Prado has three hits in comeback — and why not N.L. MVP?
Martin Prado singles in a run in the seventh for his second of three hits Tuesday night. He's deserving of league MVP honors. (AP photo).
After missing 16 games with a fracture in his right hand, Martin Prado returned to the Braves’ lineup Tuesday night and led the team with three hits, three runs scored, a double and two RBI.
“Don’t you just want to punch him right in the stomach?” cracked teammate Matt Diaz.
Here’s another thought: How about just handing him an MVP trophy?
There’s little question that Prado is the Braves’ most valuable player. When he returned from the disabled list with a fracture in his right pinkie and led the Braves in their 10-2 victory over the Washington Nationals, he started at third base (vacated by the injured Chipper Jones) and batted third (also Jones’ spot). The significance was kind of obvious.
If this guy doesn’t get consideration for National League Most Valuable Player honors, something is wrong. Should Prado continue to hit at his normal pace, he’ll still have good chance to lead the National League in hits and win the batting title, despite missing 16 games. If he continues to bat third, he’ll certainly have a chance to significantly add to his RBI total (though he won’t likely crack the top 10).
Unfortunately, MVP voters seldom factor defense and versatility into the voting. But no player is more valuable to his team than Prado is to the Braves. The favorites for the award are probably are St. Louis’s Albert Pujols (.315, 30 homers, 86 RBI) and Cincinnati’s Joey Votto (.322, 28, 79). Prado is at .318, 13 homers and 45 RBIs.
“For me, you should throw a guy like into the MVP voting because of his defense and his hitting, and I know what he means to us,” manager Bobby Cox said. “But they’re looking for a guy with 45 homers and 140 RBIs and [hitting] .320. But I know he’s our MVP.”
Told of Cox’s comments, Prado said, “That’s not something I think about. I’m just happy we won and I could get a few hits.”
His hand still hurts. Prado jammed his finger in his final at-bat and he expects it to be sore “for a couple of weeks.” He was worn out after the game but you wouldn’t know it by the numbers. After a ground out and a fly out in his first two at-bats, he strung together three straight hits: an RBI double in the sixth, a run-scoring single in the seventh and another single in the eighth, scoring all three times.
“I’m tired,” he said. “My body is falling apart. I felt like I could keep myself in shape. I was running, taking ground balls. I knew I would be out two weeks so I was trying to do something. But a game is different. A couple of games and hopefully I’ll get used to it.”
Yeah. Like he’s a slacker now.
Here are a few more post-game comments on Prado.
♦ Diaz: “He said, ‘Don’t expect me to look like Chipper.’ We don’t. He’s much better looking than Chipper. Seriously, I don’t think anybody expected anything less from him. He goes on a rehab assignment [in Gwinnett] and gets a hit his first time out. He raises the bar so high.”
♦ Batting coach Terry Pendleton: “The guy can just flat out hit. Even when he was out, he did whatever he could do with one hand just to keep active.”
♦ Catcher Brian McCann: “He’s got one of the best swings you’ll ever come across. His bat stays in the zone for so long that he can handle so many different pitches. He could wake up Christmas morning and get two hits.”
Should he be given MVP consideration?
“Absolutely,” McCann said. “We’re not where we are without him. He’s definitely been our MVP.”
So what are your thoughts? Is Prado an MVP candidate?
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121 comments Add your comment
ATLfan15
August 18th, 2010
8:42 am
Prado deserves consideration, and he may get it, but he won’t win the MVP award. I don’t care though…I know what he’s doing for the Braves and that’s all that really matters.
The ESPN thing is nothing new. I’ve just accepted it as a part of life.
@Pepe: why would you waste your time listening to Mike and Mike? The only thing more annoying than those two is scraping fingernails down a chalkboard.
Dayman
August 18th, 2010
8:49 am
On baseball tonight last night the big story was the two allstar second basemen returning from the DL, Pedroia and Utley. Prado was not mentioned. He doesn’t get enough national face time for MVP.
Bill
August 18th, 2010
8:49 am
@ Ben in Albany. The national press acts like there is no team in Atlanta because the FANS act like there’s no team in Atlanta. They cover what they’re readers/listeners/viewers want to hear. And the simple fact is that Atlanta doesn’t care about the Braves. In the middle of a pennant race they only draw 14,000 people. And a few years ago they couldn’t even sell out a playoff game. The Phils have sold out 98 straight games. Bigger fan base = more coverage from national media.
