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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,420 comments Add your comment
Ward
May 31st, 2012
3:00 am
I feel Heyward is one step away, and we need to back him all we can, because of the haters on this blog. I think he could hit .280, 38 homers ,95 RBI’s a year. If he could find himself? Once he does look out……..
Ward
May 31st, 2012
3:08 am
All, I’m going to call it night to. Simmons your next Furcal………Peace my friends….Talk tomorrow, and “Go!!!!!Braves!!!!!”
Bobby's Cox
May 31st, 2012
3:17 am
Re: Simmons
I understand the Braves need more defense in the middle of the diamond, but to me, Simmons will be less offensive than Pastornicky. Way more potential IMO than the Pastor, but at this point, we’re taking a hit in the lineup, and I say that knowing Tyler’s stats. Pastornicky hasn’t been a detriment to us defensively. Few errors here & there, but not bad. Also, Simmons is a rookie also. Even Furcal made tons of errors as a rookie.
Oh Ya… GO KINGS GO!!
Bobby's Cox
May 31st, 2012
3:20 am
Re: Heyward
Give it a rest people. No MLB player is a star their first few years in the league. As much as we’d like guys to be immediate All-Stars, it takes seasoning at the MLB level. Let the kid mature. And that goes for Simmons and Pastornicky. If you think Simmons is going to be that much better than Tyler at this point, you’re mistaken. Maybe marginally, but not much, especially offensively.
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
6:19 am
We just felt like right now, we needed a little more and so there’s some areas he could stand to improve. We think he’s got a real good chance to be a real good major league player but right now we think he needs more work. – Frank Wren.
Frank –
So, are you rushing Simmons to make up for the mistake of rushing Pastornicky? Most here knew SS was a concern, last Winter. Didn’t you?
…and fwiw, most here know 3B will be a concern, next year.
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
6:37 am
OBP: Heyward is 14th of 18 NL qualifiers for RF. Pastornicky is 13th of 17 at SS.
TheOnlyBravesFan
May 31st, 2012
6:48 am
I bet Frank is looking to trade my Pastornicky…. especially if he’s not going to play CF at AAA. I was scared that this would happen ever since they traded Sutton….
Good luck Andrelton Simmons, hope your D stays great, and that you can hit adequately.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
May 31st, 2012
6:52 am
Couch Tater, yeah I know, I thought exact same thing when I read that. He should’ve gotten a vet SS who could hit, unlike Jack. But, Simmons is here now and he is an exciting player. Root or toot for him is all thats left to do I guess.
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
7:18 am
Just Let Simmie hit .270 and don’t waste at-bats…
Say what you want about his D but we got more Productive at Bats by the Rev in 2 months than we got all of 2011 from Alex Gonzalez
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
7:20 am
I have been saying it for 5 weeks now that Vennie-Macc is Injured…I’m so worried I might start Smoking Cancer-sticks!
Who knew that Gas Can Durbin would be a better pitcher over the last month than Vennie-Macc…
JasonInFL
May 31st, 2012
7:22 am
Wonder if Jack will still be Huddy’s personal SS now that Simmons is up?
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
7:23 am
I’m worried about my Boy Easy-E as well
I called it in S. Training that none of the O-vent-brel Triple team wasn’t gonna repeat their dominant seasons from a year ago because its damn near impossible, thats how sick they were…but Its alarming that something that was damn near automatic Last year has been seriously inconsistant this year
Getting Petey-Pablo (Moylan) back in 6 weeks is gonna be huge, I’d assume he is gonna take Little Big Man MED’s Role???
JasonInFL
May 31st, 2012
7:24 am
I am confused at why so many of our pitchers have lost velo, especially if they aren’t inured. Eric hit 92 a couple of times last night. JV used to hit 97 consistently; he was hitting 93 consistently a couple of days ago.
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
7:25 am
@JasoninFl
I honestly still don’t know why Wilson is still on the team, I called for him to get Ol Yellered 2 months ago…
If Simmie Struggles, Take it to the Bank that Wren will be looking for a SS at the Trade deadline….
JasonInFL
May 31st, 2012
7:27 am
Nah, Peter has allowed a .406 OBP against lefties for his career compared to a .303 for Meds. Meds has that change-up that was effective against lefties. Peter will have to get lefties out more consistently to be used in a role similar to what Meds was performing.
