The Braves are making moves, but the key concern remains
Did someone say Kris Medlen needs to stretch out his arm? (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
You can’t say the Braves aren’t trying. They’ve summoned Jose Constanza and plugged him into the lineup — batting him ninth, for some reason — and they’ve sent Kris Medlen to Gwinnett to brush up on his long-form techniques, and now they’ve demoted Tyler Pastornicky and promoted Andrelton Simmons. And they have, it must be noted, fashioned a two-game winning streak after going more than a week between victories. That said …
All this motion won’t yield the desired results unless the starting pitching gets better. I know I’m belaboring the point, but in baseball starting pitching is the one point that cannot be belabored.
The Braves just completed a six-game homestand; only once in the six games did a starting pitcher last even six innings, and that came on a night when Tim Hudson yielded seven earned runs in 6 2/3 innings against Washington. Last night Hudson couldn’t hold a five-run lead and was gone after 5 2/3, having been touched for five earned runs. And he’s generally considered the best the Braves have.
The Braves’ starting pitchers have compiled an ERA of 4.47, which is second-worst (leading only Colorado) in the National League. Their total of 20 quality starts — a minimum of six innings worked with three earned runs or fewer — is also second-worst, and it’s noteworthy that the teams ranking 1, 2 and 3 in quality starts are fellow NL Easters Philadelphia, Miami and Washington.
And where the Braves go next? To Washington for three games, then to Miami for three. Then comes a 15-game stretch against the American League East, the best of baseball’s six divisions. Kris Medlen better stretch out his arm in a hurry.
By Mark Bradley
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173 comments Add your comment
Mark Bradley
May 31st, 2012
10:19 am
I got the drift, Tami. Thanks.
Mark Bradley
May 31st, 2012
10:21 am
As noted, Hudson allowed seven earned runs in 6 2/3 innings against Washington. That game was the first of the homestand.
He yielded five earned runs last night. Also as noted.
Cf-BRave Fan
May 31st, 2012
10:23 am
They need to do something about Heyward. Right now – he cannot hit major league pitching. He is not adjusting to being pounded inside. Starting pitching is the main problem.
DawgDad
May 31st, 2012
10:23 am
. . . and again, they sent Medlen to the minors WHY? No starter on this team is getting out of the sixth inning, and most aren’t even making it THAT far. There’s an opportunity EVERY NIGHT to “stretch out” Medlen. I’ve been watching MLB for over 50 years; the modern coddling of pitchers is astoundingly stupid.
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
10:24 am
I called It 5 weeks ago that Vennie-Macc is Injured
Who would’ve guessed that Gas Can Durbin would pitch better than Vennie Macc over the last month or so???
No One saw that coming!
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
10:25 am
We Just have to be patient with Heyward…Cant trade him away becuase it would be like Trading away another Jermaine Dye…And we can’t send him to the minors either…We just have to rite the ship with him
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
10:27 am
The Schedule the Upcoming month of June is Brutal, especially with Interleague Play! We need to make it out of the The Fire with atleast a .500 month of June…
But the Good Thing about playing the Good teams in the AL East is that the Braves are Notorious for playing up or down to the level of their competition. All three series against the Dead Sox and the Bankees will be “Statement Series”
Mark Bradley
May 31st, 2012
10:28 am
I have to admit: I’d never heard the phrase “stretch out” until last season. That’s a new one for me as well.
Gene
May 31st, 2012
10:39 am
The Braves were successful in the 1990’s because of outstanding pitching, and this group is far from outstanding. But at least Wren and company are doing something. This is not a championship team, but it can be a good team if it cuts out the pre-game lollygagging and stays focused. Fredi is stuck on stupid at times. Strausburg vs Minor again? Yeah, right.
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
10:41 am
Gene
“The Braves were successful in the 1990’s because of outstanding pitching,”
My Man, We Both Know that pitching alone doesn’t win Championships…Having all your money tied up in pitching is Dumb!
The Phillies are a case in Point!