Dayman
August 18th, 2010
8:59 am
Bill, for five straight years the Braves have been voted in the top three for most popular teams in baseball, this year behind the Yankees and Red Sox. Its not that the Braves don’t have fans its just they are very spread throughout the Southeast and the country and its hard or impossible for them to make games on a nightly basis.
Archangel
August 18th, 2010
9:08 am
Has anyone else noticed the increase in run production since losing chipper.
ATLfan15
August 18th, 2010
9:10 am
@Dayman: don’t try to justify the poor attendance for last night’s game. who wouldn’t want to watch the Braves play a last place team?(press sarcasm button now)
@Bill: the Braves had the third largest crowd of the season Sat night against the Dodgers. and they have already drawn over 1.5 million fans this season. And really, who in ATL (besides a Philly fan) gives a crap how many games the Phillies have sold out?
Tami
August 18th, 2010
9:11 am
Sure! I’ll go with that. And…OK. Maybe Pujols and Votto are at the top of the NL MVP list….right now. But if last night’s return is indicative of how the rest of the season will play out, Martin can easily roar his way back into contention for the MVP. I think right now would be a good time for him to get hot (like he isn’t already) and stay hot. During the stretch run, he will get a lot of notice! The voters won’t be able to ignore him then. What a return for Martin last night! He seemed to energize the whole team. And….what a game for young Mike! We all knew he was ready to come up, and showed us why. Awesome game last night. Wish I could have been there.
Trade Nate for a Bag of balls
August 18th, 2010
9:13 am
We have ALOT of professionals in Atlanta from around the country that root for other teams.
We have ALOT of Yankees, Red Sox fans here
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
August 18th, 2010
9:14 am
Don’t know about NL MVP, but hands down he is the best player on the Braves this year, and that’s enough to get my vote. If the Braves win the division, Bobby Cox will and should be Manager of the Year. And when is Hudson going to get some Cy Young love?
E-6
August 18th, 2010
9:14 am
Suddenly the clamor to pick up another .250 hitting infielder has diminished.
Scoots
August 18th, 2010
9:16 am
If there was a year that a non-power hitter could win the MVP, I think this could be the one. Power is down, pitching is up this year -especially in the NL. With the steroid era in the rearview, I could see more importance placed on hits, runs and defense.
The OPS numbers are becoming a more mainstream measure of offensive production – if Prado can jump up the leader board on OPS, while maintaining the league lead in hits and average, it’s not out of the question.
Martin V Prado = MVP!
Vermont 39
August 18th, 2010
9:19 am
Never once did they mention Prado’s return on ESPN…those clownheads…Utley and Pedroia…both did nothing compared to MARTEEEEEN.
We have a great team..We know it and so does BC!!!
GO BRAVES
PMC
August 18th, 2010
9:19 am
Question: Where the heck did Martin Prado come from? Did we draft him trade for him? For all I know we had streaky Kelly Johnson and then instantly there was consistantly awesome Martin Prado.
Mail Order maybe?
gej
August 18th, 2010
9:22 am
The thing about giving Prado the MVP is that Albert Pujols, Joey Votto, Ryan Zimmerman, Andres Torres, Kelly Johnson, Aubrey Huff, Brian McCann, Rickey Weeks, and about 10 other players are having better years.
Prado has been very good, but only a total homer Braves fan would say he’s been the most valuable in the entire league.
Calvin
August 18th, 2010
9:25 am
Remember Dustin Perdoria won it two years ago with similar numbers to what Prado has now so it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
fieldofdreams
August 18th, 2010
9:29 am
I sure hope so. The mantel of leadership is very obviously passing from Chipper to Prado. Hope Chipper can deal with it, when / if he comes back next year. PS: Mike Minor rocks! Great stuff, not intimidated by the moment, really, to lose K Med and have Minor in the wings…Frank Wren drafted a winner. That kid’s one cool customer out there. He’s got a big Vanderbilt star written all over him. Our young pitchers will keep us on top of the East for years to come.