JasonInFL
May 31st, 2012
7:28 am
T-Hawkin – the famed veteran presence and defensive replacement. I, too, would like someone who can at least hit off the bench. Now that we have Simmons, there would seem to be less of a need for a defensive SS that can’t hit taking up a bench spot.
JasonInFL
May 31st, 2012
7:31 am
For Meds career, lefties have a .677 OPS while righties have a .744. Moylan has allowed a career OPS of .786 to lefties compared to .576 to righties.
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
7:32 am
What Happened in Huddy’s Implosion Inning Last Night? I had to give the Dog a Bath When I called BallGame after we were up 5-0
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
7:33 am
Brian from SC called this one: Simmons coming up, Pastornicky down.
A defensive upgrade, for sure. But offensively? Is Simmons ready?
JasonInFL
May 31st, 2012
7:41 am
I think Simmons will give the team a spark…
Bat Masterson
May 31st, 2012
7:46 am
A spark from Biff
A spark from Simmons
Where’s the rudder?
richbrave
May 31st, 2012
7:59 am
Trying to keep his leg from falling off BAT.
richbrave
May 31st, 2012
8:00 am
DOWN ON THE FARM
MISSISSIPPI
Postponed.
squeezeplay
May 31st, 2012
8:01 am
I’ve been a staunch defender of Jason Heyward in terms of his [so far] being unable to live up to the unfair hype that was heaped on him before he ever played his first major-league game. However, until Mr. Heyward can figure out that he might need to actually adjust his approach at the plate, he’ll never become above-average, let alone a superstar.
Y’all gave me crap last week about Constanza getting a chance in LF. Well, he might be a flash in the pan again this year, but he had 3 hits last night, and he brings solid defense and more speed to the lineup. Let’s see what happens!
Brian from SC
May 31st, 2012
8:06 am
Simmons could hit .160, and he would be an improvement over Pastornicky overall. I don’t think he will hit .160…in fact I think he’ll hit better than Jack Wilson. And I think he will dazzle with the glove.
Nobody is happier today than the Braves pitchers, I promise you.
Bat Masterson
May 31st, 2012
8:09 am
Yeah, I reckon so, rich
phil
May 31st, 2012
8:10 am
Just saw where Rev was dumped to AAA.
Had to be done. The poor kid can’t field even the simplest of grounders. Might as well give Simmons a try. If he can defend, it will certainly be a help.
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
8:14 am
October 13, 2009. Frank and Jamie McCourt separated. Roy Clark and the Braves separated.
Andrelton Simmons (2010) will be the first player to make the majors drafted by Director of Scouting, Tony DeMacio.
DeMacio signed Chipper Jones. Jamie signed David Boies.
Brian from SC
May 31st, 2012
8:16 am
Interesting nugget, Couch Tater.
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
8:23 am
Haven’t been able to watch games, but I’ve checked box scores..
BAS – Yeah, I read Efrim’s honeymoon comment. So many responses…
Bat Masterson
May 31st, 2012
8:28 am
Good stuff this morning, Tater.
ncscoots
May 31st, 2012
8:31 am
Nobody is happier today than the Braves pitchers, I promise you.
Let’s hope they remain so every time Simmons strands a RISP.
It’s quite likely to be often.
The kid definitely showed some signs of improvement with the bat (from his numbers this year, anyway; I haven’t seen him this season) in terms of plate discipline. Might be some hope there. On the other hand, he’s got just a handful of ABs above high-A and he’s about to see stuff from pitchers that he hasn’t envisioned even in nightmares. He’s a player who should, in fact, be given a “reasonable expectation”, LOL. Not that he will be, of course, not here.
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
8:35 am
I think Simmons is being rushed. Not thinking he’s ready to hit major league pitching. If D’s the problem, use Wilson. Simmons may surprise at the plate. I hope so.
flange1
May 31st, 2012
8:35 am
Morning All,
Gotta at least commend FW on being aggressive and making some internal moves to hopefully help the team.
Sorry to see the Rev get dropped, he seemed to be working on improving.
It seemed to me that he was rushing everything he did in the field and that he always tried to throw the ball to first at 120%.
I think he can improve his defense at AAA. Hopefully he will be able to help the team in some way going forward.
Good game last night, the team seemed to have a different attitude with FF in the line up.
