Braves’ quotes after Saturday loss to Nationals
FREDI GONZALEZ
On Tommy Hanson getting behind in counts
“Yeah, but you know what? He kept us in the ballgame. I would have been curious to see, if that rain didn’t [delay the game], how well he would have handled the rest of the game. Because you always like to see guys, when they’re not pitching or they don’t have their good stuff, how well they can get through it. And I think he was well on his way to doing that.”
“I thought he threw the ball OK. Shoot, we hit the ball as hard as anybody. Prado’s gonna go 0-for-5 and man, oh man, he hit every ball right on the nose. We just didn’t get that bloop when we needed it with people on base.
“Two solo home runs, Danny and Gonzo, so… we’ve just got to keep swinging it.”
On Gonzalez’s three-hit game
“What did we get, 10 hits? So we swung the bat. And we’ve probably hit the ball harder than 10 hits.”
“Even that last inning, Burnett makes two great plays, one on Prado and one on Chipper. So I’m encouraged by the way we’re swinging the bat right now.”
(OK, so that wasn’t much on Gonzalez’s three-hit game, but that was the question)
On Hanson not coming back after the 55-minute delay
“There’s no way. First start. He had the back issue in spring training. It’s cold. We want Tommy for the next 32 starts. Really. For me, it wasn’t even a difficult decision with a young kid…. If he had one more out to get a victory, maybe you think about it. But that’s a no-brainer for me.”
On Ankiel’s squeeze bunt
“That was a big run. A big add-on run.”
On sixth inning, runners at second and third with one out, got nothing
“Yeah, we had second and third, one out – if we just get one out of there. You’re hoping to get one and we had the right people up there. Hey, they [Nationals] are allowed to get us out also, you know? Got to give them guys a little credit.
Two rain delays, hail….
“And then we had to break out the sunglasses. I thought we were in Colorado.
***MARTIN PRADO
“I’m just trying to get good at-bats. Sucks that I made [outs] in a couple of situations with men on base. But I can’t control that. Just hit the ball hard somewhere, what happens, happens. That’s all I can control.”
Pleased with how hard you’re hitting balls, at least?
“Yeah. I mean, I’m in a hard spot – leading off, you’ve got to get on base. And everybody can see that. Nobody feels worse than me at this moment. But I’ve got to keep having good at-bats and I guess they will come.”
***TOMMY HANSON
On his outing:
“It was just one of those days I wasn’t real consistent with all my pitches. I felt good. I’d go through spurts where I’d make pitches, then I wouldn’t make pitches. And that’s not going to cut it.”
On what they were hitting:
“They hit a lot of fastballs. All the balls they hit hard were primarily fastballs. I had a couple of them where I thought I made a good pitch and they hit it and other ones I didn’t make a good pitch and they hit that too. But I think a couple times getting behind in the count, especially to (Rick) Ankiel…I think the biggest thing for me to take away from this is I wasn’t consistently throwing strikes, and consistently commanding the zone.”
How might have affected him not facing major league hitters his last two spring outings:
“I don’t know it could have, maybe. Maybe if I went out and threw two good spring games, I could have come out and did the same thing. I know what you’re saying but I don’t know. I don’t want to make any excuses. I feel like I could have thrown a lot better.”
On not getting ahead of count so he could use breaking pitches:
“I think when I got hurt is when I was falling behind and not commanding my fastball. Whenever I’m commanding my fastball is when I’m having success. Today I would go a couple hitters commanding my fastball and go a hitter or two not commanding my fastball. Part of me was trying to be too fine and once I realized that wasn’t working and I was throwing balls, then I was opening up the plate.
“My fastballs were catching way too much of the plate. It was one of those things where I was little bit off with my command. With all that being said, I’m obviously not worried about it, it’s my first start. I know I can pitch better than that. Just going to chalk it up to one of those days, just work hard in my next ‘pen, get my fastball command, staying down in the zone and hope to go out and do better next time.”
On how he felt physically (given back stiffness in spring):
“Everything feels good. That was the biggest thing, just mainly command. And I don’t know — first game, I guess.”
