Your attention, please: Braves have a new second sacker
You know dumb ol’ Bobby Cox? The manager who never changes his mind? The one who wouldn’t give up on Kelly Johnson as his second baseman no matter how little he hit?
Bobby Cox announced Tuesday night he has a new second baseman.
After Martin Prado had four hits (two singles, a double and a homer) and four RBIs (three to tie the game on three separate occasions, the fourth to win it in the 10th), Cox said: “Every time he’s in there, he does something good.”
So an enterprising journalist (blush) asked the manager: Is Prado your starting second baseman?
Loading ...Said Cox: “Right now, yes. He’s too hot to take out, unless his groin flares up.”
Contrary to popular belief, Cox isn’t the world’s biggest idiot. (As we know, this enterprising journalist is the world’s biggest idiot.) He has seen his team not hit for what seems like forever, and he has seen the nudge Prado has provided. Sometimes a nudge is all an idling team needs, especially one that pitches like this.
Kelly Johnson is hitting .216. Martin Prado is hitting .299. There’s no comparison, at least not at the moment. Cox had to make this change, and he has. This doesn’t mean Johnson will never play again. But I wouldn’t expect him to be in the lineup again this week, or maybe even this month.
See, as much as Bobby Cox loves his players, he loves something else, too. He loves to win.
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299 comments Add your comment
Jonathon
July 1st, 2009
3:21 pm
The Devils Wears Prado!
coach k
July 1st, 2009
3:23 pm
Well why is all this so painfully apparent to all of us. We need that passion, not that one game at a time bs. We never hear from Wren or Sheurholtz, this offense is anemic. There is no team attitude here looks like just a group of guys, meet at the ballpark at 7 and will hits some balls. Cox is too mello and it is alright to bust some of these guys in public. We pay their dam salaries act like you want to be out there and have some fun. Bobby small ball when your not scoring works too.
Paul Lentz
July 1st, 2009
3:24 pm
Bravo…………there is NO WAY I see the Astros making that deal. No team is willing to give up ANYTHING for Jo Jo Reyes or Kelly Johnson. So basically, you are proposing the Astros trade Lance Berkman for Casey Kotchman? Not going to happen.
I would not trade Derek Lowe. Reason being, if the Braves can be in the race come September, then you will see why the Braves paid Lowe all that money. I’ve watched this guy pitch over the years. He simply is calm under pressure. That sinker is a thing of beauty come play-off time.
I still have “nightmares” from last year (you know, when our starters couldnt go 5 innings……..when it seemed like one of our starting pitchers would get hurt once a week). It is so nice to know that our starting pitching is going to give us 6-7 innings a night, giving us a chance to win every night out, and staying healthy.
And just think……….how bad would the Braves be if Frank Wren had listened to the MORONS who filled up this blog over the winter and re-signed John Smoltz and Mike Hampton? Or if he listened to public opinion and decided not to give up “prospects” Brent Lillibridge and that Flowers kid for Javier Vazquez? Or if Frank Wren kept the “prospects” and decided not to make the Nate McLouth trade? Or if Wren didnt have the courage to cut Tom Glavine and bring up Tommy Hanson?
Many of you MORONS have called for Frank Wren’s head. Many of you IDIOTS have complained every time Frank Wren made the tough, “correct” decision. I want to see the Braves WIN. Many of you want to see your favorite players play, like this is an “old timers game” instead of Major League Baseball.
As bad as our offense has struggled this year………if Frank Wren had listened to many of you MORONS…….we would have no starting pitching, and our offense would suck even more. While Garrett Anderson hasnt lit the world on fire with his defense……..I feel that he has been a bargain offensively. He’s only making $2 mil. Plus he’s been hitting much better the past month.
I want to see the Braves win today. If some prospect can be packaged to help us improve our team, then so be it. It isnt like the draft next year or the year after that cant be used to draft new prospects.