The pen will be OK, we just need another decent arm to help. And FW will address that soon….
Brian from SC
May 31st, 2012
8:37 am
Jeff R, I think the Braves clearly view Simmons as better than Wilson, particularly with the glove. They wouldn’t call him up from AA if they didn’t think he was an important piece for them winning games right now.
ncscoots
May 31st, 2012
8:47 am
Good game last night, the team seemed to have a different attitude with FF in the line up.
I don’t know about “attitude”, though I’m sure everybody was gald to be able to get back to their standard sans-Chipper lineup. Stretching the lineup is bound to make those middle-order guys a little looser. Uggla might get a pitch to hit, even.
Missing Chipper is one thing; missing three guys from the middle of the order would be tough for any team. But they seem to have survived it. Even with an eight-game furball, they still managed a 14-15 month and two games out of first.
Ease
May 31st, 2012
8:49 am
Wilson is good enough defensively to where he won’t be a liability, but he is nothing more than a backup. And as people like to say, playing everyday, or even every couple of days exposes that fatc, just like with the other bench folks…
Calling up Simmons is the right move, let him have a chance to prove he can be here. If not, the recall Pastonicky and no harm done. I think here the gains justify the means…
keylargo
May 31st, 2012
8:50 am
I just fail to see all this offense Pastornicky produced over what Gonzalez did not
.248 .281 .324 .605 with 1 HR – Tyler Pastornicky in 12 with Bottom 10% defense
.241 .270 .372 .642 with 15 HR – Alex Gonzalez in 11 with top 10% defense
Bat Masterson
May 31st, 2012
8:53 am
Tyler’s numbers would look better if not for all those productive outs he made.
Ease
May 31st, 2012
8:54 am
Here is an interesting story on Manny’s return to baseball…
A’s Sign Manny Ramirez
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 31st, 2012
8:55 am
Bat M. Tyler’s numbers would look better if not for all those productive outs he made.
True that. ONLY issue with productive outs…
Ease
May 31st, 2012
8:57 am
Although it was pretty awesome last night to see both Pastornicky and Bourn on the bases with Prado up…Key point in the game…exception being the Delivery Guy…
ncscoots
May 31st, 2012
8:58 am
I just fail to see all this offense Pastornicky produced over what Gonzalez did not
I imagine that’s why he went down. With the fact that there is absolutely no range on this IF, at all, I’m sure the thinking was that better offense from that spot was the way to offset an overall poorer defense. Even a magnificent defender at SS can only affect the balls in his zone, after all. Not much impact on the balls hit to the other three guys.
In any event, I’m guessing The Rev would still be up, if he were raking. He didn’t, so down he goes.
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
8:59 am
Good game last night, the team seemed to have a different attitude with FF in the line up
Awww, come on Flange. Faster than a speeding bullet, more comments than Lentz’ loco motive, able to leap tall fences for balls HR bound, it’s..CONNNNSTANZA!!
Playoffs!!!
May 31st, 2012
9:02 am
Would like to have seen the Braves give Pastornicky a shot at playing third base. I like his bat in the lineup.
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:02 am
Brian from SC, I’m sure they do believe that. If this is for defensive purposes mainly, the move works.
I’m just not for rushing key prospects. I really don’t see Simmons impacting the Braves’ fortunes that greatly. The key for the Braves is getting their starting pitching back on track and their bats going again. Those are the difference makers, I believe.
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:06 am
I just fail to see all this offense Pastornicky produced over what Gonzalez did not
Wait a minute. I think Shaun’s metrics could easily prove that Pastornicky has had a significant impact on ” run creation and run prevention.” All right, then, run creation.
flange1
May 31st, 2012
9:06 am
Couch,
I have to admit that Biff was pretty fun to watch last night.
Props to Murph for telling us Bill would contribute last night, and he did!
TennesseePaul
May 31st, 2012
9:09 am
I just fail to see all this offense Pastornicky produced over what Gonzalez did not
That’s just odd. I got blasted when I suggested such as a possibility before the season…
I don’t think Simmons is going to offer more than Pastornicky did with the bat. My reasonable expectation is even worse production offensively from short stop, but a flashy glove. If he has a 48 inch vertical leap and the means to cover practically the entire infield single handedly, that should even out the bat.