Dr. Warren
August 18th, 2010
9:30 am
For anyone who believes that Prado is the NL MVP, answer me this–honestly: If Pujols were offered in a direct trade for Prado for the rest of this season, would you turn that trade down?
coach smith
August 18th, 2010
9:37 am
MVP = MOST VALUABLE PRADO!!!!!!!!
Hell yes he should be considered! I am not sure there is a better or tougher all around player in than him right now
keith
August 18th, 2010
9:37 am
While Prado could get honorable mention, he shouldn’t get MVP of the MLB.
Here’s a thought: If our team was St. Louis or Cincy, we would make the argument that our guy has much better numbers than Prado.
It won’t happen, but it’s a nice thought being a Braves fan.
southga brave
August 18th, 2010
9:38 am
Boycott ESPN for a week and see what they think of the Atlanta market!! I agree the 2nd base All-Stars all returned on the same night and the two that failed badly were mentioned over the catalious of the 1st place Braves. No BIAS there huh?
Bravos
August 18th, 2010
9:43 am
I agree Prado should and will be considered in MVP, although please note that missing 16 games doesn’t hinder his chances at the batting title at all since it is based on average.
Supes
August 18th, 2010
9:48 am
Absolutely he can be if he continues to tear it up Jeff.
Lets not forget Dustin Pedroia won the MVP in the AL over some power and RBI guys while playing 2B (ironic) so it won’t be the first time. There is also little doubt he was the MVP on a playoff team for the BoSox that season. Could happen, if the voters keep an open mind and the Braves win the NL East while Martin Prado continues to hit and play good D.
Ramblin Wrecker
August 18th, 2010
10:03 am
If Dustin Pedroia or Jimmy Rollins can win an MVP, why can’t Martin Prado?
E-6
August 18th, 2010
10:09 am
It’s pervasive – even MLB Trade Rumors heralds the return of the two eastern boys -no mention of our guy Martin. For the record, eastern boys Utley and Pedroia who are hitting 47and 30 points respectively below Prado were a combined 0 for 9 last night while #14 went 3 for 5 with some truly meaningful hits. back.
GT Baseball
August 18th, 2010
10:16 am
We should be happy that Prado is flying under the radar!
Sam
August 18th, 2010
10:17 am
Dr Warren, great post at 9:30. Pujols for Prado would be approved by 95% or more of Atlanta fans, especially when you have an Omar to fill his slot. NL MVP is NOT Prado but we love him anyway for our Braves.
Knuckle Sandwich
August 18th, 2010
10:18 am
I belive Jon Heyman at SI said this earlier in the season…Prado is the heart and soul of our team. No doubt about it.
smalltowngirl
August 18th, 2010
10:19 am
I agree with the other posters here that the national media doesn’t take the Braves seriously…Just today both Fox Sports and MSN have headlines about the Phillies…how they came back against the Giants, how they will over take the Braves, etc. Folks think the Braves don’t have enough fan support…blah, blah, blah. While I know there were only about 16,000 folks at last night’s game against the Nats, we have been averaging pretty huge crowds at the Ted this year. I know if we can’t make it to the game, it is always on at home. The fact of the matter is…it’s hard to make it down to the stadium on a weeknight with work, traffic, and other responsibilities. It’s not that Braves fans don’t care…it just becomes a logistical nightmare.
Bruce Mac
August 18th, 2010
10:21 am
Roll Tide, juvenile and redneck are not a good combination, leave the humor to others if that is the best you can do. How do you spell Mississippi dumb azz?
VD
August 18th, 2010
10:28 am
I love Prado’s comments EVERY TIME. It always goes something like “Its not about my stats, its about winning.” This guy could care less if he was asked to bunt every at bat as long as they won the game.
By the way, any truth to these Derrek Lee rumors?
joe
August 18th, 2010
10:31 am
Lets win and get into play-off before we start giving out awards.
Whats Wren doing to improve the team?…waivers anybody?
E-6
August 18th, 2010
10:34 am
Derrek Lee to the Braves according to MLB Rumors. Here we go again – another .250 hitter to solve our problems. Bet the kid at Gwinnett could manage .250 in the bigs.