When playing No-Limit Texas Hold’em poker, there is a saying………”In order to live, you cant be afraid to die”. Same way with making trades to improve the team. I”m not saying that a GM should make reckless trades……….just as a good poker player isnt going to bluff recklessly. However there are times to “go all in” because the potential reward is really great. Poker players who “play it safe” never win big. You dont see a poker player win a tournament by “playing it safe”. And you dont see teams win the World Series by “playing it safe” either. A scared man cant win.
Bravo
July 1st, 2009
3:32 pm
I just can’t see where Lowe is as big of as asset as everyone thinks he is. If that was the case, we could definitely get a great package of prospects for him. Another thing, he’s not the only pitcher this year going 6 or 7 a night, there’s 4 other guys doing just that. I also think Medlen should be in the rotation as well. The kid is a scrapper and definitely has passion for the game. I say move Lowe now, trade for Berkman and you have something. Otherwise, we could just stay pat and finish somewhere between 3rd and 4th place in the division.
Bravo
July 1st, 2009
3:35 pm
I never would suggest a Kotchman, KJ and JoJo trade for Berkman. At least not without offering 2 out of these 3, Marek, Heath, and Redmond.
Big B CH 99
July 1st, 2009
3:39 pm
I don’t see why people hate Kotchman so much, personally I like the guy. He reminds me a little of Kotsay, not an All-star by any means, but a solid Major Leaguer, & he’s playing great defense at 1B. There’s nothing wrong w/ having several guys that can hit 270-290, 10-15 HR’s, & 70 or so RBI’s. Personally I think that if U can get 5-6 guys that hit around 270-280, U can have a pretty good O, but the problem is that if U sit around like Bobby, & wait for someone to hit the 3 run bomb, then that’s not gonna work, b/c U have to have a bunch of guys that will hit 20-30 HR’s.
Bravo
July 1st, 2009
3:41 pm
Don’t hate Kotchman, he would just be a casualty of the dire situation our offense is in. We just need a power clean up hitter that can also hit for power.
Paul Lentz
July 1st, 2009
3:44 pm
Bravo……………….Lowe is an experienced, big game pitcher. If the Braves are still in this thing come September, then you will see what makes Derek Lowe, well “Derek Lowe”. Sure, he hit a rocky patch in June. However, his body of work more than suggests that Derek Lowe will bounce back, just like Chipper Jones will rebound from his current slump.
Tony
July 1st, 2009
3:45 pm
Bravo, Lowe is only suffering because of low run support. He is a guy that you want in there if the Braves should make the playoffs. Guaranteed, if the Braves reach the playoffs due to some major spark in the offense. Their pitching will be hard to be with the type of rotation used in the playoffs.
Paul Lentz
July 1st, 2009
3:48 pm
If the Braves do not make a trade to upgrade the offense………then our only hope is that Bobby finally benches Francoeur when Omar Infante comes back from the disabled list after the All-Star Break. Omar can hit and we need his offense. Omar coming back, along with Prado playing second, and McLouth and Escobar getting healthy………has to happen if the Braves are going to have a chance to contend if a big trade isnt made.
coach k
July 1st, 2009
3:52 pm
the only piece to this puzzle is a hitter between chipper and mac the can get you yo 35 home runs and everytime he steps up they have to think who do they have to pitch to. I would have liked sheffied still for the price. Heres one KJ, Jo Jo and escobar for Handley Ramirez, oh yea, let’s get this one going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bravo
July 1st, 2009
3:56 pm
I just don’t see where a 7 and 6 record is so good? *4.44 ERA*. Has won only 2 games in his last 9 starts. Maybe I’m missing something but that not good. We’re only 4 games back, if he goes 5 and 4 and we’re just 1 game back, I would agree with you but he didn’t and we’re not. We need some offense and someone that can carry this team on their backs. That’s Berkman. A good offense can lift a team through a lot of pitching slumps. But at this point we can’t afford what Lowe is giving us which isn’t much.
jch
July 1st, 2009
3:57 pm
Out of curiousity – if no one on the board wants him, and Cox has benched him, exactly which major league team do you think would inerested in an “iffy” fielding 2B hitting .219???
