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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,315 comments Add your comment
Tomahawk Mafia
June 26th, 2011
5:38 pm
Heyward’s UZR is -3.6 right now on fangraphs partly because of a -2.0 based upon his arm. He seems to range to his left and right well, but has trouble moving forward and backward on the ball. Overall, we must say that we need more data to arrive at concrete conclusions about his defense based on the advance metrics.
Smokin' Sammy
June 26th, 2011
5:38 pm
That is a great interview. David Ross has unusually insightful perspective and a realistic view that will make him a very fine manager some day, hopefully well into the future (because we like him as a Brave).
nolee
June 26th, 2011
5:38 pm
OK. C’mon Jordan. get on base. pretend you are leading off the game!!
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
June 26th, 2011
5:39 pm
jeffrey d! Not you, too!
nolee
June 26th, 2011
5:39 pm
a triple here would be real nice
jungleland sax solo
June 26th, 2011
5:39 pm
Braves commercials have been funny. Marteeeen playin the organ & being PA guy..Haha…Mahaps they should let him gun down ski lift boys in ths next ad. Or stab Marcel.
Nova Scotia Steve
June 26th, 2011
5:39 pm
1 hit
JasonInFL
June 26th, 2011
5:40 pm
i really don’t understand how this team can go from what it was last year offensively to what it is this year. absolutely amazing. I don’t think they would be this bad if Bobby was around.
Smart Jay
June 26th, 2011
5:40 pm
Mike in FL – I don’t use fangraphs, but glancing at it, they seem to rate him lower than the stats on BR defensively. He’s not a GREAT defensive catcher, but, he’s better than average. It’s his defense on BR’s site that brings his overall WAR down, so they agree there.
Nolee – as for Braves fans, I think it’s watching him throw. He had some serious issues last season, but he seems to be better this year. I haven’t looked at those CS numbers, but, we do have at least 1 pitcher (Hanson) who can’t hold anyone on, so that doesn’t help. There’s nothing wrong with his game calling (read this article and look at the results) and fielding hasn’t been an issue. I don’t get it with fans. Their eyes deceive them.
I could look at the CS numbers and compare, but I don’t feel like it, honestly. Someone else can feel free to, though.
The lawyer
June 26th, 2011
5:40 pm
We need a right-handed outfield bat in the worst way imaginable. Even when Prado gets back, we still need a right-handed bat to plug in against lefties. This is really a punchless lineup against left-handed starters.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
June 26th, 2011
5:40 pm
Ross cann be our manager after Fredi leaves…
Haha! Would be kinda fun to have Ross manage the team while BMac is still playing—bet he’d give BMac a “hard(er) time”!
But I’d rather have Ross as BMac’s backup…
Bat Masterson
June 26th, 2011
5:40 pm
That was quick
nolee
June 26th, 2011
5:41 pm
yeah I agree about needing more data, especially with UZR since its creator claims you need 3-5 years worth.
JasonInFL
June 26th, 2011
5:41 pm
with the last of baserunners, i think i would have given the take sign there. but, you can see the logic for letting him swing.
TNScott
June 26th, 2011
5:41 pm
Well, that was an easy inning. New Padre pitcher, same result.
jeffrey d
June 26th, 2011
5:41 pm
An honest question, McFann…I’m curious
JasonInFL
June 26th, 2011
5:42 pm
Pretty punchless against any pitcher, but I see what you are saying.
Tomahawk Mafia
June 26th, 2011
5:43 pm
I really dislike that 3-0 out that Chipper just made. How about some baserunners and seeing some more pitches. Oh well, he knows what he is doing at the plate.
Jerry
June 26th, 2011
5:44 pm
Can’t wait to see what this Spence kid does against someone other than the Braves.
TNScott
June 26th, 2011
5:44 pm
Do you know the way to Atlanta, Jose?
MikeInFl
June 26th, 2011
5:44 pm
nolee, I don’t know. I’m not a big fan of defensive stats anyway. But Fangraphs has him at -14.8 UZR/150 (which is way below average) and 2 Defensive Runs Saved, which is about average.
Just watching him, I’m disappointed in his defense, but as you’ve pointed out many times, he’s young and seems to have all the tools to improve; and also, it’s right field. You’re really not gonna win or lose a whole lot of games with RF defense.
nolee
June 26th, 2011
5:44 pm
Schafer must notta been able to convince himself that the game was just starting.
lets see 400 BA on the first inning and .000 for the other 3 or 4 ABs = ?????
Elonbrave
June 26th, 2011
5:45 pm
Nolee, is that legitimate? He’s only hit in his first AB??