Ken
August 18th, 2010
10:34 am
All in all, the guy is scrappy. He would do, whatever he had to do, to help his team win. If the following goes as planned…I look for these guys to be the in the running, for…
CY Young: Tim Hudson
MVP: Martin Prado
Prado is just awesome…and for him to come out and do what he did against the Nats Tuesday is unreal.
he certainly has my vote, let alone he was already in the AllStar Game
You go, dude!
joe
August 18th, 2010
10:37 am
How about the kid last night..pitched a great game.
Milky the last 62 games hitting 308 and good “D”……….We have alot of un-song stars.
1st is killing us Glaus is just there for “D”
Kentavo
August 18th, 2010
10:38 am
Why wasn’t Prado highly touted as a prospect?
I remember the first time he got called up and smacked a few doubles (if memory serves) and really hustled, and I said “who is this guy”?
Kentavo
August 18th, 2010
10:39 am
I just saw that Braves are trying to acquire D. Lee.
keith
August 18th, 2010
10:39 am
Yes, Jeff, hello????
What’s the rumor that the Braves/Cubs are about to reach a deal for Derek Lee??????
Updates, please?
I realize he hit 33 homers and 111 rbi last year, but I thought that Bobby was going with Glaus…who may have just started to produce.
I don’t see why we get Lee unless he’s going to come off the bench….this deal would baffle me.
They better not give up anything to get him.
StatsMan
August 18th, 2010
10:40 am
It’s not just the rankings in core metrics that hurt Prado. He is ranked 29th in wins over replacement player (WAR). And his offense is not as valuable playing third base as it is at second. An excellent player, but I’m thinking no chance.
keith
August 18th, 2010
10:40 am
I know that Lee at his best was better than Glaus at his best, but with our platoon of Outfielders, this deal would baffle me.
Unless we’re doing Glaus for Lee straight up????
This is weird.
joe
August 18th, 2010
10:41 am
Lee would be great..he can still rip….
MVPrado
August 18th, 2010
10:43 am
It’s about time someone said it. Thank you. Prado has been the difference maker, the spark plug, the ignitor for the Braves offense all season. He is the MVP. He is also their emotional leader in the clubhouse.
http://sportscrack.com
Willy
August 18th, 2010
10:47 am
HERE COMES DERRICK LEE! THERE GOES TROY GLAUS!
keith
August 18th, 2010
10:47 am
But back on the topic, yes, Prado has definitely our team MVP (not considering Huddy)…he’s been our sparkplug on offense. How many times has he lead off the game with a single/double? Many times it seems.
Matt
August 18th, 2010
10:49 am
He’s a great player. Versatile, hard nosed, team guy. He’s the team MVP for sure but you could double his HR and RBI and he still wouldn’t win it. These awards are numbers driven. As long as Pujols and Howard are hitting 40+ HR and 100+ RBI(sometimes 120-140 RBI) players aren’t going to have a chance.
Ted M
August 18th, 2010
10:50 am
Votto & Pujols both also have scored more runs then Prado, while Prado is our MVP he does not deserve to be league MVP.
boots
August 18th, 2010
10:50 am
Other considerations should be that Prado is a lead-off batter for most of the year. That is something that was not normally true for him, but his team needed him there, and he successfully made the transition. That is a plus for the MVP award. Further, a lead-off hitter is not going to have the RBIs that a middle of the lineup guy will have, and that has to be considered. Finally, Prado’s glove and ability to play other positions is something that the two first base candidates don’t have.
Hey, Jeff, where does Infante sit in the batting race now that he is a starter? He has to be close to qualifying for enough at bats, doesn’t he?
Ted M
August 18th, 2010
10:51 am
Votto & Pujols both also have stolen more bases then Prado.
Ted M
August 18th, 2010
10:52 am
The Braves are close to trading for Derrek Lee, according to David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com. Lee, who vetoed a deal to the Angels last month, must approve any trade the Cubs propose. Sources close to Lee told Kaplan that the first baseman would likely approve a deal to Atlanta. Kaplan’s sources say the trade would be a salary dump and is near completion.
It's a shame what he did to that dog
August 18th, 2010
10:55 am
“and why not N.L. MVP?”
Uh…….maybe because there are other players who are putting up better numbers and playing longer?
It's a shame what he did to that dog
August 18th, 2010
10:56 am
“The Braves are close to trading for Derrek Lee”
Lee sucks.