On what it felt like to get hailed upon:
(Hanson smiles) “I was telling D-Lowe, he was like ‘Are you ready to get out of there?’ I was like nah, I could have kept going. White hail, I’m sure [the batter] couldn’t see the ball, and it was blowing in his face. He kept stepping out. I was good. I could have kept pitching. He was the one stepping out.”
***DAN UGGLA
On Braves hitting balls hard to no avail:
“It was one of them days. I felt like we hit the ball really well today but that’s baseball sometimes. Guys make great plays on you. Then other times you hit them right at ‘em. You’ve just got to bite the bullet on that one, get ready to play tomorrow.”
On it being encouraging to get his first homer:
“Yeah, it was. It’s always good to get that first one out of the way, and that first hit, the first everything. Just like everybody else, you hit a couple balls hard and don’t get anything out of it. it takes a little bit of the pressure off.”
***CHIPPER JONES
On Hanson’s performance
“He was behind in the count a lot. And it doesn’t matter who you are, when you’re behind in the count consistently, you’ve got to throw fastballs over the plate and you’re going to get hit sometimes.
“We just couldn’t keep it from snowballing in that three-run inning. He fell behind Ankiel and he hit the homer.
“Offensively, we could very easily have had 15 or 16 hits today. It just seemed like they had somebody making a great play on the other end of a line drive somewhere. There’s nothing you can do. Just tip your cap. They beat us today.”
More on Hanson getting behind in counts
“When a pitcher’s ahead, he dictates the at-bat. When a hitter’s ahead, a hitter dictates the at-bat. You’re in control; you know what’s coming. And with Tommy, I mean, it’s no secret. When he gets behind in the count, he’s going to throw fastballs. A guy like Livan [Hernandez], he gets behind in the count, he’s not necessarily going to throw fastballs. He can’t live like that. Not many guys can.
“When [Hanson] gets his command back, where he can use his whole arsenal ahead in the count, he’s a lot more effective.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
79 comments Add your comment
Strikeoutlookin
April 2nd, 2011
7:45 pm
First!
Trey
April 2nd, 2011
7:45 pm
Thank you, DOB. Fredi sounds like a great manager and I like how he does have some of Bobby’s traits.
Strikeoutlookin
April 2nd, 2011
7:46 pm
And Hanson looked uncomfortable all day… He is almost unhittable when he is working ahead in the counts but when he pitches like today he may as well be putting the fastball on a Tee.
castle
April 2nd, 2011
7:47 pm
fourst
MIBravesFan
April 2nd, 2011
7:48 pm
Thanks, DOB.
Andrew
April 2nd, 2011
7:57 pm
I know we’re only two games in, but I’m already cringing when Nate comes to the plate even with his first hit of the year coming today. It’s not fair on my part, I know, but ST doesn’t matter anymore. I’m just so happy to have the Braves back, I feel complete again. It was a long winter.
1991Braves
April 2nd, 2011
8:15 pm
Braves starting rotation is very shaky now. Lowe has a era of over 4 the past two years, Hanson is one of the most inconsistent pitchers in the national league, JJ hasn’t done anything since first half of 2009 and he is injury prone, Hudson is still trying to be the pitcher the Braves hoped he would be when they signed him as a free agent, he is a .500 pitcher since signing with the braves, and he is one season from major surgery. Beachy might be the best of the rotation right now, and that is scary when a fifth starter is your best pitcher. The only thing that looks strong for the braves pitching is the closer role, which is pretty impressive with Kimbel&Venters. The combo of a strong lefty and righty is a good combination. The only problem is will the starters get to the closers before the game is out of reach. Time will tell, but there are alot of questions to be answered with this rotation, especially Hanson&J.J.
Dennis Reynolds
April 2nd, 2011
8:18 pm
Hanson and Schafer for Felix Hernandez
1. Matt Young
2. Prado
3. Chipper
4. Mac
5. Uggla
6. Heyward
7. Freeman
8. Gonzo
Are you insane?
April 2nd, 2011
8:18 pm
Enter your comments here
Dennis Reynolds
April 2nd, 2011
8:19 pm
Hudson, Beachy and the bullpen are going to have to carry the staff all year long.