The only place KJ may be headed is 15 miles NE…
Tony
July 1st, 2009
3:58 pm
Paul…that is true. Lowe will be ok. Maybe, just maybe Wren has some suitors and a deal already in mind for getting some outfield help. He said the other day that teams’ payrolls are limited, which is probably true, but surely, “where there is a will there is a way”. He has made some good deals to get what we have so far, just needs to keep on pushing…
ABQ brave
July 1st, 2009
4:01 pm
Lineup
1. McClouth (when healthy)- gets on base and can run
2. Prado – can move runners over and has some pop (like last night homer then sac bunt)
3. Jones – wait until the hits start coming, i mean he is below .300 thats very rare, law of averages will get him back
4. McCann – great hitting and game calling catcher (needs to be starting NL all-star)
5. Escobar – can always drive in runs when runners are on base
6. Anderson – great situational hitter and has always been a clutch hitter
7. Franceur – bat is starting to come around but his defense is always nice
8. Kotchman – well where else in the order will he hit, maybe 7, excellent defense 1B
9. Lowe, Vasquez, Jurrjens, Hanson, Kawakami – all great starting pitchers and cause any opposing offense fits (so in about a month Hudson comes back and then what happens?? who is odd SP out?? 6 man rotation??? Kawakami is always better with 5 days rest…save arms for possible post season)
Tony
July 1st, 2009
4:04 pm
Well Bravo, again run production has been the problem. Over the last 10 starts, Lowe had 2 bad ones. The others, his highest earned run was 3. That is 8 games allowing 3 runs at the most. Not perfect but not bad for any pitcher. And his continued success will depend on how well he is supported by his team.
dawgs74
July 1st, 2009
4:08 pm
When Omar Infante returns, Bobby needs to find a spot in the lineup for him too. We was swinging a good stick before his injury.
jdmac
July 1st, 2009
4:19 pm
Mark, you mind throwing a notepad at Frank Wren before he deals Escobar? According to Buster Olney this afternoon, the braves would be willing to trade him for a big OF bat. Huge mistake if you ask me; Anderson and Francouer are just now coming alive and Yunel might be the most talented guy on the team. Thoughts?
bruce
July 1st, 2009
4:19 pm
Kelly against left handers is 21 for 67 or 313 batting average. He is hitting 176 against right handers. Pinch hitting might be a good role for a bit, maybe spot start against left handers to get back into a groove.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 1st, 2009
4:23 pm
Bradley: Glad to read on this blog that you think Kotchman is ’substandard’. I think you need to write about his sub-standard performance more often (at least as much as you like to type Glidin’). I strongly agree with you that, at the MLB level, your first baseman cannot be a singles hitter — and I don’t care how good his defense supposedly — 5 homers and 25 RBIs is awful and unacceptable. Much as I rail about his 150+ strikeouts, Bradley is right in that Adam Dunn would be a step up (though obviously not a long term solution——–by the way, Bradley, who do we have at AAA and AA as our 1B of the very near future?)
Paul Lentz: You have made some insightful posts regarding the Tex trade (as well as questioning some of the other trades proposed—I agree with you that there is no way we should trade Derek Lowe). First, I would say, move on people as that train left the station a long time ago. But I would add, if we had kept Jarrod, who is to say that he could not have been moved to first base (and before you question it, please remember that plenty have people have changed positions—-two that immediately come to mind are: Dale Murphy went from Catcher to CF and Craig Biggio went from Catcher to 2B so it is not a stretch)? Similarly, if we had kept Elvis, who is to say he could not have been moved to play second base? That trade may be a ‘wash’ as you say right now based on the performances of the players but it is what we could have done that is what is really important and we could have kept those guys and had better options at 2B and 1B.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 1st, 2009
4:29 pm
jdmac: You are 100% correct—-no way in heck should we trade Yunel Escobar: he is our best, young everyday player and this is only his THIRD YEAR IN THE MAJORS! The Braves would be fools to trade him now. He can hit, he can field, and he is clutch at the plate. Rarely have the Braves had anyone at SS as good as Yunel (remember Pat Rockett or Sonny Jackson anyone?—Ouch, I hurt myself just recalling those two names).