Preston Hannatized
May 31st, 2012
10:43 am
Face it … the Braves have to compete on the cheap.
They keep likeable veterans like Wilson, Diaz, and Hinske for the simple reason of affordability.
They hope to retrain Medlin rather than make a bid for Oswalt because the latter was way too pricy. See Cody Ross. (NB – I’m not saying that Oswalt would come in here and win 15 games but the Braves could not even discuss adding that salary.)
If Simmons can prevent a run or two plus help the starters keep their pitch count down with his glove then he is going to be a much better SS option than Pastornicky.
Having a big hunk of your payroll tied up in a future HOF who may play 90 games isn’t helping. Long term, given the stupid TV deal the Braves locked themselves into, the fiscal future is not looking very bright.
jerry
May 31st, 2012
10:49 am
Wilson should be released and a bat for the bench signed, even if he can’t catch a softball in a tow sack.
JK
May 31st, 2012
10:54 am
I remember Freddie G hinting, in a preseason radio interview, that they would send Pastornicky down and bring up Simmons after “a couple of months” into the season if Pastornicky wasn’t lights out on defense. He kept his word.
Robert Barron
May 31st, 2012
10:58 am
Smoltz was helped by a very funny psychologist more than Leo.
Dawgdad (The Original)
May 31st, 2012
11:08 am
MB
Guess going to a Basketball school in an effort to learn English grammer, is a no go! Hah! Shoulda gone to UGA, like we ens fer your gramer learning.
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
11:10 am
The point in baseball is to outscore the opposition, whether it be by pounding them into oblivion or suppressing their scoring. Ideally, you can do both but that’s not easily achieved. I’ve heard that baseball is 80% pitching, and other similar cliches but the one obvious truth is baseball is 100% scoring more than the other team. I believe Mark is arguing that there is less variability with the pitching. I don’t know whether that is true or not. Within season perhaps it is. I know across seasons pitching can be a bit more unpredicatable, particularly in the bullpens. Either way, Mark’s point is well taken. The Braves supposed strength has been no strength at all. That said, while there were some variables to illicit concern in the offseason (injuries and youth, in particular) it is hard to say the Braves organization should have seen this coming. It’s also hard to say exactly what could have been done about it. And it’s also entirely plausible that this is just a blip. This is a long way of saying good article Mark and I share your concerns. I don’t know that we have enough data yet to really figure this thing out but the early returns are not encouraging.
Eric
May 31st, 2012
11:13 am
Heyward still has a decent On base Percentage—we can ride him—-he is NOT the one killing us. Sure, he can hit more and when he does, he will have .400 on base percentage.
Our lineup, when healthy is great!
We should have signed Oswalt for sure, especially for $5 million???? Maybe we trade away a young arm in July for a #1/#2 pitcher…..wonder who that could be…..my thoughts are Dempster (CHC), Liriano–he would demolish the NL (MIN), Rodriguez (HOU), AJ Burnett (PITT), Jake Peavy (CHW), Erik Bedard–if healthy (PITT)
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
11:15 am
@Preston, I miss the days of Ted Turner as well but this constant whining out here about the payroll needs to run its course. The truth of the matter is the Braves are about middle of the pack in payroll, with potential contenders such as the Reds, Orioles (if you buy them), Nats, Indians, Blue Jays, D’backs, and Rays all behind them and the Dodgers, White Sox and Brewers just a stone’s throw ahead of them. I don’t particularly like to hear excuses from this organization. Why offer them one?
meh
May 31st, 2012
11:15 am
it seems like there’s been a lot of hits up the middle lately. maybe if the middle infielders played more up the middle or a little deeper to get a little more range to get the balls up the middle. I don’t know. maybe I’m crazy.
martyjames
May 31st, 2012
11:18 am
the problem is frank wren singing chipper to 42million knowning he turns 40 great career though but didnt need 3 years hes been paid,derek lowe extra year at 15million now paying the indians kkawmi 8million in minors retired,jack wilson cant play ss to slow now no hit,trade to tx 3starters for them still playing,he hasnt made but one trade thats great bourn,
strapped the cash where cant trade now!!!!!!!!