CSpin
April 2nd, 2011
8:20 pm
Yeah they’re making contact but why no talk of the poor defense from today?? It’s one of the biggest issues of 2011!
N8
April 2nd, 2011
8:22 pm
“There’s nothing you can do. Just tip your cap.” Chipper
Ahhhh….. and there you have it. Only took two games to get the first “tip your cap”. Too funny.
As funny as that is on the ole’ blog, he’s right. Not much else they could have done today. 2 HR. Guys all over the bases. Balls hit hard right at people.
If they keep that up, the runs will come. Tommy’s gotta find his groove, but dude had back problems and hadn’t seen any real action in a week or two. Not concerned at all about Hanson. WAY more concerned about Nate and him batting in the 2-hole.
I’ll reserve judgement on Nate until Prado’s getting on and Nate’s killing rallies. But Chipper’s gone what? 4 for 7 (or is it 4 for 8)? And he has 1 RBI. That won’t last.
Dennis Reynolds
April 2nd, 2011
8:26 pm
N8, you’re stupid. Why do you even waste your time or effort typing all those words? You wasted about 30 seconds of my time just reading your nonsense. And for that, I hate you.
jeff
April 2nd, 2011
8:29 pm
2 games into the season and we are praising the nationals. how about this for a change BRAVES.. I am a die hard fan but sick and tired of watching this team get beat by the last place nationals.. How come you have a Losing record the past 2 yrs against them? thats what I want to know..
Reality Bites
April 2nd, 2011
8:32 pm
Defense will be our undoing….We got nowhere to hide Nate McLousy.
Hard Onward
April 2nd, 2011
8:46 pm
Hanson appears to be regressing instead of solidifying. That’s not good.
Prado & Nate are the early goats on offense.
All this talk about 1st place over the Phillies and they can’t beat the lowly Nats.
Hanson let a non-power (remember his lack of power last year for us ?) guy like Ankiel beat him.
Kat
April 2nd, 2011
8:47 pm
Thanks for the quotes.
Hard Onward
April 2nd, 2011
8:48 pm
Yeah, let Young play either LF or CF. He can’t do much worse with the bat then 1 for 8 ?
Skeezers Daddy
April 2nd, 2011
8:56 pm
Why did they play 1 game then take a day off before playing game 2 ? They’ve been off all fall & winter. Why couldn’t they play 2 games in a row ? Kinda weak.
Skeezers Daddy
April 2nd, 2011
8:59 pm
My line-up would be :
Young
Heyward
Chipper
Uggla
McCann
Freeman
Gozalez
Prado
bgvt
April 2nd, 2011
9:03 pm
The off day after one game is so that a rain out on opening day can be moved to the next day. Plus, MLB likes to spread out opening day over a couple of days.
Realist
April 2nd, 2011
9:12 pm
News flash – it was the second game of the season! Chill out. Thank God you jokers are not coaching the Braves.
Bad Day
April 2nd, 2011
9:26 pm
Prado needs to show up.
Ron Hyatt
April 2nd, 2011
9:27 pm
New Manager, Same “get them next time” attitude. Well, there’s always next year.
A-Ville Ranger
April 2nd, 2011
9:35 pm
I’ve posted several times that Hanson’s lack of a special fastball is what will keep him from being to truly outstanding #1 type pitcher. He just doesn’t have enough movement to throw that high in the zone in the low 90s so often.
BigD
April 2nd, 2011
9:37 pm
WHEW, thank you Realist, after reading all this crap I thought I was going to wake up in the morning and see the sky sitting in my front yard.
GO BRAVES!!!!
Dennis Reynolds
April 2nd, 2011
9:49 pm
I hope Young gets some starts soon.
