You be the manager: Pick the new Braves’ third baseman
This would be the left side of my infield: Prado and Sea Bass. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Audience participation time. (Not that this audience is ever disinclined to participate, for which I thank you.) The Braves would seem to have three options at third base, and Bobby Cox articulated them yesterday: “We’ve got [Brooks] Conrad and [Omar] Infante and we should get [Martin] Prado back at the start of next week.”
OK, you be the manager. Pick one.
Being pushy, I’ll go first. I like the Prado option. I think Infante is better at second base than at third, and I think Prado can play either spot just fine. I’m not crazy about the idea of uprooting an All-Star second baseman, but it has to be said: Infante was an All-Star, too.
I’m less high on Conrad. He’s great at the end of games, less great when he starts them. He’s hitting .238, with more strikeouts than hits. (Both Prado and Infante have twice as many hits as K’s.) Besides, having Conrad in the lineup would diminish the full Conrad Effect: He’s the guy you need to pinch-hit with the game to be won. Indeed, he has more RBI’s as a sub than as a starter.
Oh, and since you asked: The notion of Troy Glaus as a starting third baseman was all but quashed by Frank Wren on Thursday. Said the general manager: “Based on the health of his legs, [I don't think] that makes a lot of sense to put him over there.”
There’s also the chance the Braves could try to swing a trade — Ty Wigginton and Chone Figgins are two post-deadline possibilities — but Wren also noted that the combination of Infante and Prado in the everyday lineup was powerful in itself. Quoth Wren: “I’m not sure we’ll find anything better than that out on the market place.”
Loading ...Reality check: Wigginton is hitting .260 for Baltimore, Figgins .253 for Seattle. Infante is hitting .330.
My batting order would be this: Infante, 2B; Heyward, RF; Prado, 3B; McCann, C; Glaus, 1B; Gonzalez, SS; Diaz/Hinske, LF; Ankiel/Cabrera, CF. Brooks Conrad would be my DH in Games 3, 4 and 5 of the World Series. (Just seeing if you’re still reading.)
But I’ve never been known for my lineup-making dexterity (or for anything else, come to think of it), so I invite your input. Pick the new third sacker. It will make you feel better about the absence of Chipper Jones. It will enable you to get in touch with that feeling that rests within all of us — to manage, if only in this space, a big-league team. And I can assure you Bobby Cox will take the results of this poll to heart.
OK, I lied about the last part.
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418 comments Add your comment
mike
August 13th, 2010
10:23 am
Personally I like Conrad at third. I realize what he provides off the bench but I think his power is much needed on an everyday basis. I think the braves would be smart in bring Freeman up as a bench player and a spot starter for now. Infante could basically still play everyday by “spelling” the others on rest days.
mike
August 13th, 2010
10:26 am
Of course Prado returns to second base.
Nate McBrutal
August 13th, 2010
10:27 am
It would be a huge mistake to move prado to 3rd. The guy is a better 3rd baseman than Omar, but he’s also a better 2B than Omar. Keep your defensive strength in the middle of the field. Plus, for those of you who haven’t played at a high level, defensive positioning does affect certain guys. Why take that chance with Prado when he’s having a career year, especially when we KNOW that Infante can handle any position and still hit consistently. There is no reason to move Prado from a position he earned before the injury.
Tomahawk
August 13th, 2010
10:28 am
I also think Prado at third is a good idea… as long as the longer throws to first don’t aggravate his pinky (which I dont think they would, but that would be the only reason not to do that).
If they go outside the organization, the only person I can think of that might actually help the team would be Ty Wigginton. He’s right-handed, has an ok obp, and would be a power upgrade at the position. Figgins seems like the kind of guy we desperately need to avoid. He’s an aging player with a big contract and declining numbers. We’re going to have a relatively young, exciting club next year, but they’ll need to have enough resources to add a real power hitter in the off-season. Figgins would definitely impede the organization’s ability to do that. For a team without a lot of money, he’d be a roadblock to future success.
Regardless of who it is, it’s going to be next to impossible to get a useful bat off of waivers right now. That’s the kicker. They can’t just call up a random team and say, “Hey, we’ll give you these two players for your third baseman.”
Dawggie
August 13th, 2010
10:28 am
This hasn’t been a playoff team to begin with. The starts have aligned the first 6 mos. of the season.
