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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,690 comments Add your comment
nolie
February 27th, 2012
10:51 am
maybe, maybe not. at least the homers guarantee at least one run and they were not all solo, the OBP guarantees nothing especially if he is hitting 8th.
I’m not bitching about the guy, I just think that many here are assuming a larger improvement than is likely to occur.
I am open to being wrong though
nolie
February 27th, 2012
10:52 am
I need those guys to drop by SW Fla and make my yard look like that
Lemke's Knuckler
February 27th, 2012
10:54 am
I don’t think Freeman will regress at all. I don’t remember seeing that he has any particular hole in his swing. He’s got that pesky ability to wrist flip those outside pitches over third base that I’m sure drives the opposing pitchers crazy. Nothing worse that busting a guy in to set up the away pitch, then see him dunk that ball the other way.
Heyward, on the other hand, after that first full season, you could tell opposing teams had scouted him well and knew the bust him in until he proved he could adjust. Trying to look at it objectively, I can’t think of any specific way opposing teams could attack Freeman. I guess maybe more off-speed stuff, but he makes consistent contact all over the zone so I don’t think he’ll have any problems adjusting to changes in speed.
We have a good one at first for years to come.
nolie
February 27th, 2012
10:56 am
throw more lefties at him and more breaking stuff
JerseyGil
February 27th, 2012
10:56 am
DOB…Thanks for those Pic….The young Braves Special Instructor look in good Shape….Justice & Crime Dog look they can Still in play shape.
Billy
February 27th, 2012
10:57 am
Well I should have given the lawn tractor guy, that mows the grass some props, along with the other two.
Arkansas Transplant
February 27th, 2012
10:58 am
If he maintains a high OBP, I guarantee you this, he won’t be hitting 8th all season.
nolie
February 27th, 2012
10:59 am
looks like most are projecting Freeman at around 810 this season
Billy
February 27th, 2012
10:59 am
Where did my other comma go?
nolie
February 27th, 2012
10:59 am
depends on what OBPs the others have.
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:01 am
and I do not believe he will maintain one high enuff to make him move though it should be much higher than Gonzo’s was
TennesseePaul
February 27th, 2012
11:01 am
Cool pics DOB.
Maybe it’s just me, but Justice is showing some age in those photos. Of course, I still see him in my mind as a 26/27 year old RF…
Billy
February 27th, 2012
11:01 am
I see Freeman as the Braves future 3 hole hitter and if Pastor does well he could project as leadoff or 2 hole future hitter
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:04 am
Freeman is too much of a baseclogger to hit third, more likely 4th or fifth as he matures.
TennesseePaul
February 27th, 2012
11:04 am
I don’t remember seeing that he has any particular hole in his swing.
The breaking pitches. But then, I wonder how much of that impact in statistical relevance showed up during his pull-streaks… That is to say, when he is using his line drive, whole field, approach, does he fall victim to the breaking pitch at a high rate?
Lemke's Knuckler
February 27th, 2012
11:05 am
CB…”Lemke’s needs a girlfriend”
My wife might object to that.
DawgDad…”The Braves GM is making life awfully tough on Freeman and Heyward, not to mention the veteran lefties and Jones. That lineup would look a LOT different with a big right-handed bat in the middle of the order.”
I don’t agree. The Braves are as balanced lefty/right as they’ve ever been. They have 4 full-time lefties, 3 full-time righties and one switch hitter. Then Hinske and Diaz from both sides off the bench. What more could you ask for. And don’t say Pujols, because that’s just not realistic.
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:06 am
The breaking pitches…10P
hey I already said that. plagiarism is a crime yaknow…
Bravofan
February 27th, 2012
11:08 am
Has anyone ever been to the Yankees spring training camp?
raleighbravefan
February 27th, 2012
11:09 am
Although Heyward must make adjustments (and I believe he will), I believe much of his problems were caused by his injuries, and resulting compensation. If healthy, I believe he will be the great (or at least well above average) hitter he has always been prior to 2011.
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:11 am
I agree raleigh. he looked a lot different in the minors than last season, I think it was bad mechanics from compensating for discomfort of some level
CB
February 27th, 2012
11:11 am
I believe Freeman should be our cleanup hitter this year,makes more contact than Uggla and plays more than McCann. Man is going to be a stud very soon.
Lemke's Knuckler
February 27th, 2012
11:12 am
TennesseePaul,
I said breaking pitches is the one area I could see opposing pitchers attacking him. But when I’m talking about holes, I’m talking about zones where he has trouble making consistent contact with pitches. Heyward had/has an obvious hole up and in. I don’t remember seeing Freeman consistently swing and miss on any particular zone because his hands are so quick. But yes, I agree when he was pull happy, he was swinging over the breaking pitches or rolling the ball over to first.