CaptainMudderland
June 26th, 2011
5:46 pm
Enter your comments here
David O'Brien
June 26th, 2011
5:46 pm
I’m sorry DOB, but if the Twins are moving an ALL STAR catcher like JOE MAUER to 1st base…moving Brian McCann to 1st base on the Braves isn’t that far fetched. — Supes
Maybe it isn’t with you, but it is with the team and all parties involved. And that was the reason I wrote it, to find out what they thought about the subject.
MikeInFl
June 26th, 2011
5:46 pm
btw, agree that UZR is useless on half a season, or even 1 1/2 seasons. Heck, the ‘creators’ of it say it’s likely to be useless after 10 seasons!
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
5:46 pm
Yeah 1 hit through 6 innings is rough, but the two lefties we’ve faced so far are pretty damn good and new. New meaning the scouting hasn’t gotten all the way around yet which is obvious. The starter today was whiffing the Red Sox hitters left and right in the clips they were showing, so it’s not just us.
Jerry
June 26th, 2011
5:47 pm
Wow, had completely forgotten that Bret Boone played for the Braves.
Jerry
June 26th, 2011
5:48 pm
Hudson still hasn’t had a clean inning through 6 innings.
nolee
June 26th, 2011
5:48 pm
yeah just stuff to kick around Mike. we’ll see as he ages, but I will admit to being kinda surprised after seeing him some in the minors and reading all the scouting reports on his D at that time.
I still think he may he having a bit of trouble coping with what is likely the first serious lack of success that he has ever had in baseball. Maybe a mini Francoeur syndrome ?
Bat Masterson
June 26th, 2011
5:49 pm
I haven’t looked at those CS numbers, but, we do have at least 1 pitcher (Hanson) who can’t hold anyone on, so that doesn’t help. _ Smart Jay
Heap was 4th in MLB last year CS% .300 ….. They do run on Heap a lot, 120 times
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
June 26th, 2011
5:49 pm
jeffrey d—
I was just messin’ with ya!
I guess it’s one of those things…it might, but it might not. When he’s older, it might be an option…
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
5:49 pm
Just wasting time and hand energy with my last post. Y’all will bit** until we start winning and then bit** how we still looked bad and had a rough time beating this Padres team.
MikeInFl
June 26th, 2011
5:50 pm
nolee, agreed. Both at the plate and on D, Heyward sometimes seems like he thinks too much about how to handle things, rather than letting natural ability take over. Maybe he’s always been “coached” so much that he’s never really developed his natural instincts. Even though he seems to have tremendous natural skills.
Or some such happy b.s.
bravesgrl4life
June 26th, 2011
5:50 pm
Need to go ahead and pull Tim out. Not looking good.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
June 26th, 2011
5:51 pm
Another SB…out pitchers are driving me BATTY with that this year…Oh my gosh.
CaptainMudderland
June 26th, 2011
5:51 pm
@Jeffrey d…..were you messing with me earlier today?
ted william's head
June 26th, 2011
5:52 pm
down here in the Macon area Uggla is refered to Last as in Last Uggla no kidding
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
5:52 pm
Ump today is guessing behind the plate. He doesn’t have a clue.
Soph
June 26th, 2011
5:53 pm
Pretty pitch
nolee
June 26th, 2011
5:54 pm
its an exaggeration Elon , but monty was pointing out that he was hitting 400+ leading off a game. since he is hitting. 215/.591 or whatever overall, the rest of his at bats during a game must be pretty dang pitiful to bring the overall down that low, but I haven’t really looked it up. Mostly just bustin’ monty’s chops a bit.
bravesgrl4life
June 26th, 2011
5:54 pm
Way to get out of it Huddy!
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
5:54 pm
Hush backup catcher. Your pitchers have been getting those calls all day too. Idiot.
jeffrey d
June 26th, 2011
5:55 pm
@Jeffrey d…..were you messing with me earlier today?
I don’t think so…what did I say/do?
Ronald Millsaps
June 26th, 2011
5:56 pm
Whether Brian McCann is the best hitter at his position in the NL or the third- or fourth-best isn’t the point; his production for us would still be just that.
Again, one hit through six innings.
Why is Uggla batting out of place yet again?
Where’s the sense of urgency in fixing this offense?
Tomahawk Mafia
June 26th, 2011
5:56 pm
The advanced defensive metrics may have some flaws, but then again triangulating the data with direct observation combines to create a pretty good picture of how good a player is defensively. Using Heyward for example, UZR rates him about average in his first season and a half out in right field and based upon my observation I would agree with those numbers. He misses a few balls that should be caught and then sometimes he ranges over and makes a nice catch in the gap or near the line.
nolee
June 26th, 2011
5:56 pm
dat jeffrey d is always messin’ wit somebody….