HAL
April 2nd, 2011
9:55 pm
batting practise hanso hasnt changed a bit if ya can get him s dozen he might win maybe the wrong guy went to double a lol kk only nneded about 7 to win
worst to first
April 2nd, 2011
10:07 pm
It has been two games. everybody in the NL East is going to loose to the Nats at some point. Prado will be fine, he stroked the ball every at bat today. I would be worried if he was striking out but he is clearly seeing the ball well. Reserve judgement on everybody including McClouth until atleast two weeks in. Im just as bummed as you guys that our undefeated season bid is over but come on winning series is what gets you to the playoffs and thats what the braves will do tomorrow. 1991Braves, shaky rotation? give me a break.
Brava
April 2nd, 2011
10:08 pm
Well, Tommy had a bad day. Big Whoop. It’s not the end of the world and we still have 160 games to play. I’m sure we’ll pull a few wins out of that pile.
Good to see Danny and Gonzo get their first homers. I was heartened to see the way Sherill pitched today, as well. Hopefully we pick up the win tomorrow and head to Milwaukee with a series win.
GO BRAVES!!!
Nick
April 2nd, 2011
10:11 pm
There are a couple of you that are sane… you know who you are. The rest of you are complete MORONS!!!!!!!! It’s been two games!! You want to bench mcclouth and hit prado 8th! HA. Man, you are dumb.
In Fredi I Trust
April 2nd, 2011
10:16 pm
Go get em tomorrow boys. Hanson hasn’t looked comfortable for a while now.
DC Brave
April 2nd, 2011
10:17 pm
I think everyone will play better when its not wet and 42…
Nationals
April 2nd, 2011
10:19 pm
Our CF is better than your CF…but given that you sent your guy to AAA, and traded to get our guy, you already knew that didn’t you?
Kelly's Johnson
April 2nd, 2011
10:38 pm
Spring training is over and McLouth is back to his usual self !
Time for Frank Wren to call Kansas City about Lorenzo Cain …
Humpback Liner
April 2nd, 2011
10:43 pm
The Ex- Brave Factor is alive and well, it’s been around since 1966
N8
April 2nd, 2011
10:48 pm
“You wasted about 30 seconds of my time just reading your nonsense. And for that, I hate you.” Dennis Reynolds
If it took you 30 seconds to read that paragraph, perhaps your hatred should be directed at your parents, pre-school teacher, kindergarten teacher and maybe every teacher after that.
Because that’s some slow ass reading. Good luck.
LivingSocial Braves Dude
April 2nd, 2011
11:05 pm
Second game of the year folks. We torched the ball today but right at people. We also hit 2 solo jacks and FF had his first hit of the year. We definitely could have won that game today, just wasn’t our day. It also hailed during the game today. Needless to say it was a bizarre game 2… we WILL get them nex time. Stupid Nats.
MIdtown
April 2nd, 2011
11:05 pm
Happy for Ankiel. The guy has not had an easy career.
DaveinNEPA
April 2nd, 2011
11:25 pm
I’m as unhappy the Braves lost today as everyone else is.
But….the comments about how bad the Nats are may be a little unfounded. What I’ve seen from them in these two games was some sound defense and some strong fundamental ball. These guys just might have an improved team and if they get any kind of pitching, they won’t be the pushover that they’ve been in the past.
JORDAN
April 2nd, 2011
11:35 pm
HOW THE HECK DID NATE MISS THAT BALL IN CENTER FIELD TODAY??? ANYWHO… CHECK MY BRAVES BLOG OUT- LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
http://jordanhbraves.blogspot.com/
ColoradoBravesFan
April 2nd, 2011
11:39 pm
1991… The statement you made about Hudson at 8:15pm, is total BS and I am calling it a lie because it’s so bad. “Hudson is still trying to be the pitcher the Braves hoped he would be when they signed him as a free agent, he is a .500 pitcher since signing with the braves, and he is one season from major surgery.
1) The Braves traded with the A’s for Tim Hudson, not signed him as a free agent. 2) Tim Hudson’s record as a brave is 73 wins and 48 losses or 25 wins above .500. Why didn’t you go to the braves website, you could have checked his record and been accurate. 3) Yes he is one season removed from major surgery. A season where he was 17-9, pitched 228.2 innings, won come back player of the year and his ERA was 2.82, the 2nd lowest of his career. Most experts agree pitchers are better their 2nd year after TJ surgery. We can only hope. 4) He is doing exactly what what we wanted him to do Pitching great, clubhouse leader, and he took a home town discount to remain with the braves.
