How long should Braves stick with McLouth hitting second?
The Braves' Nate McLouth already has struck out five times in four games batting second. (AP photo)
The first four games of a 162-game season doesn’t represent a scientific sampling. But this is the way things are tilting for the Braves regarding the team’s four biggest question marks heading into the year:
♦ 1. Chipper Jones (his health and swing): Thumbs up. He is hitting .353 (6 for 17) with two doubles and two RBI. His impressive spring was not an aberration.
♦ 2. Craig Kimbrel (replacing Billy Wagner as closer): Thumbs up. The 23-year-old has two saves in two appearances, striking out five of the six batters he has faced.
♦ 3. Defense (poor last year): Thumbs up. Only one error (on pitcher Tommy Hanson), two double plays and a majors-best .993 team fielding percentage in four games. Last season, the Braves’ 126 errors trailed only Pittsburgh and Washington (127 each) for the most in baseball.
♦ 4. Nate McLouth: Thumbs down.
So here’s the problem, if we can call it a problem after four games. McLouth had a solid spring and won the starting center field job over Jordan Schafer, who was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. The job is McLouth’s for the foreseeable future.
The question is where to bat McLouth in the order. Manager Fredi Gonzalez has started him in the No. 2 spot, believing his speed would be an asset and his offensive problems were sufficiently straightened out.
But the reviews so far aren’t good. McLouth went 1 for 4 in Monday’s win over Milwaukee, which is fine. But he also struck out twice, which a No. 2 hitter can’t do. Success in that spot of the order is predicated on the batter making contact and advancing the runner. So far this season, McLouth is 3 for 16 (.188) with a team-high five strikeouts and one walk. He’s also 0 for 1 in stolen base attempts. (McLouth did score three times in an 11-2 win at Washington.)
The question is: How long will Gonzalez stick with McLouth? There’s an obvious viable option in Jason Heyward, who is batting sixth and is off to a good start (4 for 12) with a home run, two RBI, four walks and a team-best on-base percentage of .500.
Heyward has a better chance to drive in more runs hitting sixth. But he’ll get to the plate more often hitting second, which theoretically makes the Braves a bigger offensive threat.
Gonzalez isn’t likely to make any change soon. The question is how long does he stick with McLouth batting second?
Do you have any confidence McLouth will find a groove? Or should Gonzalez just go ahead and make the change now?
Plan for Tuesday: Driving to Augusta to cover Tiger Woods’ press conference.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
259 comments Add your comment
NCBravesFan
April 5th, 2011
8:07 am
ET @ 8:01 – now that was funny.
The other piece of this argument, framed very nicely on other blogs … is that you are in essence taking away ABs from Heyward and giving them to McLouth. Doesn’t sound like a good exchange over the long haul.
Wrecker
April 5th, 2011
8:08 am
Don’t think that the Braves are stupid or that they don’t see Nate’s problems. The real problem is that he is owed $11.5M over the next two years with a $1.25M buyout. When a guy is making that much (especially with the restrictions on payroll faced by the Braves under Liberty), he will get every chance to succeed. Benching or sending Nate down would further hurt his confidence. There is a fine line in managing a player’s ego so that he does not become a total wreck. As long as the Braves are scoring runs and winning, he will continue to get second chances.
Wrecker
April 5th, 2011
8:13 am
Probably no need to get too personal in the comments. By all accounts, Nate is a good guy and well-liked in the clubhouse. The Braves would salivate at him hitting .270 with a .360 OBP. Unfortunately, his career numbers are .251 and .336, and that is buoyed by his ‘08 AS season, which is looking more and more fluky as time goes on.
59bulldawg
April 5th, 2011
8:18 am
Let’s not panic yet! We’re winning and he had a good spring. And we’re only one-third of the way through our second series. I’d wait until the end of April . . . or earlier if it starts costing us games.
Fish Bisch
April 5th, 2011
8:18 am
McOfer is horrible. Send him down to be with Kawakrappy
AtlantaDude
April 5th, 2011
8:22 am
Freddie Freeman is batting .143. Is it time to send him back to triple A?
Notso Fast
April 5th, 2011
8:23 am
Give him a chance. If after 10 games is hasn’t produced ,then write.
DetroitBraves
April 5th, 2011
8:24 am
The slow start isn’t really the reason to move him down. Before the season even started it was clear that Heyward is the better hitter. Put the better hitter in the 2-spot where he will get more at-bats, and will be on base more often than McLouth. Agree with Jeff, not saying McLouth should be benched. He’s being paid a lot of money and there is no one clearly better to play the position – but there is someone clearly better to hit in the more important spot in the lineup.
