range plus Dunn’s limited range and weak throwing arm in right. Just wouldn’t be pretty to me.
Random
July 23rd, 2009
9:41 pm
ncscoots (July 23rd, 2009 7:50 pm, p 13) –
You just turned my brain inside out: “unduplicated redundancy”!?!?!/1/1?!
My mind is now blown.
Hats off to you — good post.
PS: Thanks, Mr. Scary (6:54 pm, p 13)! (A typo was discovered, but the context should have clarified it — on 12 Apr with the score 7-5, Kotchman drove in the 8th run, not the 6th.)
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:42 pm
TnBrian–no need to be condescending. Just presenting an answer to your question. If you don’t know what they are, it ain’t hard to go to google and search “define: wOBA” and see what you get. Jeez…
And my name isn’t “Steven.”
fastasballs
July 23rd, 2009
9:43 pm
Conrad is 0-3 with 2K’s at AAA tonight, dropping his average to .256. He gave the Braves a lot more than they thought, but he is what he is in the long run.
jeffrey d
July 23rd, 2009
9:45 pm
I wonder how Dunn would fare at shortstop
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:45 pm
keylargo…………some players perform well when they arent under pressure. That is why some players can go from winning 20 games in San Diego like Ed Whitson to bombing in New York. That is some players get the nickname “Mr. May” because they dont perform well in the post season. And some players are able to relax and put up good numbers in September because they dont feel the “pressure” to perform well.
Regardless of the reason, the fact remains that if you take away Kelly’s September last year, then his number arent that good in his 681 at-bats from the beginning of last year to now.
TnBrian
July 23rd, 2009
9:46 pm
Steve from OH, really? Are you serious? Just a little dry sense of humor from me, so I think you misunderstood me.
Awww, the internet, can even make me look like a smart a**.
Couch Tater
July 23rd, 2009
9:46 pm
Braveheart,
Thanks for the insightful posts. It’s clear you have received a quality education. Oh, before I forget; from SEC Media Day…
http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/
chilidog75
July 23rd, 2009
9:46 pm
You guys that feel Kelly Johnson is an above-average player — Braveheart said he was one of the top 10 second baseman in baseball — does that mean you think the Braves should hold on to him? You think he’s in the plans for 2010 as anything other than a utility player?
PWHjort
July 23rd, 2009
9:47 pm
nolie,
Jason Stark prints that same story every year. I seriously don’t think he changes anything but the examples. I remember it last year. And the year before.
bgvt
July 23rd, 2009
9:48 pm
Gee Paul…isn’t it a bit selective to just ignore a month’s worth of major league experience? If you ignore Conrad’s 34 MLB at-bats this year and look at his minor league career, it just isn’t so clear that he is a better choice than Greg Norton?
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:48 pm
No prob, TnBrian. I figured you weren’t being that way, just a little edgy from reading Dentz’s…dense arguments. Anywhoo, I did take the liberty of finding you a page to peruse about said statistics. Please give ‘em a read, eh?
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-joy-of-woba/
Shamus Thacker
July 23rd, 2009
9:49 pm
fastasballs: Conrad is 0-3 with 2K’s at AAA tonight, dropping his average to .256. He gave the Braves a lot more than they thought, but he is what he is in the long run.
Now that a sensible post! And probably pretty damn right.
HeywardTheFuture
July 23rd, 2009
9:50 pm
DOB, what’s your gut feeling on if the Braves will make a move before the deadline or not?
Gone Viral
July 23rd, 2009
9:51 pm
“I “get” it from remembering how Bobby has used other guys that he “believes” in. Look at Jeff Francoeur.”
You remember all the way back two weeks ago? Congrats?
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:54 pm
CrimeDog……..I said this earlier, I would have left Boone Logan in there. The Giants were going to bunt anyway. So even if the Giants use Uribe bunt the guy over, it is one out with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Logan can walk Downs (the next hitter) to set up the double play. Bowker (a left handed hitter) will be coming to the plate. Logan will have the edge because Bowker struggles against left handers.
Sure the Giants could have used a pinch hitter to bat from the right side. However, with Aaron Rowand hurt, their bench is thin. I would much rather see that scenario played out, then let Moylan come into the game. Moylan is simply too inconsistent to pitch in crucial situations.
Braveheart
July 23rd, 2009
9:54 pm
I’ve watched enough baseball to be able to recognize when a player is just struggling…..and when he has lost it.
Nah, nah, nah, buddy, you can’t get away with that one. That’s MORONIC. If you are gonna claim that you know when someone has “lost it” because of your years of experience watching baseball, then the burden of production and persuasion is on you to demonstrate what it is you are witnessing that leads you to this opinion. You can’t just say that my years of experience lead me to believe KJ has lost it and leave it at that. You need to say that my years of experience have led me to believe he has lost it because of this reason, and that reason, and this reason and that reason. And since you are asserting that you know he’s “lost it” because of your years of observational experience, the best and only way to truly support your opinion would be to tell us what it is you have observed in his swing mechanics that have caused him to lose it. Produce the evidence Paul if you hope to persuade. Otherwise, you’re just another MORON with a wish, hope, thought, feeling, need, desire, belief.