Billy
February 27th, 2012
11:12 am
Bravofan living in SW Florida gives me access to all the ballparks. I will be in Tampa on the 10th watching the Yankees/Braves. The 9th I will be in Sarasota Orioles/Braves
Bravo_F 52
February 27th, 2012
11:12 am
Nolie do you think Fredi should break the L R L and let FF follow J-Hey or break em up withUggla?
in say the 3..4.and..5..hole
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:12 am
his hands and his body were not working in harmony last season, I think he was starting his arms early to get around enuff
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:13 am
where in SW Fla Billy?
MFin04
February 27th, 2012
11:14 am
“Freeman is too much of a baseclogger to hit third, more likely 4th or fifth as he matures.”
Well he isn’t as fast as Uggla or Heyward, but he isn’t as slow as McCann or Chipper.
If we’re going by speed…
Bourn
Prado
Heyward
Uggla
Freeman
Chipper
McCann
Pastornicky*
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:15 am
I don’t think the LRLRLR is important enough to make it the main basis for a lineup F52
Billy
February 27th, 2012
11:15 am
Punta Gorda
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:15 am
he is definitely slower than Chipper
cowdogit
February 27th, 2012
11:16 am
All the brave’s hitting coachs have been slugger’s. The brave’s problem is they can not make contact with less than two outs and a runner at third. I would be nice if they hired a good contact hitter as a coach.
cowdogit
February 27th, 2012
11:16 am
All the brave’s hitting coachs have been slugger’s. The brave’s problem is they can not make contact with less than two outs and a runner at third. I would be nice if they hired a good contact hitter as a coach.
raleighbravefan
February 27th, 2012
11:16 am
Fredi seems married to the alternating L&R strategy.
David O'Brien
February 27th, 2012
11:17 am
Maybe it’s just me, but Justice is showing some age in those photos. Of course, I still see him in my mind as a 26/27 year old RF… — TennPaul
He’ll be 46 in April.
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:18 am
yeah at least last year he seemed that way raleigh. I think it has some substance but it’s not as important as he thinks
Arkansas Transplant
February 27th, 2012
11:18 am
I think Freeman will slot either 5th or 6th long term.
TennesseePaul
February 27th, 2012
11:18 am
He’ll be 46 in April.
Yeah… I know. It’s just me.
TennesseePaul
February 27th, 2012
11:19 am
But when I’m talking about holes, I’m talking about zones where he has trouble making consistent contact with pitches.
Yeah. I don’t recall anything other than the breaking pitches but this season will expose it if it’s there.
raleighbravefan
February 27th, 2012
11:20 am
nolie – Agree. Should be one factor to consider, along with others. It has merit, but should not be the most important consideration.
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:20 am
could be AT, I’m thinkin’ 4 or 5 as he adds a bit more power
Billy
February 27th, 2012
11:20 am
nolie is that close to you?
Bravo_F 52
February 27th, 2012
11:20 am
Good cut on the tune, thank’s DOB your knowledge and supply of Braves data and insight is greatly appreciated
Murph
February 27th, 2012
11:21 am
Word of warning to former MLB.TV subscribers… the plan auto-renews whether you want it to or not. At least it renews with last year’s pricing, so that saved me $5, but I really wasn’t planning on getting it again this year.
To cancel, or not to cancel. That is the question.
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:21 am
yeah pretty close, I’m across the river
Billy
February 27th, 2012
11:23 am
That puts you closer to the Rays spring training site
nolie
February 27th, 2012
11:24 am
guy names John who used to come on once in a while who is in Cape Coral, havent seen him for a while though
Mixxo
February 27th, 2012
11:25 am
Love seeing the Crime Dog in camp!
Billy
February 27th, 2012
11:26 am
I’m close to North Fort Myers which gives me real close access to the Red Sox, Twins and not that far from Rays.
beachcomber
February 27th, 2012
11:26 am
Some good spring training news – the Braves are on MLB Network nine times this spring beginning Friday, March 9. Some are tape delays but a good bunch of views of prospects as well as how the regulars are rounding into shape or rebounding from injuries.
Billy
February 27th, 2012
11:27 am
I’m not that far from Cape Coma (Coral)
Bravofan
February 27th, 2012
11:28 am
Billy: tips on how to get autographs etc anything would be appreciated.
Bravo_F 52
February 27th, 2012
11:29 am
Thanks for the Hed_zup MLBN is what makes my cable bill seem worth it
beachcomber
Bravofan
February 27th, 2012
11:31 am
Does anyone know about at bat 12 for android?
On this link on MLBsite it says it will be available feb 29th I don’t see it in the android marketplace.
Any help?
http://mlb.mlb.com/mobile/atbat/
Billy
February 27th, 2012
11:33 am
Get there real early for autographs. Players are there to work and will give autographs as long as it doesn’t interferre with their work. Home games find a spot to the right of the dugout down the 1st baseline along the railing. Away games just the opposite down the 3rd baseline. Bring your own pen
Bravofan
February 27th, 2012
11:34 am
Billy sounds awesome!