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
9:12 am
I’m not sure why some people question sending Rev down instead of Wilson? Why keep a young player on the bench when he can go to Gwinnett and work on his d and get more AB’s to build his confidence. I’d like to see him play some SS, 2B and OF. Maybe the guy can make a living as a utility player in the big leagues instead of a starter. I like all the moves the Braves have made the past few days.
flange1
May 31st, 2012
9:12 am
And if Simmons really is as good as we hope, and will take the SS position for a long while, should the Braves front office start letting the Rev play multiple positions (including all 3 OF positions) so he could be useful to the team as a utility guy ASAP?
I mean in the long run having a guy that can run, can hit for a decent average and play 3B, SS, 2B, and the outfield would be helpful, right?
TennesseePaul
May 31st, 2012
9:13 am
It was good to see Freddie Spectacles Freeman back in the line up. And to see him mash too was very promising.
Did you know, Heyward has a higher strikeout rate than Freeman? 1 K per 4.5 plate appearances (1 K per 4 at bats) vs. 1 K per 4 plate appearances (1 K per 3.5 at bats)….
keylargo
May 31st, 2012
9:15 am
Flange1 – last night was a strange game.
Hudson – blows a 5 run lead but is not involved in the decision
Venters – allows inherited runner to score but is the WP
Georgie – scores go ahead run and has an RBI
Jack Wilson – game winning hit and RBI
Arkansas Transplant
May 31st, 2012
9:18 am
Why in the world is Heyward so far back in the batters box? Did anyone notice where he set up after fouling that ball off his foot? He was basically standing outside the box, there was no way he was going to reach that outside pitch. You could watch them dictate what they were going to do to him. That was a horrible approach at the plate.
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:18 am
I think the Braves owe it to Pastornicky to give him a chance to develop at other positions, where he could help the team longer term. Or trade him, which, I think, is more likely to happen down the road.
Ease
May 31st, 2012
9:18 am
I saw frustration from Heyward last night…especially in that last at bat.
TennesseePaul
May 31st, 2012
9:19 am
Pastornicky was young… people fret over “rushing prospects” with Simmons coming up. Simmons is older than Pastornicky….
This Braves team as a whole is pretty young. Simmons, Heyward and Freeman are all practically born within a month of each other.
Freeman's White Cane
May 31st, 2012
9:20 am
I can honestly say I have been spoiled the last few years watching Braves shortstops. Furcal, Gonzo and yes, even the crazy kid that we sent to Toronto for Gonzo. I took the position for granted so much that I sometimes complained when those guys didn’t come through with the bat. That has changed. I’ll be happy with defensive stability at the position and take offense as gravy.
I held my breath every time a ball was hit to Paster. He’s well below an average big league shortstop. Contrary to what some here have said, he made some boots this year that hurt the team. Some of those boots in fact may have changed the complexion of the game when they happened.
I think Paster will be a major league player one day. I think he has a great head for the game and I like his approach at the plate. Unfortunately, defensively he is playing one of the most important positions on the field. You can’t hide him.
I think everyone knows the Braves get an instant upgrade in the field with Simmons and surely he can out hit Jack Wilson immediately!
I think someone suggested Paster as a utility guy or even second sacker going forward. I can believe that but he ain’t no shortstop.
Arkansas Transplant
May 31st, 2012
9:21 am
Pastornicky I think would be better served at 2nd. I think he would develop quite well there and in the mean time be a very productive utility guy at the major level for us. Possibly even doing some time in the outfield.
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
9:21 am
10Paul….
It’s not like Pastornicky was ever lighting the world on fire with his bat. I think Simmons can do the situational hitting job we need him to do and he seems to have a good eye at the plate so hitting in front of the pitcher should be something he can handle. I think there will be drop off with the bat, but from things I’ve read he’ll be one of the best defensive SS in the league from day 1.
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:24 am
Pastornicky was young… people fret over “rushing prospects” with Simmons coming up. Simmons is older than Pastornicky….
This Braves team as a whole is pretty young. Simmons, Heyward and Freeman are all practically born within a month of each other.
Freeman came up through the system, given full seasons in AA and AAA.
Heyward, in retrospect, may well have been rushed up. The guy has floundered the better part of two seasons.