The lawyer
June 26th, 2011
5:56 pm
If I were McCann I wouldn’t want to be moved. Where he is now, he’s an elite catcher offensively. He’s well on his way to a Hall of Fame career, if he stays at catcher another seven or eight years. At that point, he can prolong his career with a move to first. Silly argument here on the blog, but I can’t say it’s the first time I’ve seen a silly argument on here. Right-handed stick please, we need someone with some righty thump… I hate that they let Diaz go…
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
5:58 pm
I’ll admit this game might be tough to win. Well, Qualls is coming in, so maybe a chance for a run here.
Do it!
June 26th, 2011
5:58 pm
God told Fredi to put him there Ronnie, and he also told him not to worry so much, that things will work out like they are supposed to
Ronald Millsaps
June 26th, 2011
5:58 pm
Sheffield was a slight disappointment in his first year here (2002– one of the truly-great teams this team ever fielded), but Uggla has been a flat-out amazement. Nice game last night, though.
Again, he’s getting misused. Why acquire someone you’re going to misuse?
Tomahawk Mafia
June 26th, 2011
6:00 pm
looks like last night’s good offensive performance was a mirage. They really looked good in many facets of the game last night and now today they have been dominated. Has anybody really put good wood on the ball today for the Braves? I guess McLouth’s double was well hit.
Ronald Millsaps
June 26th, 2011
6:00 pm
“do it”– Don’t type any irreverent nonsense, pal. Seriously, your post is overflowing with it, as your worldview clearly is.
CaptainMudderland
June 26th, 2011
6:00 pm
….And once again I’m standing here waiting, waiting for someone to score–who knows–I’d prefer if a Brave could do it, but realize {sometimes}….my team just blows!
LAG
June 26th, 2011
6:00 pm
Hmm, Chad Qualls.
The lawyer
June 26th, 2011
6:00 pm
How exactly is he being misused? He’s not hitting, but he’s not being misused.
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
6:01 pm
OMG! This place is full of nerds. Sabre metrics, UZR? Silly.
nolee
June 26th, 2011
6:02 pm
good observations Mafia. I am not a true believer that they are infallible, bit I do think they tell us things that we can miss if we do not watch every play.
Like with most things the more tools you can and are willing to use to evaluate , the more likely you are to be in the ballpark at least
Mixxo
June 26th, 2011
6:02 pm
Ross wants to go yard here.
CaptainMudderland
June 26th, 2011
6:02 pm
@Jeffrey d…..No problem dude, just saw where a comment of mine was reposted under your name….no biggy at all….just saying.
nolee
June 26th, 2011
6:03 pm
almost as silly as TnBs…
T for Texas
June 26th, 2011
6:03 pm
Dang. Both teams have to go through a lot of bullpen before they get to a pitcher that gives up many runs. Can we just go to extra innings now?
jeffrey d
June 26th, 2011
6:03 pm
Oh yeah, that wasn’t me…It was Lou. Not sure what his intent was, but whatever.
MFin04
June 26th, 2011
6:03 pm
Can’t….hit…..left-handed….pitching.
Lefties…do not….compute….
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
6:04 pm
Our guys look tired, worn down. Freddie Freeman with his big yawn after that inning ending K says it all.
JasonInFL
June 26th, 2011
6:04 pm
Just downright lost on offense. No approach. No gameplan. Hack and Jack.
jeffrey d
June 26th, 2011
6:05 pm
Freddie Freeman with his big yawn after that inning ending K says it all.
That wasn’t a yawn, it was a roar.
David O'Brien
June 26th, 2011
6:05 pm
O’Flaherty in for 7th, his first back-to-back appearances since the latest back stiffness
Shooter McGavin
June 26th, 2011
6:06 pm
Luebke, Spence and Qualls are the greatest pitchers in MLB history. Boy, the list is getting longer and longer as the season goes…LOL It’s odd that we have to face the best pitchers EVERY game. Oh well…just bad luck, I guess.
nolee
June 26th, 2011
6:06 pm
after 70 some games I’m not sure how realistic it is to expect any other approach….
jeffrey d
June 26th, 2011
6:06 pm
I like Nate’s long hair.
…I miss mine though. I cut it all off last Monday
Kat
June 26th, 2011
6:07 pm
I had to check the box score because I couldn’t remember if we had any RISP so far.. apparently we have 2..well I guess that’s better than the 0 I thought it was, whoops.