Ricky bobby
May 31st, 2012
11:23 am
What I can’t understand is why the pitching is so awful now, but at the break last year it was near the tops in the majors. (of course, after the break injuries took hold and pitching struggled)
It’s nOt like McDowell all of a sudden forgot how to coach pitching. But for some strange reason, velocity is down for most all of them, few are going deep into games, and they all (minus beachy) just seem to have regressed. Doesn’t make sense to me.
TomB
May 31st, 2012
11:24 am
One of these days Mark is going to turn the spotlight on Wren. Bobby Cox made Wren look decent, but now you have to seriously look at the job he is doing. It’s obvious that the Lowe and Kawakami contracts have impacted the Braves ability to sign a decent veteran pitcher or good hitting outfielder the past few years. And, the trade for McClouth didn’t work out very well not to mention the Kotchman and Church trades. You can argue all you want about money, but just look at the Baltimore organization and what they’ve accomplished. Even his best acquisition, Bourn, may turn out not so good if we don’t resign him now.
JF McNamara
May 31st, 2012
11:29 am
Are the Braves are turning into a bad organization? They seem to rush people through the system to the big leagues then crush them if they don’t perform right away or struggle. Minor, Delgado, and Pastornicky all fit that mold.
Heyward got crushed last year and he was a whopping 21 years old. Jordan Schafer, same thing.
We aren’t the Yankees. We aren’t signing players in their primes to big contracts. These are all kids who are rushed into a high pressure situations. Keep them in the minors until they are fully vetted. Check for holes in swings and bad pitch locations in the minors and fix them there before you promote them. They will be exposed in the majors, and they can’t work through those problems at the big league level with such high expectations.
JC Boscan III
May 31st, 2012
11:29 am
One thing that seems to get overlooked regarding our current pitching staff is how poorly some of them field their position. In the Good Old Days, guys like Maddux and Glavine followed through and landed in a good fielding position. A grounder or liner go up the middle and some of our pitchers (Venters being one) are defenseless – in NO position to field the ball, so it zips right past them into center field. As a former pitcher, it seems like that is a vital part of your job — once you let go of the ball, you become 1 of the 9 fielders! It seems ridiculous that a guy can make it to the major leagues with a follow-through that leaves him unable to field his position……
Don
May 31st, 2012
11:29 am
You are absolutely right about the Starting Pitching.
But why is this any surprise. All winter, I said that this was going to be a problem – and was called everything from an idiot to worse.
GOOD GRIEF – we had FOUR of our FIVE Starters from last year comming off INJURES.
But the most ASTOUNDING, UNBELIEVABLE thing is – that you and the other WRITERS are making no issue about the OBVIOUS CAUSE OF OUR PITCHING PROBLEMS. —-
Of all the large number of different Starting Pitchers that the Braves have had in the SIX or SEVEN YEARS since Leo left as Pitching Coach, almost EVERY ONE of them has ended up being injured.
Before their first injures JJ, Hanson, Medlen, and Hudson had already established themselves as great pitchers – and three of them were young. Along with Beachy and the other great young pitching talent, the Braves should have been set for years.
After injuries, pitchers many (perhaps most) times do not return to their former effectiveness.
Now look at the situatuon – and nothing is being done about the cause – the problem – and nothing is being WRITTEN about it – AMAZING.
Uncle Tom
May 31st, 2012
11:29 am
All right………isn’t the REAL problem that lays at the base of all these problems the “ownership,” Liberty Media? Just as with the LaSalle Corp back in the old days, we will never be a legitimate and consistent contender again without local leadership.
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
11:30 am
@TomB, I’m with you again today. Yeah, Frank Wren shouldn’t get a free pass. They’ve made several questionable decisions. The drafts have also slipped with him at the helm (though the reason for that may be beyond Wren).