Tyler
August 13th, 2010
10:28 am
brooks desrves it imo. gonzo should be benched for his pathetic play at short.
OHIOBRAVESFANOLDSCHOOL
August 13th, 2010
10:28 am
Prado @ 2nd batting leadoff, Infante @ 3rd batting 2nd, Hayward in right batting 3rd, McCann catching batting clean up, Gonzalez @ short batting 5th, Glaus @ 1st batting 6th, Diaz/Hinske in left batting 7th, Cabrera/Ankeil in center batting 8th. Chipper’s leadership both in the dugout and club house is crucial. Hope he can stay with the team as much as possible.
southernbravesfan
August 13th, 2010
10:29 am
Why not try Gonzalez at third…he is killing us up the middle………and why do some of you put Hinske to start at first…..the little four game expriment was terrible with him at first…might as well keep Glaus there..after all he is still leading the team in RBI’s……..
Jim Pierce
August 13th, 2010
10:29 am
Here’s the lineup I’d like to see, and the reasons.
Prado: 2b
Infante: 3b
Heyward: Rf
McCann: C
Glaus/Hinske : 1b
Diaz: Lf
Cabrera/Ankiel : cf
Gonzalez: SS
Prado has been successful at leadoff. Why change that? Infante is a contact hitter, with a .300 average.. he’s likely to be moving Prado when he bats. Heyward K’s alot, but he also walks alot, and has power. Perfect for the 3 hole. Mac is stroking, thus the 4 spot. Glaus is finding his stroke, and has power for the long ball. Diaz is a gamer, and will find his stroke if he gets some dang playing time. Cabrera/Ankiel platooned depending on leftie / rightie pitchers. Gonzalez in the 8 spot. Can hit the occasional homer, and also set the table for Prado.
Yunel
August 13th, 2010
10:29 am
But I can play 3rd……when healthy!
Joshua
August 13th, 2010
10:30 am
I’m sick of people saying “there’s no way we can catch the Phillies now..” First of all, we already caught them. They have to catch us now. Secondly, when we passed the Phillies, Chipper was playing some of the worst ball of his career, and as big of a blow as losing him is now, Infante’s play right now is quite a bit better than Chipper’s was when we passed the Phils, and the Phils were much healthier at the time than they are now. There is absolutely no reason to think we can’t still win the division. Chipper rounding into form was going to be the insurmountable straw that broke the camel’s back, but we still have the better team and all the advantage going down the stretch.
Stanley Crowe
August 13th, 2010
10:30 am
I have to admit that I know nothing about this Freeman character who is the subject of so much speculation right now — but then I knew nothing about Mike Minor, who was pretty impressive in that first outing. I live in Greenville, SC, and my local paper doesn’t provide much information about the Braves farm system since our local Greenville Braves (AA) left a few years ago, to be repaced recently by the Greenville Drive, a Red Sox (A) affiliate. Be that as it may, I say, bring up Freeman and let’s see what he’s got. He can spell Glaus (assuming a Hinske/Diaz platoon in LF), and get a bit of experience and confidence. I’m still counting on Troy for a strong finish. His swing looks to me much more technically secure than Ankiel’s, and I would begin to platoon Melky and Ankiel in center (though Ankiel’s defence looks a bit solider than Melky’s). Ankiel has a great story — failed pitcher to slugging outfielder — and it’s hard to dislike the guy, but I’ve yet to be impressed by his work at the plate. I would have kept Gregor Blanco. As for batting order — Infante (3b), Prado, (2b), Heyward, McCann, Gonzalez, Diaz/Hinske (LF), Glaus, Ankiel/Cabrera (CF).
I’m going to be very interested in the Dodgers series — this is a team with serious bullpen problems, and we should take 3 out of 4. As for Philly — a very likeable, scrappy team — Kershaw had them where he wanted them, and when we get down to the end of the season, Atlanta pitching can control them too. Our bullpen can isn’t infallible, but it has never looked as bad as the Dodgers did last night — we wouldn’t have blown that lead. Also, in the natural rhythm of things, Philly is due to cool off a little — I doubt that they’ll sweep the Mets. Bottom line — the Braves can make post-season. Beyond that, I’m reserving my judgement for now. Whoever wins the NL is going to have a tough time with Texas, my prediction for the AL winner.