There is so many things you could have picked to complain about, but Hudson has been great for the past 3 years.
TWO GAMES!
April 2nd, 2011
11:40 pm
Its been two games people, lets calm down. Tommy will be fine. Why is everyone just jumping on Nate, when Prado has no hits?
JORDAN
April 2nd, 2011
11:59 pm
prado been hittin the ball hard just cant get any luck- he will come around- everytime u turn around nate is striking out- 3 strikeouts in 72 at bats in spring and 3 in 7 at bats in 1st 2 games
Reggie
April 3rd, 2011
12:03 am
@TWO GAMES! Prado was robbed of two hits today and Nate just seems to be the same ol Nate. As far a Tommy Hanson being just fine…. what has he done in the last two years that makes you so sure of that?
moboman
April 3rd, 2011
12:15 am
1991 — 2nd game of the year. did you think we were gonna win all 162? Please , dont you naysayers have anything better to do. At least get your facts straight.
N8
April 3rd, 2011
12:23 am
“These guys just might have an improved team and if they get any kind of pitching, they won’t be the pushover that they’ve been in the past.”
Which could spell trouble since we went 8-10 against them last year. Yikes.
Younger Than That Now
April 3rd, 2011
12:31 am
Couple of things…
1. I cannot for the life of me, understand why some of you watch the games, come here and read the blogs, etc., and then take the time and effort to post the most impossibly negative and mostly BS comments that you can think of. If you are truly baseball fans… which I seriously doubt… you should find yourselves another team to follow. One that you can feel good about and one that you feel like is doing everything, and I mean everything right… obviously to you, the Braves are not that team. Little tip for you… no other team is either.
2. It is April 2nd… the frickin’ second game of the season with the third coming up tomorrow. It’s a long, long season and if you had ever planned to give these guys that you have the big question marks over, give them a chance to get the stuff together and get their season started without crucifying them and throwing them under the bus and to the curb. Give them a chance… you may be shocked! Though I seriously doubt that any of doubting Thomas’s would admit it in a million years.
N8
April 3rd, 2011
2:32 am
“As far a Tommy Hanson being just fine…. what has he done in the last two years that makes you so sure of that?”
Oh, I don’t know…. Just have better results in ERA and general effectiveness than Avery, Glavine, Smoltz or Maddux did through his first 50 starts.
Other than that, you’re right. Nothing to see here…. move along.
N8
April 3rd, 2011
2:42 am
As for Nate McLouth? I’ll stick to the story I stuck to all winter and through spring training.
The guy can’t possibly be any worse than he was last year. So anything he provides will likely be an upgrade over what we got in CF last year (Ankiel included – other than his arm).
But there is ZERO reason to think that what upgrade he’ll provide will be good enough to be deemed worthy of hitting in one of the top two spots in the order. There are literally 6 other guys (not counting Prado because he clearly will bat 1st or 2nd all year), that would be better choices to bat 2nd. Mac and his slow legs included.
This team can not only survive, but in fact THRIVE with what Nate can bring to the table, provided he’s not put in a position to either kill rallies, or fail to start them in front of the big boys.
Erik O’Flaherty is a fine asset to this team. But nobody would dream of putting him in the 2 slot of the rotation, would they? That is damn near what Fredi is doing batting Nate 2nd, with the other more solid options available to him.
Now, I will concede that it is VERY early, and the upside of how deep this lineup will be IF Nate were to have a monster season in the 2-hole.
But why not play it “safe” early in the year? Why not bat him 8th and have him be like a pre-leadoff hitter ahead of Prado (assuming the pitcher doesn’t do any damage? THEN if he’s on fire, move him up and utylize his speed.
Games in April count too last time I checked. I’d hate to have Fredi find out in late April what most of us already knew…… that Nate McLouth doesn’t belong at the top of anybody’s order anymore.