Anyway, keep Yunel and get Nate healthy and along with Prado (we need to tell him he is our starter for the remainder of the season—don’t want him looking over his shoulder—and stick to it because he will have a slump), we will be in much better shape. And if we can get a starter at 1B and move Kotchman to late game defensive replacement/Pinch Hitter status, then we will be golden (assuming Frenchy keeps it going at the plate) as finally our problems at 2B, 1B, and RF on the offensive side ill have been solved as you can’t win especially in the NL with one third of your batting lineup hitting poorly.
Mark Bradley
July 1st, 2009
4:34 pm
Let me be clear that my description of Garret Anderson as a glider shouldn’t be interpreted as a criticism — it’s just a description.
Tony
July 1st, 2009
4:37 pm
Hey Mark, are you still on hold with the front office…we need help before Frenchy cools down! lol
ABQ brave
July 1st, 2009
4:39 pm
All I’m saying is…
we have Barbaro Canzanillas (sp?) down in AAA who can really hit…he came up for a few games and was ok at the majors but has some great AAA numbers.
Everyone needs to stop saying that we just need one more big bat and then its playoff bound…it sounds real familiar…like say 2007 when we went 500 in august and september after acquiring tex and now you got rid of some prospects…jason bay and matt holiday are free agents at the end of the year if we can make do until then and get something in off season
MCLeeb
July 1st, 2009
4:39 pm
Why is everyone asking who’s in the minors, and who’s gonna be the 2B of the future. Prado’s only 25, why can’t he be our 2B of the future. He’s looked way better than anyone else I’ve seen in the minors or majors playing 2B.
RufinoLinares
July 1st, 2009
4:45 pm
Now that the hole at second base is filled, what about LF, RF and 1B? Any ideas at those positions. Then, Atlanta will have a major league lineup. Anderson has swung the bat better lately, but his defense is uninspired. Frenchy is just Frenchy. I don’t think he gets back on track. Kotchman is about as threatening as many of the first basemen that the Braves have ran out of here.
Tony
July 1st, 2009
4:53 pm
That is the big question RL…they have to make a deal for an outfielder like yesterday…
David from Simpsonville
July 1st, 2009
5:00 pm
Before the Braves signed Garrett Anderson and we still had every reason to think Kelly Johnson could hit, I thought the Braves should start Prado at 2nd and move KJ to LF. I respect the effort KJ has made for this team, but I’ve thought for a while that Prado was a better call for 2B.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 1st, 2009
5:04 pm
ABQ Brave: Thanks for answering my question. Though I can’t get his name right either, I do remember when they brought Barbaro C. [sp] up and if the question is who else besides Kotchman do we have to play first in the minors, then Barbaro is not the answer. All the more reason to try and find something at the trade deadline.
Bradley: Since you started calling him Glidin’ on this blog after he didn’t back up a chopper hit to one our infielders (guess it had to be 3B or SS) and subsequently went on and on talking about his gait, then I find it disingenuous at best (and an outright instance of prevarication at worst) for you to now suggest that your calling GA Glidin’ is not meant to be a criticism but a description.
No matter what you call GA, his hitting has come around and we need him in the line-up every day. Hmmm….can he play first? I don’t think so and it is a position that’s harder to pick up but makes me wonder since he is so versatile.
Chipper would not go for it but the best thing starting in 2010 for this team is to either move him to 1B and give Infante a full time shot or get off a dime and sign a power hitting 1B via free agency (and still find a place in the lineup for Infante).