G
June 26th, 2011
6:07 pm
No team is better than the Braves at getting shutout by bad teams and out of no where pitchers
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
6:07 pm
Guess you like UZR, Sabre Metrics talk nolee?
T for Texas
June 26th, 2011
6:07 pm
Hudson this week: 14 innings 0.00 ERA 0.86 WHIP. That’s good stuff.
MFin04
June 26th, 2011
6:07 pm
Braves lose this game as soon as a EOF, Venters don’t pitch.
Mixxo
June 26th, 2011
6:08 pm
Oh well, we won one of these at least.
MFin04
June 26th, 2011
6:08 pm
Ballgame. Well. That sucks. We’ll get the next game we play.
nolee
June 26th, 2011
6:09 pm
mine is short now for the summer too. I cut it back to nuttin once every May and let it grow out the rest of the year.
the great thing is that as thick as it still grows, when I do get it cut I can go off my diet all week and still lose weight….
jeffrey d
June 26th, 2011
6:09 pm
Ballgame. Well. That sucks. We’ll get the next game we play.
Ballgame, that’s clever…you just think of that yourself?
Anyway, the Braves aren’t even losing.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 26th, 2011
6:09 pm
The highlight of this game so far has been Joe Simpson’s Anchorman reference.
1991Braves
June 26th, 2011
6:10 pm
Can’t believe there is a team in the N.L. that is worse offensively than the Braves, but i think SanDiego might be that team. The braves are pitiful, one hit in 7 innings. This team has one good game per week offensively, and that is usually due to them facing a terrible pitcher once a week. Other than that one good game, it is the most inept offensive team in the national league. Phils are so much better than the braves offensively, and their pitching will match the braves game per game. Braves had better watch out for of all teams the Nationals. They are finally over 500, and they own the braves.
nolee
June 26th, 2011
6:11 pm
like I sad Brian, the more things you are willing and able to use the closer your evaluations usually are, and not just in baseball.
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
6:11 pm
These poor pitchers. Have to be perfect or they lose.
MFin04
June 26th, 2011
6:11 pm
“Anyway, the Braves aren’t even losing.” Wait for it…wait for it…
G
June 26th, 2011
6:11 pm
He was better when his back was stiff
jeffrey d
June 26th, 2011
6:12 pm
This place is a lot more enjoyable when we’re winning.
Mudge
June 26th, 2011
6:13 pm
All of the California teams are worse offensively than the Braves.
jeff
June 26th, 2011
6:13 pm
here comes the 1 run for the padres to win back to back series from this pitiful joke of an offense. this team is 10 games over the 500 mark for one reason thier pitching. Fire The joke of a hitting coach and get a stinkin new approach and philosophy of how to play baseball. my goodness .. how many more times will this team put up with the MLB network, ESPN the sports pages etc mocking this team consistently everyday. when will this ownership and the GM wren have enough.. I wasted 2 hrs of my day to watch this boring nonsense and watch PRO ballplayers consistently strike out and whiff and not make contact..
nolee
June 26th, 2011
6:14 pm
see y’all later. win us this game guys….
T for Texas
June 26th, 2011
6:14 pm
EOF!
MFin04
June 26th, 2011
6:14 pm
Much rather have an injured EOF pitching than Linebrink or Proctor, that’s for sure.
TnBrian
June 26th, 2011
6:15 pm
Ludwick …. shi*
MikeInFl
June 26th, 2011
6:15 pm
I wish to lodge a formal complaint against referring to the Nats as “owning us,” which so many seem to want to do.
We’re 3-3 against them this year, and 8-10 last year. And in terms of runs scored, it’s tied over the 24 games.
Does that really constitute being “owned?”
Ronald Millsaps
June 26th, 2011
6:15 pm
Uggla between Chipper and McCann would be nicely-placed. The fact that he has struggled most of the year and hasn’t seen notable adjustments– from a manager highly familiar with him– baffles me.
jeffrey d
June 26th, 2011
6:16 pm
Ludwick 1 for 4 with a K against Linebrink
Ronald Millsaps
June 26th, 2011
6:16 pm
The scariest part of this blog is that this is generally the junk you overhear when you buy a ticket.
Nick n Richmond
June 26th, 2011
6:16 pm
Linebrink better be clutch here….
Tomahawk Mafia
June 26th, 2011
6:16 pm
Anyone think that the Padres will finally break through with Linebrink facing Ryan “I usually harm the Braves” Ludwick with the bases loaded?
MFin04
June 26th, 2011
6:17 pm
Linebrink with the bases loaded. Uh-oh