3 K’s in spring training. 3 K’s in 7 AB through 2 games. Clearly he was feasting on pitchers that were “getting their work in” or minor league guys that aren’t getting major league hitters out now that the season has begun. From what I heard in spring training and the games I watched, Nate’s approach and confidence looked good. But now that the bell has rung, he looks like the same old Nate to me.
I’m not a Nate basher. I’m just a basher of the idea of him hitting 2nd. Nothing more.
stendek
April 3rd, 2011
2:42 am
Welcome back Braves. Please keep heartless defeats like this one to a bare minimum this season. Have had an overage of losing thanks to those not worth mentioning Trashers. They are gone after last game. Good riddance to bad rubbish! Falcons not interested in playing. You guys are only game in town until September. Hate NBA! Best fellows. STENDEK
N8
April 3rd, 2011
2:46 am
“Why is everyone just jumping on Nate, when Prado has no hits?”
Because Prado has hit the ball hard and been robbed by nice plays 2 or 3 times. Nate has yet to actually drive the ball hard anywhere.
Prado has recent history on his side that shows if he’s recovered from his injury that ended his season (and all indications by the way he’s played in LF, show that he has), he’ll be fine.
Nate’s recent (two year) track record show that what skills he had have diminished.
Care to take any wagers on who has the better season when all is said and done?
Mitchell
April 3rd, 2011
3:09 am
Still pissed about that game although I do recall Nate actually hitting the ball pretty hard on that one hit of his there, N8.
Maybe you missed that.
Not saying you’re wrong necessarily. Just, he did get one hit.
That’s got to count for something I guess.
N8
April 3rd, 2011
4:01 am
You’re right Mitchell. I did miss it. I was working today and had the game on in my family room downstairs. With the delays, I was in and out of the room watching.
I’m really not mad about anything. Too early in the season to be mad. Actually very happy we have real meaningful games to discuss.
I’m not mad at Fredi for batting Nate 2nd. Not mad at him for batting Heyward 6th. Just a tad confused (and concerned) about it.
Make no mistake. If Nate pours it on in the days to come, I’ll be the FIRST to admit I was wrong and that will be that. I just don’t think it’s going to happen that way. I’d be willing to bet that before April goes away, somebody else will be batting 2nd. Might even be somebody else that is playing CF.
Nate had all of last year to figure it out (granted the concussion didn’t help – but he wasn’t hitting the snot out of the ball before that happened). His past play earned him the right to try and earn the money he’s owed.
But I hope that Fredi and Wren don’t compound that contract which appears to be too much money for what he’s being paid, by continuing to play him if he continues to struggle.
How he played that ball in CF is a whole other discussion. At least with Freeman, we know if he doesn’t hit, his glove will save games. Can the same be said for Nate? We’ll soon find out.
Jesse Stone
April 3rd, 2011
5:59 am
Maybe some of you whiners need to go be Red Sox fans. Oh,,,,nevermind
JASon
April 3rd, 2011
7:24 am
Did anyone see opening day in Philadelphia? I am not saying they are cheating but I call into question how a team just magically turns it on in the bottom of the ninth and gets 6 out of 7 straight hits. Its just that this happens all of the time for the Phillies- they can overcome ANY deficit in the ninth and win. Meanwhile every other team claws and scratches and can’t get a man on in the ninth. What are they doing over there
Larry
April 3rd, 2011
7:30 am
When Hanson broke into the league he was billed as a “power pitcher in the mold of a John Smoltz with a mid to upper 90’s fastball.” I was sitting behind the plate for his first game two years ago and his fast ball was being clocked consistently at 94-96 and topping out a couple of times at 97 MPH.
Now, his fast ball is consistently clocked at 90 MPH and topping out at 92 MPH. He, like Jurrjens, for some reason has lost about 5 MPH off his fastball the last two years.
If Hanson cannot regain this 5 MPH, he is in big trouble. He throws a very straight-armed, minimal movement, hittable 90 MPH fastball and he does not have enough good off-speed pitches to compliment a now average. Just about any major league pitcher can throw a 90 MPH fastball but 90 MPH is fine if you have the good off speed pitches to complement this–Hanson doesn’t!
DOB,
What happened to Hanson’s fastball?