Fish Bisch
April 5th, 2011
8:26 am
Freddie is a rookie; he is playing stellar defense and will come around.
Nate has had plenty of chances and continues to be horrible.
Joey
April 5th, 2011
8:31 am
Dang, Jeff, I believe a good many left-handed Braves batters had problems yesterday with Brewers pitchers (except Saito).
Judging by some of the baseball jihadists posting on here, it’s a good thing for Nate that we aren’t 0-4. He’d probably get beheaded.
I’m not Fredi, but maybe, just maybe, he may not want to change a DAMN THING with the lineup right now, being 3-1.
Tripple Lindy
April 5th, 2011
8:32 am
Schultzie, I’m disappointed in you — validating the lowest common denominator and giving them a reason to shout. Its been four (4) games. Uggla and Freeman have lower averages than McLouth, what do we do with them?
Wrecker
April 5th, 2011
8:33 am
Freeman’s situation is not analogous. McLouth is not a young player in his first full season in the majors (Freeman has 24 games under his belt). Nate has been in the league for 7 years and has played in 654 games. McLouth is 29. Freeman is 21. McLouth hits in a “money” position in the lineup. Freeman has been relegated to hitting before the pitcher. McLouth makes $5M to hit .188. Freeman is receiving $414k to hit .143. Nate is a below-average fielder in an important outfield position. Freddie is slightly above average in fielding at a position where you hide poor fielders with limited range. The situation in no way compares.
fg924181088
April 5th, 2011
8:33 am
As much as I would like to see McClouth benched we really don’t have a better option at this point. You can’t move AG from 7th to 2th because he protects Heyward in the line up. McClouth is useless but Schafer did have all spring to win the job. If the Braves front office wouldn’t have signed McClouth to that contract this wouldn’t be a problem. He makes to much money to play in the minors. Give him a month and if he isn’t producing see if we can’t find a some team that was as stupid as the Braves when they traded for him. Just a thought but what did the Braves give up to get him?
Fish Bisch
April 5th, 2011
8:38 am
Why isn’t kawakami pitching today since he is making more money than beachy and minor if that is the only reason keeping McOfer on the team.
lifedog
April 5th, 2011
8:44 am
Four games out of 162? Really, JS?
Joey
April 5th, 2011
8:46 am
“McLouth makes $5M to hit .188. Freeman is receiving $414k to hit ”
************************************
Must be tough for you have to make that payroll every week, Wrecker.
Oh wait, you don’t. The Braves pay their players.
So, why are you worrying about what they make?
Supremus
April 5th, 2011
8:48 am
I’d rather see them switch Gonzalaz and Nate in the order… they’re going to definately need to move McClouth down in the order at some point.
Kashi
April 5th, 2011
8:51 am
This is not the way we should start the season complaining about the players. We haven’t even have a season home opening game and negative stuffs are already flying. I agree with some blogger that JEFF need to shut up OR publish this at end of April.
DetroitBraves
April 5th, 2011
8:52 am
“I’m not Fredi, but maybe, just maybe, he may not want to change a DAMN THING with the lineup right now, being 3-1.”
You know what they say, complacency wins championships.
“Uggla and Freeman have lower averages than McLouth, what do we do with them?”
Freeman has pedigree, Uggla has sample size beyond these 4 games – and batting average isn’t the be all, end all anyway. If McLouth were inadequate for only 4 games we wouldn’t be having this conversation. By the way, most fielding metrics show McLouth to be a subpar defender as well, and no, this isn’t based on just 4 games.
DetroitBraves
April 5th, 2011
8:55 am
Alex Gonzalez and his career .296 OBP would be the only option in the lineup other than the pitcher that would be worse than McLouth. Unless the question is – how do we minimize our resources as to produce the fewest number of runs possible? In that case Alex Gonzalez in the 2-hole is a fine answer. Well played.
Oh and there is little evidence of “lineup protection” being real – and if it is I doubt it looks anything like Alex Gonzalez.
AnotherJeff
April 5th, 2011
8:58 am
I think it’s fair to ask. Schultz isn’t saying “bench him”, he’s just asking how long do you wait? Yes, he might go on a tear today and make this topic moot, but that’s life in the blog world, modern day water cooler talk. Where is all of this girly indignation coming from?
freddyball
April 5th, 2011
8:59 am
Seems to me Nate is Dipping and Lifting agian….same as last year. I’d drop him to 8, let Freeman bat 2-great eye, walks etc. If Nate continues to regress, I hope we do not wait till June to get someone out there!
milesarcher33
April 5th, 2011
9:03 am
People are so quick get on McClouth’s case. What about Freddie Freeman who is hitting. 143 or Uggla, but for the 2 HRs, is having a dismal year so far (that will change) or McCann who has yet to hit a homerun? Don’t worry, don’t panic, it’s far too early. If on May 15, Freeman, McClout and Uggla are still hitting below .200, then maybe you’ll have a column.