MCLeeb: I’m with you in that we need to give Prado a long look at 2B—at least as long as we gave KJ (another example of how you have to be a student of the game: study pitchers and their tendencies, make adjustments at the plate, make a video of your at bats when you are on a hot streak and consult them when you are in a slump, etc.) KJ had two excellent seasons at the plate in 2007 and 2008 and went kaput this year. Had to remove him from the lineup and done at the right time as can easily say we gave him every chance to figure it out.
cdog
July 1st, 2009
5:05 pm
Finally BOBBY COX has come out of his HYPNOTIC TRANCE on KELLY JOHNSON. keep up the good work MARTIN PRADO.CAN WE TRADE JOHNSON NOW OR BRING UP A LEGITIMATE SECOND BASEMAN FROM THE FARM FOR INSURANCE?NEXT COX SHOULD KEEP HIS EYE ON ESCOBAR. TOO MANY BONE HEAD ERRORS AND MYSTERIOUS INJURIES ARE POPPING UP WITH HIM. WE NEED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE SHORTSTOP POSITION IF THE BRAVES WRE GOING TO WIN THE EAST
All I'm Saying Is...
July 1st, 2009
5:06 pm
“No matter what you call GA, his hitting has come around and we need him in the line-up every day. Hmmm….can he play first? I don’t think so and it is a position that’s harder to pick up but makes me wonder since he is so versatile.”——Sorry, I had a brain freeze: I meant to type “Hmm,…can INFANTE play first when he comes off the DL? Not GA. He can barely play LF.
cdog
July 1st, 2009
5:10 pm
JDMAC USE YOUR HEAD AND NOT YOUR HEART. ESCOBAR ALONG WITH KELLY JOHNSON HAS KILLED THE BRAVES. A TRADE WOULD STRENGTEN THE TEAM ON DEFENSE AND OFFENSE.WHAT HAS ESCOBAR DONE POSITIVE TO HELP THE BRAVES WIN? HIS NEGATIVES BY FAR OUT WEIGHS HIS POSITIVES
Tony
July 1st, 2009
5:10 pm
I beg to differ cdog. Escobar has the second best avg on the team. He has a good arm and good def skills. He has certainly done his part thus far. Now he needs to play everyday…
All I'm Saying Is...
July 1st, 2009
5:11 pm
cdog: Who in MLB would want Kelly Johnson? Seriously, dude, no one would take him off our hands even strictly for cash or wooden bats. And Escobar is only in his third full season at the major league level and it is way too early to give up on him. I’ve said it before and I’ll type it again: Escobar is our best young, everyday player and he can hit, he can field, and he can hit in the clutch. The Braves are too weak on offense as it is to trade away a talent like that. We need to give Escobar at least as much time as we have given Francoeur (this is his fourth full year in the majors).
(and you might want to learn the lower case function—you are killing my old eyes! )
braveswin
July 1st, 2009
5:37 pm
Sure Prado is hot right now but give Pendelton a few days of working with him and he’ll forget how to hit in short order. Someone tell me ONE hitter that has gotten better under his watch. With a major league hitting instructor this team might show some life
Jfreak
July 1st, 2009
5:40 pm
Lets not give Chipper a pass either. I know he is the face of this franchise but he numbers are way off as well! So when we blame KJ or Frnechy for the the collapse of everything including the mortgage and auto industries lets remember our biggest star has not been himself the past couple of years either. I know he is getting older and can’t put up great power numbers anymore but when we are looking at why the Braves are scoring less don’t forget our Hall of Famer is playing more like he old enough to be in the hall of fame and less like what makes him a hall of famer. Nothing aginst Chipper he can only play as well as his age and body will allow but there is an impact this has up and down the line up and it may be time to rethink his place in the batting order???
jgon
July 1st, 2009
5:49 pm
Every time the Braves win a game its supposed to be the turning point. Have to wait and see if the bats go back to sleep.
bp
July 1st, 2009
5:53 pm
don’t get too excited,you know after a couple of games ol bobby is gonna run kelly (worst 2b in baseball)right back out there.The guy can’t hit,bunt or field but booby still loves him.Why is he or Bennett on our roster?