Shamus Thacker
July 23rd, 2009
9:54 pm
Y’all think KJ has COMPLETELY lost it like Frenchy? Like there’ s no chance of his recovering till he’s playing somewhere else? Anybody think he’ll get his stroke back here?
PWHjort
July 23rd, 2009
9:55 pm
Heh. Good post, Braveheart.
TnBrian
July 23rd, 2009
9:55 pm
Steve, alright, I’ll check them out after we eat. Gotta get something in my stomach. I’ll get back to you.
Baseball Dude
July 23rd, 2009
9:57 pm
Steve from OH, you KNOW NOTHING
If you defend playing KJ over the guys we have now, you have no credibility despite how high fallutin you try to be.
Shamus Thacker
July 23rd, 2009
9:57 pm
Has Corky retired? Are there still 5-full years before he goes in the Hall?
Tokyo Bravo
July 23rd, 2009
9:57 pm
Interesting tidbit there about the Braves scouts at the Dodgers AA game. Who do the Dodgers have at that level that’d be of interest? Anyone know?
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:58 pm
keylargo…………again, how many times do I have to say this: I never said that Conrad would become an All-Star. However when you have a player who is hitting well, you dont bench him. Since the All-Star Break, Bobby gave Norton more at-bats. And then the Braves sent him down. If Conrad has started showing signs of struggling, I could see the Braves sending him back down. However, he didnt.
At least ride that horse until he slows down, lol. Why jump on a horse who hasnt even moved yet (Norton) or a horse who is riding slow this year (Kelly)?
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
9:58 pm
I’m suddenly very interested to see how Paul will answer Braveheart. Ooh I hope hope that he says something about scouting and mechanics and some such…
chilidog75
July 23rd, 2009
9:59 pm
KJ is such a mystery to me, honestly.
As has been repeated on this blog, ad nauseum, there are times when he looks like a batting champion — spraying line drives all over the field, hitting with power, etc. There are other times where he honestly doesn’t look like he belongs in the bigs.
Everyone goes into slumps. Obviously. His slumps seem to be so much more PROFOUND than other hitters though — which is frustrating because he teases you, for weeks at a time, that he could be a very good major league hitter. Then he becomes an automatic out for two weeks straight. It’s mind-boggling. And that trend has been the only CONSISTENT part of Kelly Johnson’s career up to this point.
Paul Lentz
July 23rd, 2009
9:59 pm
Braveheart……….Moylan is also walking more than 5 batters per 9 innings. And his ERA is 4.39.
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
10:00 pm
If you defend playing KJ over the guys we have now, you have no credibility despite how high fallutin you try to be.
Such as? Who have I suggested he play over? Norton? Conrad? Yes. Prado? No. Your point being?
Or am I bein’ too high-fallutin’ for ya, cowboy?
McFann :Ô:
July 23rd, 2009
10:01 pm
Has this been posted? The Fillies won.
Dangit.
chilidog75
July 23rd, 2009
10:02 pm
The Phillies won that game when the Padres’ bus pulled into the parking lot.
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
10:03 pm
.Moylan is also walking more than 5 batters per 9 innings. And his ERA is 4.39.
Gee, who to believe, who to believe. The guy who cites ERA, and only ERA or the guy who cites a variety of more solid, more descriptive statistics, including FIP, which, Paul includes things like walks per nine that is why it is called FIELDING INDEPENDENT PITCHING YOU DOLT.
Good day.
Random
July 23rd, 2009
10:04 pm
Thanks, DOB.
Actually, it was frighteningly easy to do — all on mlb.com: started with Kotchman’s Game by Game Log, and then simply pulled the Gamedays for each game he got an RBI and see if it was “significant” (ie, was the game close at the time). For example, 22 Apr.
(Clicking on the “Date” hyperlink on the GxG Log immediately gives you the Gameday wrap – substitute “gameday” for “wrap” in the URL and voila – sissy bone!
Would’ve taken all of 15 minutes (vice 3.5 hours) with a high speed internet connection – unfortunately, I was at a wireless
bra. Bar!!! And my power was spent.Scooter
July 23rd, 2009
10:04 pm
FIRE CHINO CADAHIA!!!
Gone Viral
July 23rd, 2009
10:05 pm
“despite how high fallutin you try to be”
High fallutin? Are we in an episode of Hee Haw?
Shamus Thacker
July 23rd, 2009
10:05 pm
I was thinking about Bruce Benedict (musta seen a turtle) today. He was slow afoot as we’ve discussed, but he was like a cat behind the plate. In all the years Phil Niekro pitched here, there was nobody who could corral knuckleballs like Bruce. His uni would be filthy after a game teamed with Niekro. Hit the dirt on every low, wild, butterfly.
Steve from OH
July 23rd, 2009
10:05 pm
If you want an even more descriptive stat, Paul, you could note that Moylan’s tRA is 3.71. Which is generally considered to be a bit more encompassing than FIP. But you knew that, Mr. Baseball genius, right?
Tokyo Bravo
July 23rd, 2009
10:06 pm
Steve from OH bein’ feistyyyy