John Galt
April 5th, 2011
9:05 am
Schafer has similar offensive production, is vastly superior defensively and has the youth to offer greater potential. Were it not for McLouth’s contract he’d be long gone.
The Alpha Male
April 5th, 2011
9:06 am
Wow…. slow sports day, huh Schultz?
PMC
April 5th, 2011
9:06 am
Would love to see McClouth lay down a few bunts with runners on and less than 2 outs. Other than that, just make contact.
PMC
April 5th, 2011
9:07 am
McClouth made a really nice sliding catch in center the other day. It’s ridiculously early too.
John Galt
April 5th, 2011
9:10 am
The better option would be Chipper in the 2 hole with Freeman hitting 3rd. Unfortunately, Chipper keeps the little league attitude that the best hitter must bat third- I’m just glad he doesn’t insist that he play shortstop and pitch, too.
George Stein
April 5th, 2011
9:23 am
McLouth batting second is a terrible decision but more importantly, it can’t be rationally defended. Heyward’s OBP last year was .393. McLouth’s career OBP is .337. Verducci estimated that over the course of the season – if the order remained the same – McLouth would get 72 more plate appearances. If anything, Schafer should be on the team a he and McLouth will provide roughly equal offensive output but Schafer has a much better glove.
I would love to hear a rational defense for keeping McLouth batting second.
PMC
April 5th, 2011
9:29 am
Is there a reason Alex Gonzalez wouldn’t work at 2?
rpidge
April 5th, 2011
9:30 am
Don’t sugar coat the situation. McClouth should be replaced totally. Let him take his sunglasses and apply to GQ. While he may have had promise once I think he is keeping more deserving players from getting a chance. Maybe a trade.
JK
April 5th, 2011
9:32 am
Nate McLouth is not a MLB level ball player. Period. He should finish his career at AA or AAA where he belongs. His swing is and has always been wide open and uncalculated. You can tell his problem is both mental and fundamental. I wish the guy the best, but he should not be starting for the Braves. Maybe the Royals…and that’s a big maybe.
JPopNC
April 5th, 2011
9:37 am
Joe SImpson noted that Nate had reverted to his old swing habits and that he wasn’t incorporating the new techniques he used in spring training. I’m not sure what those new techniques were, but he just looks like he’s swinging for the fences each and every time. He just needs to shorten that swing some and work to get on base.
mclOUTh
April 5th, 2011
9:38 am
Some of the people on this blog crack me up…”well Albert Pujols is batting below .200 so they should bench him.” Or “Uggla is hitting poorly shoud we bench him?” What IDIOTIC comparisions. Pujols has a CAREER that has proven him to be elite. Uggla has a HISTORY of starting slow and coming on strong as the weather warms up. Only an IDIOT would compare Nate to these 2 players. He has had ONE GOOD YEAR! And that was a .276 season.
Bottom line is his confidence is fragile. If he continues to struggle it will become a downward spiral. He is NOT a proto-typical 2 hitter. That is painfully obvious. He is hitting in front of Chipper who is on fire….so he is getting pitches to hit…and STILL not producing. I am SO ready to see his contract expire.
just facts
April 5th, 2011
9:40 am
el bravo…those are all very valid evaluation tools but mcclouth has an entire career to get that data from….we don’t need another 150 plate appearances to reaach a consensus.
mcclouth is supposedly a very nice guy but as far as a ballplayer, you are what you are and mcclouth is a mediocre major league CF at best.
he will got hot and then he will get cold and he will get hot again and he will get cold again but he will always be at best a .260 hitter who strikes out to much to ever have anything more than an average OBP.
the bad thing is that i dont have a solution. chipper jones batting second is probably the worst idea that i have heard. he is anything other than a 2 hitter. prado is a perfect two but that messes up other things??
Too tough
April 5th, 2011
9:43 am
trade him!
JBT
April 5th, 2011
9:43 am
Schultz, ease up on the negative blogs. Its way to early to start hitting our players below the belt. Nate has hit the ball hard a number of times but right at the defense (as did Prado for the last few games). I like his swing, its more level keeping him from poping up (which was a real issue last year) and thats what matters right now. Your not going to move him out of the two hole, even if he is shakey, Hes a guy who can do a number of things to get on base/move a runner over. I like Nate’s ability, and he needs to see that his manager and team are behind him if he struggles.