PMC
February 27th, 2012
11:39 am
Would love to see a 50 double season from Freeman.
Ease
February 27th, 2012
11:39 am
Why don’t you wait until Feb. 29th to find out?
Arkansas Transplant
February 27th, 2012
11:40 am
Murph, yeah I caught that this year. There was suppose to be a setting in your profile to avoid that from happening which I had set but it looks like they conveniently overlooked. Luckly I was able to cancel before they charged me, I haven’t decided if I was going to renew yet or not.
Nolie, he very well could fall into the 4 hole if he was about to develop more power and maintain consistency. I just hope he continues to develop.
Soph
February 27th, 2012
11:41 am
Meanie
Lemke's Knuckler
February 27th, 2012
11:41 am
As far as Heyward, I think we’ll know by the first week of the season what type of year he’s going to have. It’s no secret he’s going to get a steady diet and high and tight and pitchers are not going to let him extend his arms. If he’s pulling his hands in, instead of releasing that lead arm too soon, and driving those inside pitches to right-center, then all is right with the world. Otherwise, it could be a long season. I’m very excited to see what his adjusted swing looks like.
DOB, any comment on the adjustments to Heyward’s swing? Can you tell a big difference in any part of the swing?
Soph
February 27th, 2012
11:43 am
Crime Dog looks great.
DAP
February 27th, 2012
11:44 am
nolie I don’t think there will be much OPS difference DAP, the speed will be an asset to some degree but with less power
if he hits with a reasonable average (which he most likely will, as a contact hitter with speed), it will be almost impossible not to OPS better, unless you think rev might OBP .270 as well.
im betting he OBPs at least .300, whcih right there makes a big OPS difference, even if he can only slug .372 (gonzo’s mark from last year).
im pretty confident rev will be able to out OPS gonzo by at least 45 points.
Bravofan
February 27th, 2012
11:45 am
Ease: wow I can’t believe that collegehas clogged my brain unbelievable
George
February 27th, 2012
11:45 am
Read the excellent DOB blog on FREDDY. FREDDY could well become the CHIPPER type franchise player fpr years to come with the BRAVES. He has the right attude in hitting for aveage not trying to kill the ball, with his size the HRs will come naterually. To bad the BRAVES ruined JASON by overhypeing him two years ago. FREDDY and JASON with BRIAN would have made a really good heart of the lineup.
Lemke's Knuckler
February 27th, 2012
11:49 am
George…”FREDDY and JASON with BRIAN would have made a really good heart of the lineup.”
Would have? Is Heyward’s career over? Have I been asleep that long and it’s 2018 already?
DAP
February 27th, 2012
11:50 am
MFin04 Well he isn’t as fast as Uggla or Heyward, but he isn’t as slow as McCann or Chipper.
freeman is probably slower than chipper. chipper still runs pretty good.
ncscoots
February 27th, 2012
11:53 am
It’s no secret [Heyward is] going to get a steady diet and high and tight and pitchers are not going to let him extend his arms
What do you think pitchers are gong to do to Freeman, who hit 16 of his 21 dingers from right-center over? Gas on the hands and breaking balls in.
Lemke's Knuckler
February 27th, 2012
11:53 am
PMC…”Would love to see a 50 double season from Freeman.”
That’s precisely what I’m predicting for Prado. It’s hard to believe the Braves ranked 3rd in the NL in homers last year, but dead last in combined doubles/triples.
Jack G
February 27th, 2012
11:55 am
There are two types of errors. Costly and Harmless—-unfortunately they are counted in the same column.
George
February 27th, 2012
11:56 am
Lemke’s Knuckler 11:49
Jason sad to say will never be a good BA hitter. Look for his lifetime BA to be in the .240s or maybe .250s with a lot of HRs could be close to 400 HRs, but a .250 hitter is NOT a GOOD number four spot hitter.
Ease
February 27th, 2012
12:00 pm
Bravofan, stick to the booze and drugs…lay off the books, they addle your brain…
Bat Masterson
February 27th, 2012
12:01 pm
George _
.290 / .390 / .500 for Heyward this year
Bravo_F 52
February 27th, 2012
12:04 pm
put me down in the Bat camp gotta go to work peace out
ncscoots
February 27th, 2012
12:04 pm
Got a new light-bulb for the Bat Signal, I see.
Where you been, brother?
George
February 27th, 2012
12:05 pm
Welcome Back Bat, we all missed you. As to JASON hope you are right.
Ease
February 27th, 2012
12:05 pm
but a .250 hitter is NOT a GOOD number four spot hitter.
So Heyward is penciled in as the clean-up hitter?
Ease
February 27th, 2012
12:06 pm
As to JASON hope you are right.