Turtsnap
May 31st, 2012
11:38 am
Every day Jonny is giving me an ulcer! Hope he finds his form soon….. I think it is confidence at this point. His pitches still have the movement they did last year, but his location is awful!
nashvillewill
May 31st, 2012
11:39 am
The Braves needed an infusion of youth, energy, and enthusiasm – see what Constanza brings to the table – and Simmons will bring same. So I think it’s a good move. Still wish they had released Wilson, though, and kept Nicky, as he brings more offensively than either Wilson or Simmons.
Next problem, what to do about Heyward? He obviously has not improved as we had hoped. Send him to Gwinnett and bring up one of the outfielders there – Gartell, for example.
Pitching is a major problem. Perhaps sending Minor down and replacing with Redmond or Carlyle or Teheran would offer a temporary fix. I think Hanson may be headed for the DL again with his funky mechanics. Hudson also is a concern with his last start and the one against the Nats. Lots of issues and the only answer right now is Beachy.
Nattering Nabob
May 31st, 2012
11:40 am
It’s amusing to hear complaints about the Braves being hamstrung by the Lowe and Kawakami contracts and how they prevent the Braves from signing a good veteran pitcher. That’s exactly what the Braves were trying to do when they signed those two. You can’t ever tell how someone is going to perform when you sign them, but the Braves, and others, thought there was a good chance those guys could deliver. The Braves have no guarantees that the next guy they sign will do any better.
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
11:41 am
Might as well go ahead and start the debate. When Chipper returns soon, he goes to 3rd and Prado moves back to LF. It seems like when Constanza plays we win(if he is healthy). He brings energy, excitement and speed to the team, do we all agree on this? J Heyward is a great kid and a darling of the ATL community. He seems to bring a .220 type average, decent D with average arm strength to his game. He is very young though. Which one( Constanza or Heyward) gives the Braves the best chance to WIN? Remember it is a business about winning not a popularity contest? If you decide on Jose, he should get opportunity to play at least 3 months on a regular basis?
Ricky bobby
May 31st, 2012
11:42 am
McNamara – could not have said it better. Not only do braves rush guys to the bigs, but it also just seems like these guys have tendencies to regress. Heyward has the very good rookie campaign where he bats .277 / 18 / 72 and has significantly regressed in seasons since. Same can be said for some others. I feel like the guys are not getting much if any good coaching.
Now I still think the braves are and will be fine (playoff team) for this year, but I don’t think they get anywhere near what they should out of their talent.
Bob
May 31st, 2012
11:43 am
Mark or someone. What happened to Gattis. He was banging the ball pretty well after his call up to Mississippi, but hasn’t played in awhile.
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
11:46 am
Forgot to mention – J Heyward is 22 yr old, 6′4″, 235-240lbs, seems to me he attempts to get walks and slaps ball around for singles? A player that size should be a power guy like Uggla, Evan Battis or F Freeman? Not trying to rip Jason but that is just the way I see it?
mountain_jim
May 31st, 2012
11:50 am
Wilson was brutal last night on defense. I like bringing up Simmons, as long as Wilson rarely sees the field.
Nick
May 31st, 2012
11:51 am
Tom:
Your debate is welcome to begin. Do you remember what Costanza looked like at the end of his little streak last year. Believe he hit below .200. When a guy has been in the minors for as long as he has there is normally a reason. (See Boscan: does some things well, but can’t put it together) This guy has never performed at a high level consistently. So since he doesn’t have the ceiling that Heyward has you play Heyward. Anyone arguing that Constanza will give the Braves a better chance needs their head examined in my opinion, that being said, If they choose to sit Heyward then going out and getting a more productive RF should be the move.
JC Boscan III
May 31st, 2012
11:51 am
Gattis has a wrist injury….
One thing that doesn’t seem to get much attention is how poorly some of our pitchers field their position. In the Good Old Days, guys like Maddux and Glavine were prepared to field their spot after their follow-through. Venters is one bad example. It’s amazing that a guy can make it to the majors and not have a delivery that sets him up to field his position — once he lets go of the ball, the pitcher becomes 1 of 9 fielders. Fundamentals!