Tom
August 13th, 2010
10:31 am
Has to be the time to drop Heyward to the 3 hole and TELL him to hit the p… out of the ball!!
BravesFanLostInOhio
August 13th, 2010
10:31 am
Nate, if it were any other guy, I would agree with you about not moving a guy during a career year. But, Prado has proven that he can move around the infield and stay consistant at the plate.
As for Infante at 2B, he has done just fine. No problem there.
BuckheadBrave
August 13th, 2010
10:32 am
Ok we all get infante is now a regular player and should be. The concern is who will replace his value off the bench, what if he goes down? Then you lose Brooks off the bench as well. Our everyday lineup won;’t miss a beat on the field without Chipper, morale may be bruised but they will still hit. Could Freeman come up to play a bench role? Could that be a role for someone like Wigginton if we don’t have to gibe up too much? I am not confident with Diory Hernandez and Brandon Hicks on your post seas bench as pinch hitters.
Ted Striker
August 13th, 2010
10:33 am
Good column, Mark. (As usual). I agree with your assessment and the only thing I’d do different in batting order is switch Heyward and Prado.
Only thing that bothers me is this. “Quoth Wren: “I’m not sure we’ll find anything better than that out on the market place.”
That sounds an awful like “Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore’”
braves4ever
August 13th, 2010
10:33 am
Mark, nice.
You are right on with your pick of positions and batting,I bet Coffee and Donuts that Bobby will do it exactly that way with Freeman in the clubhouse soon to help Troy some.
Fan north of the GA border
August 13th, 2010
10:33 am
Wasn’t this team fine when Chipper was out of the lineup or hitting poorly? Isn’t this team just about .500 since the break when Chipper was hitting decent? I don’t see a problem with any of the choices at 3rd base. This is not the Chipper from years ago and his fielding is so-so despite his last play. The Braves won’t miss a beat unless the pitching blows up.
Pdog
August 13th, 2010
10:35 am
Didn’t Hinskie come up as a third baseman?
BamaFan
August 13th, 2010
10:36 am
I would swap Heyward and Prado in the line up positions w/Heyward hitting 3rd and Prado 2nd.
Jim Pierce
August 13th, 2010
10:38 am
Why Prado batting 2nd? WHY disturb what has actually worked? Prado should lead off, with Infante batting 2nd .
There’s no option for the 3 hole except Heyward…. he is the obvious choice.
Mac is the obvious choice for cleanup.
Calvin
August 13th, 2010
10:38 am
Mr. Bradley,
I like your lineup a lot. However, I would say Prado leads off with Infante hitting second which moves Heyward to the three hole.
Terry Callahan
August 13th, 2010
10:38 am
Like the line up with one exception….try Freeman at 1st base….we need more offense from that position
BuckheadBrave
August 13th, 2010
10:39 am
Fan north,
The team was fine BUT you have to understand the dynamic of a batting order. Chipper commanded the respect of opposing pitcher even when he wasn’t hitting his best and his OBP was extremely solid. Prado and Infante and keep up the on base percentage along with Heyward but if Glaus can’t start driving the ball then they know McCann is the only one in the middle of that order that is consistently making solid contact so he will see NOTHING to drive, ever, period, he will be walked every time they will NOT let Mac beat them because they know he’s the only one in the part of the lineup who can. Its hard to say it but it hinges on Troy now. Gonzo has flashed some power but i wouldnt say hes showed consistent solid contact.
kgb
August 13th, 2010
10:40 am
I think some are forgetting that Glaus is a very streaky hitter. He’s showing signs of getting into a rhythm again with his homer in Houston then three rocket shots in the next game. Yeah they were outs but I haven’t seen him be on the ball like that since, well, May. This would be a really nice time for him to step up and carry the team for the next month. Need him to get hot again now more than ever. Remember, Chipper wasn’t doing much in May while Glaus carried the team.
By the way, hate Chippers injury. When he is on he is the only Braves player that I actually believed would come thru in a clutch situation. Loved to see Chipper coming to the plate in those moments. Just as I bet the opposing pitcher hated to see him.
Herschel Talker
August 13th, 2010
10:40 am
MB:
What do you think about picking up Jose Guillen if he clears waivers and is formally released on Sunday? It’s not going to solve anything at 3B directly, but his bat is strong and that would take some pressure of the new 3B having to produce too much.