Liar.
Lemke's Knuckler
February 27th, 2012
12:08 pm
George, if you went 180 degrees in the opposite direction, I would agree with you. You’re comparing him with guys like Adam Dunn and Russell Branyan. He’s almost the exact opposite of those guys. He’s a line drive type hitter more in the mold of a Cliff Floyd. If he’s hitting .240 every season, then I guarantee you he’s not hitting 30 homers a season and won’t even sniff close to 400 career. His average and homers will go hand in hand. As one goes, so does the other. I guarantee it.
Lee Hayden
February 27th, 2012
12:08 pm
None of the articles about Tommy Hanson’s accident that I have read have said anything about whether he was wearing his seat belt. I suspect he wasn’t, not smart!! Normally your head won’t hit anything if you are wearing your seat belt. I once got rear ended and flew forward until my head hit the rearview mirror before the seatbelt locked. Without my seatbelt it would have been head through the windshield. Wise up Tommy and buckle up if you want to become the Braves’ ace.
Bat Masterson
February 27th, 2012
12:08 pm
Hey scoots,
I’ve been really busy with work, taxes( corp& personal) and my mother and brother being in and out of the hospital.
I’ve been trying to keep up but no time to wade in.
George
February 27th, 2012
12:09 pm
My advise to BRAVES trade JASON for McCutchen now while he has McCutchen TYPE VALUE.
Billy
February 27th, 2012
12:09 pm
Jack G there are basements alive with a furious ferver of commotion and activity, as we speak, designing new stats, that will reflect 3 column error totals. CE- Costly Errors. HE- Harmless Errors. GLE- Game Losing Error
Eventually there will be a stat for every possible move made on a baseball field.
Bat Masterson
February 27th, 2012
12:09 pm
Thanks, George
CB
February 27th, 2012
12:10 pm
Ease,are you in DAP’s league?
Billy
February 27th, 2012
12:11 pm
SULFGTLG- Showed up late for game team lost game
CB
February 27th, 2012
12:11 pm
Bat,good to see you back. Not the same place without you.
ncscoots
February 27th, 2012
12:12 pm
Bat, sorry to hear about the family illnesses, hope eveything is getting better in that arena.
As to the other stuff, you get no pity. Gotta strap on the leotard, regardless.
Bat Masterson
February 27th, 2012
12:13 pm
None of the articles about Tommy Hanson’s accident that I have read have said anything about whether he was wearing his seat belt. Lee Hayden
Read them again, Lee. He was bruised up from the seat belt.
Drew
February 27th, 2012
12:13 pm
I LOVE FREDDIE FREEMAN!! No “sophomore slump” for him — he’s already proven that he can make the necessary adjustments to thrive in the MLB. And I remember seeing him do the splits several times to nab throws at first. He definitely has quite a few gold gloves ahead of him.
George
February 27th, 2012
12:13 pm
Your very welcome Bat. Hope your familys health issues have improved.
ncscoots
February 27th, 2012
12:14 pm
SULFGTLG- Showed up late for game team lost game
FTGSO – failure to get standing ovation. A high FTGSO Index makes you trade bait.
BravePack
February 27th, 2012
12:14 pm
ncscoots
February 27th, 2012
11:53 am
It’s no secret [Heyward is] going to get a steady diet and high and tight and pitchers are not going to let him extend his arms
What do you think pitchers are gong to do to Freeman, who hit 16 of his 21 dingers from right-center over? Gas on the hands and breaking balls in.
It’s all good Freeman can turn on gas in on his hands and wait patiently for those breaking balls. The more he sees at this level the better he’ll adjust to the breaking stuff.
Bat Masterson
February 27th, 2012
12:14 pm
CB_
Kind of you to say, thanks.
Ease
February 27th, 2012
12:14 pm
Dropping Bombs
CB
February 27th, 2012
12:16 pm
Cool.
bruce
February 27th, 2012
12:16 pm
Tommy Hanson photo side by side with D-Lowe in black and white… bet that’s pretty close.
cabravesfan
February 27th, 2012
12:17 pm
I think nolie was bitter that he didn’t win the last blog. Gonna be hard to catch him on this one…
MFin04
February 27th, 2012
12:18 pm
“SULFGTLG- Showed up late for game team lost game
FTGSO – failure to get standing ovation. A high FTGSO Index makes you trade bait.”
Now are we talking in the clubhouse or on the field ovation? Because Braves never seem to like the guys who perform on the field, but don’t get standing ovations in the locker room. Those guys get traded for poor on base, poor attitude, great fielding players.
Venice Jim
February 27th, 2012
12:18 pm
Pastornicky on 680 right now…
George
February 27th, 2012
12:18 pm
Just a warning with FREDDY , He may have a slow start to season, that is how his minor league career has gone, but he will have a fine season this year , could well be a ALL-STAR.