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
11:54 am
@Tom G, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking walk. As Chipper reportedly once tried to explain to a thick-headed Jeff Francouer, the path to power in baseball is patience (he didn’t say exactly that – I believe Sonny Clusters would at least interject an “uh” or two in there – but that was more or less the point). That said, I think the questions here about the Braves ability to develop hitters are good ones. This has not been an organizational strength. Even when Baseball America or Keith Law has given them high ranks in recent years it has almost entirely been based on the the depth of their pitching.
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
11:57 am
@Nick, agreed. I don’t mind riding the hot hand from time-to-time but generally speaking these career AAAA players are who we thought they were (bangs hand on desk!!!).
JF McNamara
May 31st, 2012
11:59 am
@Tom G (Independent – Viet Vet),
Heyward is 22, and he is improved. His at bats are much better. For a comparison of the player he will be when he gets to 24 or 25, look at Adam Dunn. High on base percentage because of walks, high strike out rate and plus power.
Peak baseball is from 26 to 32. He has not grown into his power and is still perfecting his craft. He’s going to be a good player. He’s not terrible now, but below the uber high expectations.
Tomahawkin
May 31st, 2012
12:05 pm
Seeing Heyward Struggle like this really makes us Spoiled when A. Jones was Clowning in his 3rd year in 1998…
Najeh Davenpoop
May 31st, 2012
12:06 pm
Sadly enough, Frank Wren is probably Atlanta’s most proactive GM. With that said, he blew it big time by not finding a way to bring Roy Oswalt in here.
TomB
May 31st, 2012
12:07 pm
Nattering Nabob, thanks for your stupid response. Of course they were hoping to bring in some good quality pitchers but they failed. This is how GM’s are evaluated, not only how the talent pans out but also how much they paid for them. Misallocation of resources, ever heard of this, so its one thing if Lowe doesn’t produce but its quite another to tie up sixty million dollars over four years.Twenty three million for Kawakami would get most GM’s fired.
Tom G (Independent - Viet Vet)
May 31st, 2012
12:10 pm
Nick – Interesting post. If I remember correctly about last season, Constanza hurt his wrist and everything went downhill from there. Of course the rest of the Braves stopped playing about 20 games near the end! Speed never slumps, Constanza can still be a positive even if he does not hit .300-.400, he is a little guy but his arm strength and D are very similar to Jason’s? Your second comment about bringing in a new guy, Liberty Mutual is so cheap, they probably could not even acquire the hot-dog vendor as a new player? This will probably get me blasted but I would love to see Frenchy (Jeff Franceour) return to RF! He is hitting around .285, still has the rocket arm and would probably cost 3-5 million to get it done. Every time I look in the sports boxes at KC, he has 2, 3, and sometimes 4 hit games, unfortunately Jason never seems able to do that.
Steve From Dalton
May 31st, 2012
12:10 pm
ONCE AND FOR ALL there was not way the Braves were going to dish out 5 to six million dollars (like the Rangers) to get Roy Oswalt for half a season.
Steve From Dalton
May 31st, 2012
12:11 pm
What happend to all the great minor league pitching that the Braves would not trade?
TomB
May 31st, 2012
12:15 pm
Steve from Dalton, that’s pretty cheap if he can help you win the pennant. Oswalt is a good veteran pitcher that could definitely help this team.
keeping it real
May 31st, 2012
12:15 pm
Bring up JJ now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
baseballman1
May 31st, 2012
12:16 pm
Please get an everyday shortstop…PLEASE…I’m BEGGIN!!!!!!
DetroitBraves
May 31st, 2012
12:17 pm
I know referencing advanced metrics out here is likely to get me burned at the stake but Francoeur is at 0.5 WAR right now and Heyward at 1.4. Francoeur is supposedly in his prime years, and playing well, while Heyward is only 22 and developing. And yet Heyward is STILL a better player right now than Jeff Francoeur. And this while Heyward makes a little over $500K and Francoeur $6.7M.