Paul W
July 1st, 2009
5:58 pm
Our talent is not as bad as most of you think, but we need some freaking COACHING. That means that we must identify a players flaws and try to improve them, not just throw them on the field. There are three perfect examples on the Braves right now-
1) ESCOBAR. He is a great talent, but he is a head case. Does that mean we dump him or try to FIX him? Other than Ramirez in Florida I think he is the most talented SS in the NL, if not in baseball. We need to hire a tutor- a spanish-speaking former great SS (maybe Concepcion?) to work on his short-comings and his attitude. He is too good and too young to throw on the trashheap- yet.
2) ANDERSON. Yes he’s hitting in the .280’s now, and we really can use his bat. HOWEVER- Cox needs a man to man, heart to heart talk with this guy. He has hitting talent, but his lackadaisical approach to defense and base-running is intolerable. Bobby needs to try to make him understand that he has a responsibility to LEAD, as a 16-year veteran. Translate LEAD as HUSTLE. If he is too self-centered or too stupid to get the message, bench him. If that doesn’t get to him, RELEASE HIM. I dont care if he hits .380, his disregard for fundamental requirements is not acceptable. The next time you see him jog after a ball rather than RUN after it, blame GA, but blame Cox for tolerating it too.
3) FRANCOEUR. Jeff is young and has raw talent and should be salvagable. Again, for the money we pay these players, we can afford some tutoring. Hire a tudor that we can accept and that JF can accept- and send them both to Gwinnett. If he can listen to good coaching and accept that he needs to change in order to succeed, I think he can be an All Star. If not, he is hopeless and should be allowed to play out his option.
The remaining need for this team is to return to FUNDAMENTALS. Cox needs to start fining and benching like a mad man over these things. It drives me CRAZY. Fail to run out a ground ball- FINE EM!! A pitcher fails to cover 1st base- FINE HIM!! An outfielder sits with his hands on his knees on an infield play- FINE HIM. Runner on 2nd, less than two outs, and a RH hitter pills the ball to short or third, failing to advance him- FINE HIM. These players are PAID, for goodness sakes, they aren’t volunteers! If they knew that Cox wouldn’t tolerate this crap, they would adjust, or sit on the pines.
Young players are taught that everyone has a job whenever a ball it hit anywhere. Ground ball to the left side, for example, the LF must CHARGE in case of an error, and be prepared to back up 2nd or 3rd in case of a rundown; the RF should be CHARGING up the RF line in case of an overthrow. This is just one example, but these prima donnas won’t even run out a freakin’ ground bal!!
The players don’t escape blame, but the manager and coaches MUST create an environment where these things are demanded. Championship teams do these things. If you don’t, you’re just collecting a paychaek.
trueblueBravesFan
July 1st, 2009
5:59 pm
Mark that’s what you get when you drink Relabeled Tab(My Name for Coke Zero….think about it…it tastes just like Tab did)
Sir Stealth
July 1st, 2009
7:04 pm
Mark, I understand that you’re currently in the business of interacting with internet bloggers, but I think you do a disservice by legitimizing a mass of blog comments by equating them with a mass of true feeling when it comes to Bobby Cox. Even tongue in cheek comments referring to some kind of overriding sentiment that our Hall of Fame legend of a manager is an idiot make such garbage seem like the dominant voice of Braves fans. It’s natural that those commenting on the internet will post less rational reactions and constantly be ready to ride the manager out on a rail and cheapen the Braves’ legacy of winning, but no one who I actually respect feels this way, and I know a lot of Braves fans.