David O'Brien
April 3rd, 2011
7:34 am
Larry, I don’t have an answer for ya. But I don’t think his fastball has deteriorated as much as you say, either. And I do know he stopped trying to blow fastballs by hitters as much, just like most young pitchers do as they learn to be more effective and pitch and be more efficient, rather than just try to overpower hitters.
Larry
April 3rd, 2011
7:45 am
Tommy Hanson: On what they were hitting:
“They hit a lot of fastballs. All the balls they hit hard were primarily fastballs.
Major League hitters can easily time 90-92 MPH fastballs with little movement.
DOB,
What happened to Hanson’s fastball?
Larry
April 3rd, 2011
7:51 am
DOB,
Thanks! I just posted above before seeing your response.
I can only go on what I see on radar guns displayed at Turner and od TV and what I see is a loss in velocity of about 5 MPH since his first season. I don’t know if this is a system issue or a personal issue but I do not recall two young starters (Hanson and Jurrjens) on the same team losing 4-5 MPH on their fastball over two seasons? Jurrjens’ fastball was toppeing out at 94-95 two years ago and now it is topping out at 90.
Something for you to keep an eye on this season.
Regards,
Larry
Bubba
April 3rd, 2011
8:57 am
I’m afraid that remembering the fact he gets almost no bat support when he pitches has ingrained itself in Hanson’s head. Yesterday he pitched like he knew the support would not be there, and he was right.
If and when the batters give him support watch his pitching improve. .
tradebait
April 3rd, 2011
8:57 am
JAson…the reason the phils got 6 straight hits is that the Houston BP sucks and they left the guy in there because they had nobody any better to throw up batting practice.
David O'Brien
April 3rd, 2011
9:01 am
Nice day in D.C., supposed to hit 60. Sunny. Maybe we’ll see a more representative sample of ‘ball from each team.
GovClintonTyree
April 3rd, 2011
9:35 am
Larry, Hanson’s not down that much. I’m guessing he’ll be touching 95 once he gets a few more starts under his belt. He was bad yesterday; doesn’t mean he’s bad forever. Your characterization of his other pitches is way off, too.
Fastball command is what was missing yesterday.
Other thing is, as a pitcher throws more pitches, the ligaments and joints lengthen and wear and a pitcher rarely keeps the speed he had when he came up. Expect a mile or two of lost speed. Meanwhile, they realize that it’s more efficient to get outs by pitching, as opposed to throwing, and getting ground ball outs.
Look at the second half of last year with Hanson; very efficient, very effective, fewer punchouts, more groundball outs.
reckingball
April 3rd, 2011
10:03 am
Seems to be an abundance of stupid, negative comments.
Only the 2nd game, and the idiots are out in force, already.
D man
April 3rd, 2011
10:17 am
Rubber game, Hudson should do great today. I think he is our best pitcher. Brave will win today…
Ted M
April 3rd, 2011
10:19 am
Am I the only one who thought 65% of the center fielders in baseball would have thrown out Werth when stretched that single into a “double” on McLouth’s lazy throw?
What does everyone else think?
chris
April 3rd, 2011
10:23 am
Can’t win em all…we hit some balls hard all day..and if we get a couple of breaks we score 7-8 runs easy and possibly win…the ankiel homer was just a case of hanson getting behind and having to come on to a pull hitter and he connected.. The play that killed us was nate’s bone headed play in center and the ball to chipper late didnt help even though it was a tough hop…that’s baseball..today’s another day..let’s take 2/3 here and go sweep the brew crew before getting home…team chemistry is fine…i am growing more concerned about Nate M…i like him as a player but hes just not getting the job done and spring training is not regular season – it’s what you do NOW that counts NATE!
chris
April 3rd, 2011
10:25 am
We’re going to be fine this year..we have a good solid team..and not every game we play will feel like January and hailing….the Nats are not as bad as people think..they have a solid team top to bottom and if they play well they are going to give a lot of teams fits not just the Braves
mark
April 3rd, 2011
10:50 am
It’s my birthday. I want a Braves Win!