HT
David Pearson
August 13th, 2010
10:41 am
Conrad is having a good year with his clutch pnch hitting, but he is not amajor league fielder. The Braves have better fielders in A ball. Conrad throws to first are very erratic. Joe Thurston might be a option
as a back up at second. he is better than Brandon Hicks
BuckheadBrave
August 13th, 2010
10:41 am
kgb I agree about the clutch situations but there was good 2 months earlier where it seemed Heyward was always due up in those situations and the fans wouldn’t even sweat it, you expected him to come through. I hope he can regain that confidence.
andy
August 13th, 2010
10:43 am
Mark, how in the world can you put a career .298 obp guy in the sixth position of the lineup?!
dap01
August 13th, 2010
10:46 am
I like Prado batting third (lefty righty thing) and he is as close to a #3 hitter as there is on our roster.
Play Diaz more!
Sonny Clusters
August 13th, 2010
10:47 am
We was told on good authority that Jeff Schultz was on the beach vacationing and got a little too much sun on top of his head and that has delayed his return. If we was bald we would use sunscreen up there.
ohnochip
August 13th, 2010
10:49 am
The one good thing about Chipper being out for the year is that it gives his: toe, ankle, groin, hamstring, quad, left ring finger, wrist, and left ovary time to heal.
redneckbluedog
August 13th, 2010
10:49 am
Platoon 3rd…Chipper to hitting coach….TP to head coach…..
We_Run_This_Country
August 13th, 2010
10:49 am
Prado should play 2B until he is comfortable throwing with a broken finger. Let Infante play 3B until Prado is ready. Here is the lineup:
Prado – 2B
Infante – 3B
Heyward – RF
McCann – C
Gonzo – SS <– this guy needs more RBI opp's
Hinske – LF
Glaus – 1B
Ankiel – CF
J Clay
August 13th, 2010
10:50 am
I like Prado at 3rd but would keep him as leadoff hitter. I would play Melky everyday as I don’t think Ankiel is any better than McLouth was.
Ted M
August 13th, 2010
10:50 am
Mark,
Our bench is the reason the Braves are in first place. If Infante starts at second the bench is massively weakened and the Braves would need to make a move to strengthen the bench (Hicks meh). What about Wilson Betemit? He’s batting .328 he’s a switch hitting.
Larry
August 13th, 2010
10:50 am
I agree with the Infante and Prado 2nd and 3rd… but They need either a switch hitter or right hander for a backup.. What if either of them go down. They are running low on replacements. Infante was so good at replacing at any position. They still need someone else.
Mike in Marietta
August 13th, 2010
10:51 am
George Stein, Are you the DUI lawyer?
Gary
August 13th, 2010
10:51 am
Doug Gotlieb on ESPN Radio,”Of course Chipper’s coming back.”
macondawg
August 13th, 2010
10:51 am
I can’t see moving an All-Star 2nd baseman who’s having a career year. Omar has proven that he can effectively play 3rd and he has much more experience playing that position this year. Martin has been the best leadoff hitter and 2nd baseman in the league and I can’t see doing anything to upset that. Omar has played all over the field and lineup and has exceled.
Amit Shah
August 13th, 2010
10:52 am
Any chance we could sign someone like Aramis Ramirez??
Nevada Roy
August 13th, 2010
10:54 am
In my opinion … the first four lineup spots are the important ones and should remain consistent. They start the game and because the pitcher is often an automatic out (except for Hudson) they restart the sequence. My pick is:
1. Infante 2B
2. Prado 3B
3. Heyward RF
4. McCann C
Choose spots 5 through 8 based on health, needed rest, match-ups and maybe performance (who has got the best record in the last 10 games – make it competitive).
Ross
August 13th, 2010
10:55 am
I have to agree with you. But, we need to find a Venezuelan to play 1st base
If we make it to the WS with that lineup, we should let Hugo Chavez throw out the first pitch.
PsychoJES
August 13th, 2010
10:55 am
Here’s what needs to happen. Bobby Cox changes his mind and stays another year. Chipper comes back and plays his last season next year. Bobby and Chipper retire together with a World Championship and enter the Hall in five years, together. It just isn’t right if it ends for Chipper this way. For all he’s done for the Braves, he needs to be able to leave on his own terms.