Simmons couldn’t hit during his trial run in the spring with the Braves. Seven weeks later, he’s going to start popping the ball in the MLB? Maybe, but…
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
9:25 am
Pastornicky I think would be better served at 2nd.
I agree, I’d love to see him playing SS, 2B and some OF while back in Gwinnett.
keylargo
May 31st, 2012
9:27 am
Would like to have seen the Braves give Pastornicky a shot at playing third base. I like his bat in the lineup.
I think the Braves owe it to Pastornicky to give him a chance to develop at other positions,
The Braves gave Pastornicky 52 games at SS and he gave them .248/ .281 /.324/ .605 with 1 HR, no range and no arm at SS. I don’t think anyone is owed anything.
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
9:27 am
Seven weeks later, he’s going to start popping the ball in the MLB? Maybe, but…
but……. (i’ll finish that for you) but at least he won’t let slow rollers in the hole get to the OF.
flange1
May 31st, 2012
9:28 am
KL,
How true, it was a strange game.
After 3 I thought Huddy might have a no-no or at least a shut out, then the seeing eye singles started.
Reid in EAV
May 31st, 2012
9:28 am
Gosh I love the lyrics to that song. Knopfler really knows how to paint a picture.
Freeman's White Cane
May 31st, 2012
9:29 am
“My reasonable expectation is even worse production offensively from short stop, but a flashy glove. If he has a 48 inch vertical leap and the means to cover practically the entire infield single handedly, that should even out the bat.”
48 inch vertical leap? Paster has a 12 inch vertical leap on a good day and he also has the timing of spastic snail. It was almost comical to see him try to time soft liners over his glove. He would leap too early and be back on the ground before the ball cleared him. He would leap too late and the ball would be in the outfield grass before the left the ground. His range? He has none. Where others playing his position would glide over, snag and throw to first, balls up the middle…. Paster would either not get there at all or just dive on it and smother it to keep it in the infield.
Again, I can see him as a big leaguer, just not a shortstop.
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:32 am
Well, “owed” might be the wrong word. But Pastornicky has talent; he’s was a solid hitter last year at Mississippi and, then, briefly, at Gwinnett. The kid needs an route now that he’s out at short. If I’m Pastornicky and his agent, I’d be asking Braves’ management: “What next?”
And whether Pastornicky has ready for prime time is another question.
Freeman's White Cane
May 31st, 2012
9:34 am
Correcting myself. Pastor, not Paster
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:34 am
CrαZy… note my earlier comments about Simmons’ defense. Not questioning his talents one bit.
I just don’t see Simmons as a game-changer for the Braves. Improving the the team’s middle D is a very good thing, but it fails to see the real problem during the Braves’ slump: pitching and hitting went show.
Fish Bisch
May 31st, 2012
9:35 am
Trade Simmons for Derek Jeter.
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:36 am
How about went “south!”
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
9:36 am
I don’t think the Rev has the type of arm to play 3B, but he could be a Omar Infante type utility player in time. Maybe not quite the level Omar is today, but that type of player.
ncscoots
May 31st, 2012
9:38 am
Again, I can see him as a big leaguer, just not a shortstop.
I don’t disagree with that, but he isn’t nearly as feeble at the position as you make out.
Folks here have a tendency to get a little hyperbolic in their criticism of a departing player. Seems that it’s not enough to send the player away by trade or demotion, but the player must be made to appear worthless, to boot. I’ve never quite understood that.
Juan
May 31st, 2012
9:39 am
IMO…The Braves make a Mistake from Spring Training to pick The Rev as a SS.
Simmons play better, show a better Range and strong accurate arm in ST. The only reason that the Braves pick the rev was that he hit 300 in the minor with few game at AAA.But Simmons look more mature for a second yr minor league player.
He remind me at Furcal
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
9:39 am
Jeff I think the biggest problem durring the slup was “Health”.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 31st, 2012
9:39 am
Kind of annoying that the Braves didn’t have a single day off for 20 days, and now they have two in a span of 5 days. Lousy scheduling. Could have used one last week when people were sick and everything (not that the scheduler knew that would happen)…
Freeman's White Cane
May 31st, 2012
9:42 am
“Heyward, in retrospect, may well have been rushed up. The guy has floundered the better part of two seasons. ”
That’s a valid point, but I think expectations for Simmons and for Heyward were/are different. I think the roles they are expected to play are different as well. If Simmons doesn’t hit a lick, I don’t expect his defense will suffer and in this situation, it’s obvious he’s being called up for his glove.