If I sound like a kool-aid drinker or blind worshipping fan, it really doesn’t matter, cause it remains stupid and self-defeating to dump on your own legends and cheapen your own team’s legacy.
Quint
July 1st, 2009
9:32 pm
What do yo guys think about this: Should the Braves make an offer for Juan Pierre? He is a much better leadoff hitter than anything we have right now. Put him at leadoff and move everyone else back a spot. I am still not sold on Garret Anderson. I think he may still be too tentative after his injury. He just never seems to be putting much effort into anything other than swinging a bat. I know Pierre may be playing a little better than he is know for, but he still has speed and can steal bases. I don’t know. Just a thought.
Pete
July 1st, 2009
9:35 pm
Hey Mark…can you ask Bobby if Diaz is his new starting LF now? Might as well strike while the iron is hot.
Mitch C
July 1st, 2009
10:21 pm
This is a good move since Prado is hot.
I didnt watch much of the Phillies series due to work, but winning two in a row against the division leaders at home is good.
As much as I hate to be a party pooper, Mark, isnt this how the Braves have played all year? We get up for the good teams, and flop against the second division flops. While we are only three games out of first now, we simply need to get on a good streak if we want to be a contender.
I’m going to take a wait and see approach.
Mitch
don pardo
July 1st, 2009
11:28 pm
I have to admit, I have never been a big Kelly Johnson fan. Maybe it was his less then 200 BA his first year. I will admit the second half of last year, gave me pause, but in the end it turned out to be more of blip than the real thing. You can argue cox should made the move sooner but will all the injuries, Omar Infante, Chipper, Kotchman, Escobar, it’s been tough.
Frankly I thought at the time that Omar was a huge loss, and I think that turned out to be correct.
So now we lived through Schafer, and Johnson. Now just one more to go.
the truth...
July 2nd, 2009
12:22 am
OK….for all you dump Kotchman band wagon riders….let’s take a look and see the truth about Sid Bream and the first 3 years of the 14 season run as Division Champ…….remember him? Well he was our 1B from ‘91-’92-’93….So the take is that Kotchman isn’t enough at first..
the Truth for Sid Bream is:
Batting Average: .253-.261-.260
Home Runs: 11-10-9
RBI: 45-61-35
the Truth for Casey Kotchman:2007-2008-2009
Batting Average: .296-.272-.269
Home Runs:11-14-2
RBI:68-74-28
patrick
July 2nd, 2009
2:06 am
Everyone says that Kelly has always been a terrible hitter, but since when? Last year he hit .287 with 12 homers, including an unreal September. I wouldn’t expect the posters on here to understand what BABIP is, but I’m disappointed Mark apparently doesn’t either. Batting Average on Balls In Play is a stat that measures how often the batter gets a hit on a ball put in play. BABIP is almost always between .290 and .340, with anything higher considered lucky and anything lower considered unlucky. Kelly’s is .238, well below his 2007 and 2008 numbers of (respectively) .328 and .340. Clearly he has been very unlucky and his average will regress (in the good way) back to his career norms. At the same time, I agree with Bobby’s decision to play the hot bat. However, the hate for Kelly is ridiculous
Theo
July 2nd, 2009
12:03 pm
I agree with Robby and his post on July 1st. KJ should be platooned in the outfield and allowed to challenge JF in right. A little competition just might help both of them. When Infante comes back, he could do the same thing to Kotchman. I agree that Infante should be in the game every day somewhere. I also think the idea of trying Ross at 1st wouldn’t be a bad idea at time. Keeping him in the game as much as possible is a good thing.
HATinGA
July 3rd, 2009
6:53 am
These fans are tough, I think Kochman is leading the team in doubles and he missed some games.And he is very solid with he glove. Frenchy has looked a lot better at the plate.
Altho more days off to get Diaz more ABs might even help him,Jeff has Alot of hard line drives right a infielders ,he looks alot better when he sees more pitches, but thats the Braves as a hole Chipper looked bad last night swinging early in counts.