George Stein
April 5th, 2011
9:44 am
Is that a serious question, PMC?
jj
April 5th, 2011
9:44 am
As some has said on this blog,the problem I have with Nate is his arm.I know the Braves owe him big because BC thought he would be a hr hitter,just as he thought about our SS when they traided for him,I just don’t think Nates D can keep him out there and I believe the Braves need another right handed bat as forth outfielder because we are too lefthanded for me,especially when Prado has to play third and when we face some nasty lefties and Nate needs to be benched.Back to the original question,keep Nate hitting second until he proves he just can’t cut it.I hope our GM trade for a righthanded CFer real soon and get a seasoned utility player to replace Infante.
wayn-o
April 5th, 2011
9:46 am
Seriously people it’s only 4 games. Lets give him some at-bats before he gets crucified.
wawel78
April 5th, 2011
9:48 am
I can’t believe so many people have forgotten how bad McLouth was last year. That’s why no one is screaming about Uggla or Freeman. I’m fine w/ McLouth hitting 8th. I would rather have someone else but I also realize the braves have constraints. Everyone in the lineup can’t be protected unless you’re the yankees. That’s a silly argument for moving people up and down in the lineup. Keeping him @ 2 is really hurting the braves’ chances of starting rallies and it’s a gift to opponents.
Bruce Mac
April 5th, 2011
9:54 am
McOut will hit in the low 200’s and lead the team in strike outs. Who didn’t know that? The real question is how long will Chipper stay off the DL and when will Hudson or Lowe go on the DL. If these three guys stay healthy we win and no pressure is placed on McOut. If any one of these big three go out then McOut is not long for the starting line up.
Ralph
April 5th, 2011
9:55 am
I’m not sure Young would hit any better but we’ll never know as long as he’s sitting on the bench and getting an at bat once or twice a week, Why not platoon Nate with young until the can find out, at least Young can throw the ball back into the infield and has just as much speed as McOut.
larry
April 5th, 2011
9:59 am
Young is a viable option in Cf if Nate struggles.
The Juggernaut
April 5th, 2011
10:01 am
McLouth had a good half a season for us after he came over in 09: 59 runs, 11 HRs, 12 SBs, and a .354 OBP. That’s the kind of production we should be able to count on from him. People who are saying McLouth hasn’t done anything in the two years he’s been in ATL seem to forget that he was pretty good in 09. Last year was a wash, but now we know that he was probably dealing with post-concussion symptoms for most of the year after getting leveled in the OF by Heyward. A few games worth of stats this season is nothing to freak out over. Now that he’s apparently healthy, the Braves need to give him 100-150 ABs before making a decision about moving him. I, for one, would like to see Jordan Schafer get another chance if McLouth isn’t producing.
Savannah Seer
April 5th, 2011
10:04 am
Nate hasn’t shown anybody that he is a regular every day CF for the last two seasons and more. He has a horrible arm and just doesn’t deserve to play every day. I see this being addressed at the All-Star break with either a demotion or an outright release. I think you gve Young a chance at a platoon situation. Face it, the #2 hole in the lineup is just that. We need a guy who can make contact. Nate hasn’t shown he can do that in MLB game situations for more than two seasons. I think he’s on a short rope and he knows it. If we could only have Prado bat leadoff AND in the two hole!!!
chief pitchanono
April 5th, 2011
10:07 am
Yeah, I think its a little early for this blog, Jeff. I think after the spring he had you gotta give him six weeks. Your right, you don’t won’t your two hole guy to strikeout allot, but you gotta give him some time. After about six weeks, I will be looking for a small strikeout margin, but more important a high OBP. As long as he figures out a way to get on base regularly, I could care less about how many hits he gets. We just need him a Prado on base and this lineup is gonna score runs.
Great start to the season, Go Braves!
The Juggernaut
April 5th, 2011
10:08 am
@John Galt
Your argument about Chipper’s little league attitude would hold more water if you weren’t talking about a player who has changed his position or reworked his contract every time the organization has asked him to do so. He also volunteered to re-work his contract once without them asking him to do so. By the way…the problem isn’t Chipper. He’s hitting. If Fredi Gonzalez went to him and said it was in the best interests of the team for him to bat #2, Chipper would be batting #2 that night.
gaknight
April 5th, 2011
10:10 am
McLousy is just another “joke” being played upon gullible Braves fans by Frank Wren.
He now has 5 K’s in 16 ABs. Evidence says this is NOT a ML Bball player!
Unknown Hinson
April 5th, 2011
10:12 am
Gotta give him a chance and keep his confidence up. Keep him there for at least 2-3 more weeks.