Heyward is a corner outfield. That equals offensive expectations. He hasn’t met those. He can make 3 great plays a night and he will still be judged by his bat. (btw… Heyward’s defensive abilities were oversold to the masses) Simmons can make three great plays a night and not hit and if the team wins, he will be lauded for his contributions.
ncscoots
May 31st, 2012
9:42 am
He remind me at Furcal
I believe Furcal was ROY, wasn’t he? I don’t know if that lines up with “reasonable expectation” for Simmons, LOL.
Ease
May 31st, 2012
9:42 am
No one would dare give him any respect, especially after two wins, but I think Fredi has done a great job of managing the last couple of days. And even during the slump…I don’t think there was anything else he could have done to bust it up…
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:43 am
CrαZy… the starting pitching wasn’t exactly gangbusters. Hudson was tagged again last night. Braves’ bats are waking up, though. I think Hudson, Beachy and Hanson will right themselves. Better days ahead.
jeffrey d
May 31st, 2012
9:43 am
Jeff I think the biggest problem durring the slup was “Health”.
Don’t tell that to George
Couch Tater
May 31st, 2012
9:44 am
I have to admit that Biff was pretty fun to watch last night.
I thought so, too. And, he adds an element of blog comments which has been in muddy waters. Should increase his blOOZ (blog out of zone) rating. blOOZ with feeling.
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:45 am
Freeman’s White Cane… good points about expectations at 9:42 am.
CrαZy
May 31st, 2012
9:48 am
Jeff R….
Health and overall pitching were the cause IMO. I’m really not worried about the bats!! I’m more concerned about the pitching specifically the Starters and Venters.
ncscoots
May 31st, 2012
9:49 am
And, [Constanza] adds an element of blog comments which has been in muddy waters
And we haven’t had much CBI action this year, either. At least, not enough to really make the needle move. I suspect that will change with Jorge around for a few. Good to know. Looking forward to it.
Frankie Wren
May 31st, 2012
9:49 am
Only one game, but what they did last night was occurring often when they were playing good baseball. Putting up a couple runs after the other team puts up a crooked number is huge. Sign of a good team, hopefully it continues.
J Hey 1 multi-hit game in May is just hard to believe. Still if the offense resembles somewhat what it was before the slide, you can live with him in the 7 slot. With him struggling and Simmons not setting the world on fire, it’s imperative that Chipper stays in the 6th slot for some balance down in the order.
keylargo
May 31st, 2012
9:52 am
Heyward, in retrospect, may well have been rushed up. The guy has floundered the better part of two seasons.
Heyward was rushed up, without a doubt. He was the answer to Frank Wren’s 2010 “I’m getting a corner outfielder this winter” annual ritual. He not only rushed Heyward, he cost him a year of club control by jamming him into the starting lineup in April of 2010.
I personally think Jason will come around to be something close to what was projected for him. I’m just scared he will be an ARB II or ARB III when he does.
PS – He did exactly the same thing to Pastornicky this year. Except Pastornicky may never come back.
TennesseePaul
May 31st, 2012
9:52 am
Last season the team had a short stop with a slick glove who posted .241/.270/.372/.642. This offseason every one bemoaned the idea of having an all glove no-stick short stop.
“Even if Pastornicky isn’t getting to all the balls in the field, at least he will get on base more than Sea Bass and that will improve the offense dramatically.”
That was the line repeated all during the off-season. Every now and then I’d toss in the following: “Could be he isn’t any better and by June the team is seeing Wilson with more playing time or an even weaker hitting short stop… at that point the team actually would be going backwards compared to 2011.”
The retort was something along the lines of me being a Braves hater, neg-head, yadda-yadda-yadda. So this current situation just cracks me up.
Personally, I think Simmons might be coming up too quickly. But he’s up. So we’ll find out. I just don’t expect it to “improve” the offense any and I’d be a bit surprised if it makes a significant impact overall.