JRW7
August 13th, 2010
10:56 am
MARK; Do you think Freddie Gonzales is going to be BRAVES manager, next year, when Bobby retires?
Phil in GA
August 13th, 2010
10:56 am
I know Prado can play 3B, but I don’t like moving him from 2B either. Not unless you see him as a long-term answer at third rather than second. If the Braves do, fine – go for it. But he’s established himself as an everyday starter (and star). He should be playing where the Braves see him for the long-term.
That said, if they see him long-term at 2B, then I’d consider doing something I’ve seen just a couple people mention. Omar is not as great at 3B that’s true. And it looks like range isn’t Sea Bass’ greatest strength, but he’s got good, quick hands. So maybe try him at third, with these lineup possibilities:
Against RHs:
Infante 6 (he’s playing great leading off, too)
Prado 4 (great at situational hitting, and now can have someone on when he homers)
Heyward 9 (no pressure – just tell him to keep line-driving; he’s our three-hole future, why not now?)
McCann 2
Cabrera 7 (against the RH, he’s putting solid ABs together now)
Ankiel 8 (better against RH, so higher in the order)
Gonzalez 5 (3B solution)
Freeman 3 (bring him up to at least platoon with Glaus – absolutely have to give him a try now)
Pitcher 1
Against LHs:
Infante 6
Prado 4
Heyward 9
McCann 2 (leave him in the 4-hole except when spelled by Ross; Mac’s only steady power now)
Diaz 7
Gonzalez 5 (higher against LHs)
Glaus 3
Ankiel 8 (lower against LHs)
Pitcher 1
Bench priorities:
-Hinske: With Freeman up he can now do more to spell at 3B or LF when needed.
-Conrad is now your main utility infielder.
(And bringing Freeman up means you can now use Hinske and Conrad more frequently as pinch-hitters, where they thrive, without them being overexposed too often in the starting nine.)
-Diory Hernandez: Defensive sub/pinch runner option like Conrad.
-David Ross: Can spell Mac when needed and late-game defensive sub of course
-Diaz/Cabrera: Platoon to utilize their best sides, defensive needs late in games.
-Glaus/Freeman: Platoon leaves one big bat (theoretically) available on the bench when opposing manager makes a switch to a different arm. Gives Freeman a chance to show he belongs, chance to be on postseason roster if he earns it, and experience for next year.
And best wishes to Chip. Man, what a sad way for his season to end. Here’s hoping he feels like coming back. Amazed how, even with his diminishing skills/power/etc., he still works a pitcher as smartly and as consistently as anybody in the league.
Reid in EAV
August 13th, 2010
10:57 am
I agree with your lineup and positioning, but I would still use the waiver wire to shore up the bench. With Infante playing every day, the bench takes a big downgrade. So, of the names out there, Ty Wiggington might be good as a fill-in and bench bat.
I’d also like to see Freeman sooner than September (to give Glaus what seems to be some desperately needed time off — plus there’s always the chance Freddie will stay on the tear he’s currently on at AAA.) But it seems that’s not in the cards. I just hope keeping Freeman down on the farm for one more month isn’t the difference between the NLDS and staying home.
Frankie
August 13th, 2010
10:57 am
Bad legs or not…it’s gotta be Glaus. This is fate. The Freddy Freeman Era starts now!
wayn-o
August 13th, 2010
10:57 am
Why change Prado at 2nd. That is his position. It should be a rotation of Infante & Conrad at 3rd. Start Infante & bring in Conrad as a double switch pinch hitter. Brooks defense is much better than Infante.
Voice of Reason
August 13th, 2010
10:58 am
Attended the 2 wins in Houston and told my better half that I was seeing signs that Glaus was starting to hit the ball hard again. Besides the homerun on Tuesday, he hit a deep fly to center that would have been out if he had caught it a bit sooner and sent it to left. We need him now, and i think he is ready for another streak.
Ankiel also chased down some balls in center that were difficult but made easy. He can play CF for me as long as he hits his weight. Of course, a small streak of 2-4 games would bring that average up to that.
As far as 3B, Bobby will do the right thing as I think this is a magical year for the Skipper – The team has stepped up all year when they needed to, and the Phillies have made it a “need to time” Go Braves!