The Red
April 3rd, 2011
10:57 am
Isn’t it amazing to see folks so excited over something so fundamental as a squeeze bunt? Remember the one against the Twins last year?
The Red
April 3rd, 2011
11:02 am
Ted M – He didn’t attempt to throw home when Werth scored. I think McLouth is hiding the fact that his arm is hurt. Just sayin…
Larry
April 3rd, 2011
11:04 am
GovClintonTyree wrote: “Other thing is, as a pitcher throws more pitches, the ligaments and joints lengthen and wear and a pitcher rarely keeps the speed he had when he came up. Expect a mile or two of lost speed.”
I pitched for 9 years….over the past 25+ years I also have participated in hundreds of cardiothoracic, trauma, neuro and orthopaedic surgeries. This in nonsense!
Losing significant velocity for a 25 year old without surgery is absolutely the exception, not the rule. I could name you a 100 current day pitchers with almost the identical velocity in their mid 30’s as they had in their early 20’s. Look at Hudson today. Even after surgery he’s throwing at the same top-end velocity (92-93) as the day he came in the league. John Smoltz–after three surgeries–was humming it at the same 94-97 MPH in 2006 as he was in 1991.
No, something has happened to Hanson’s and Jurrjens’ fast ball the past 12 months or so and their records and ERA reflect this versus their 2009 season. Either they regain this weapon or we will need to adjust our expectations to what was a potential #1 or #2 starter to 4th or 5th starter and average to slightly above average ML pitchers. Nothing wrong with this, but look for them to descend in the pitching rotation when some of the other young guns develop this or next season. You just may see one or both wearing different uniforms in the next 2-3 years. Hope not, but talent will not be denied and the Braves are loaded with great arms in the minors and Mr. Medlin will be back soon–something’s got to give!
63 year Braves fan
April 3rd, 2011
11:16 am
Hanson is consistently high in the strike zone at 90 to 92 m.p.h. Can’t get the double play ground balls
needed to kill rallies. Until he can keep all his pitches low in the strike zone like Lowe & Hudson, he
will be no better than a .500 pitcher. Just doesn’t have enough pop and movement on his fast ball.
Larry
April 3rd, 2011
12:01 pm
63 year Braves fan,
Bingo! You get it!
Sweet Old Buck
April 3rd, 2011
12:18 pm
How about some straight talk on Jair Jurrjens? This guy is going on the DL, but the word is, “Not to worry”. I’ll stop worrying when I see him make his start in Milwaukee.
N8
April 3rd, 2011
12:21 pm
Larry, Millwood did the same thing. How’s the old Leo phrase go? Better to locate at 95 percent velocity than always throw at 100 percent effort? Something like that.
Remember Maddux when he closed that game against SD in the playoffs? If I recall correctly, he hit 93-94 on the gun that inning. Perfect example of a guy (probably THE best guy), locating and using movement.
I agree with you about Hanson’s movement. He needs to either:
A) Become more consistent with the early location of the fastball, so he can use that big 12/6 curveball.
or
B) Find a way to incorporate a 2-seam fastball with some movement into his arsenal.
Because you are right, if Hanson is to be a true Ace, he can’t sit at 90-92 without movement and expect to survive everygame.
That being said, other than the control issues he had yesterday, he managed to survive all those issues last year.
When Tommy finds his command, he’ll find his groove.
tim
April 3rd, 2011
12:29 pm
so glad to see McSucks carried over from spring training. Dump his sorry behind now any warm body can do what he is doing. When is management going to open their eyes to this bum?
Larry
April 3rd, 2011
1:13 pm
As for McLouth, of course everyone has the freedom to express their opinions or disappointment. But, come on, it has been two games for Pete’s sake.
He may or may not get it done, but some of the downright hatred and venom being spewed upon this man is pretty sad and disproportionate for the game of baseball don’t you think. Here’s a really nice, hardworking young man well liked by his teammates and to my knowledge hasn’t so much as a parking ticket and some of you talk about him like he’s “Packman” Jones or Ben Roethlisberger.
Why don’t you try pulling for the kid to get a hit today? He sure is giving it his best! I always pull for a person that tries his best and is a model citizen.