From short stop this year the team has received .230/.257/.291/.548 overall compared to last year (.237/.267/.357/.624). Crazy isn’t it? Last year had Julio Lugo for a stretch. But also it didn’t have Wilson for extended periods like this year…
Pastornicky provided .248/.281/.324/.605 (45 games) compared to Sea Bass’s .241/.270/.372/.642 (149 games). Just two weeks ago the rookie was hitting .274/.308/.363/.671 and then the entire team went into a slump. So he completely fulfilled the off-season wish of “at the least he will get on base more than Sea Bass.” Apparently, as it turns out, that actually wasn’t enough for some.
All things considered, I wasn’t terribly disappointed in Pastornicky. Perhaps because of my reasonable expectations. I think he might have pulled out of the hitting slump given time. But whatever.
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:55 am
Keylargo, Venters had an exceptional season last year, and, I think, that’s become the yard stick to measure him by. I think he’ll pitch consistently better as the season progresses, but might not be nearly as dominating as he was in ‘11.
Bat Masterson
May 31st, 2012
9:55 am
I don’t know about you guys, but I first became convinced Heyward was rushed to the big leagues when he came in second in the ROY voting.
Freeman's White Cane
May 31st, 2012
9:56 am
“Folks here have a tendency to get a little hyperbolic in their criticism of a departing player. Seems that it’s not enough to send the player away by trade or demotion, but the player must be made to appear worthless, to boot. I’ve never quite understood that.”
Hyperbole is when something is overstated. It wasn’t hype that I held my breath on routine ground balls to short, something I didn’t do with Furcal, Escobar or Gonzo.
I suggest if anything you are the one guilty of hyperbole when you said “but the player must be made to appear worthless, to boot. I’ve never quite understood that” when you answered my post.
You even used my quote, “Again, I can see him as a big leaguer, just not a shortstop”
If I were giving him a rating of “worthless” as you say, I wouldn’t have made the statement that I can see him as a big leaguer. Hype much yourself?
On the part about him not being as feeble at short as I made him out to be, I suppose we will just have to disagree about that. I think he’s pretty feeble. His shortstop rating at least indicates that he is the most “feeble” shortstop in the big leagues.
TennesseePaul
May 31st, 2012
9:56 am
I’m just scared he will be an ARB II or ARB III when he does.
He won’t be. He’ll go through the process as a normal player. Hit his arbitration at the normal time.
The special arb players come into play when a team is seeking to get what amounts to about 7 years of control over a player instead of 6. They bring them up mid way through the year so they’re clock is set different. Then they get 6+ full seasons with the team. Heyward will only get 6 years.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
May 31st, 2012
9:57 am
Sopheeee You’re welcome, McFann
What do you mean? He didn’t hit an RBI Double!!…
Jeff R
May 31st, 2012
9:58 am
Well, something happened to Heyward after that ROY vote, huh? And I don’t think it was just injuries. Pitchers got the book on the kid and he’s been struggling to adjust ever since. I still think that more seasoning in the minors could have really benefited Heyward, but kinda moot.
Arkansas Transplant
May 31st, 2012
9:59 am
Well Heyward stands a mile from the plate.. makes it hard to reach and catch up to that outside fastball.
Sopheee
May 31st, 2012
9:59 am
Hope O’Vent (or Vent’O these days) recaptures some of the magic from last season. Way too nerve-wracking to watch at this point.
ncscoots
May 31st, 2012
10:00 am
neg-head
I like “neg-head”. It’s not quite as humorous as “doodie-head” and seems more appropriate if I want to be derogatory towards some poster with whom I haven’t had previous conversations.
I’m also adding “reasonable expectation” to my fave-phrases category, along with “reckless narrative” and “ignorant BBWAA geezer”. I think it’s been used enough now that it deserves a shot at the title.
Brian from SC
May 31st, 2012
10:00 am
According to this Bill Shanks article, Hudson basically had Jack Wilson as his “designated SS”. That does say something. The article really gets into the detail of why this move was made.
http://www.macon.com/2012/05/31/2043695/bill-shanks-braves-had-to-change.html
Lew
May 31st, 2012
10:01 am
I guess we’ll see what happens. Not as if Pastornicky brought all that much to the season, so far. He was kind of OK offensively, but hardly anything to write home about and he was not too great defensively.
I’m not so certain he’d be much better at second than at short other than that his arm is more suited to second base. Guess we’ll see what they plan for him at Gwinnett.
In the meantime, hope Simmons plays some mean defense and hits as least as well as The Rev did. Not as if the bar is all that high.