Loading ...It Wasn’t A Lack Of Power…..
Written by Kent on July 22, 2009 – 7:32 am….it was the “Axis Of Feeble”
If you’re one of the many fans or national sports media types who still aren’t taking the Braves seriously, there is something you need to know… You are mistaken.
You observe that the Braves have little more thunder in their lineup than they had through the first 3 months of the season, and you see no reason why they’re offensive woes won’t extend into the figurative “second half”. The trouble is… your premise is flawed.
You think the Braves have failed to score runs consistently for most of the year because they have lacked “impact power”. But the truth is that a lack of power was not the primary source of their offensive impotency in the first half. The REAL problem was having not one, not two, but THREE near-automatic outs in the lineup.
You can score plenty of runs without a single 30-homerun hitter. Just ask the ’98 Yankees. If you don’t have 2 or 3 huge bats in the middle of the order, that’s just fine, but you need to have a well balanced lineup full of quality hitters. The problem was… the Braves didn’t have either. There were three “Shaq”-sized holes in their lineup.
For the first 2-3 months of the season Jordan Schafer, Kelly Johnson, and Jeff Francoeur formed an axis-of-feeble. Like a black hole, they sucked the life out of this Atlanta offense. This underachieving trio killed rally after rally, and prevented many others from ever being sparked in the first place. It even managed to turn two of the league’s best starters, Jair Jurrjens and Javier Vazquez, into losing pitchers for a time.
While Atlanta now has more homerun power than many think, and will likely top their first half homerun total by a wide margin, the Braves don’t have multiple mashers in the middle of their lineup. That means that, to some extent, walks, singles, and doubles have to come together in combination in order to score sufficiently and reliably. But when you have THREE members of your lineup who are virtually guaranteed to pull the plug on any potentially productive inning… how can you ever score runs consistently?
You can’t. And they didn’t.
But the Braves plugged one of those holes when they replaced Schafer with all-star Center Fielder, Nate McLouth, in June. And now, in July, they have plugged the other two holes as well. Martin Prado ripped the starting second-base job out of Kelly Johnson’s hands with his recent all-star caliber play. Then, Frank Wren and Co. replaced the floundering Francoeur with the capable right-field platoon of Matt Diaz and Ryan Church (for whom the Braves dealt “Frenchy” to the Mets).
Atlanta’s offense isn’t likely to be among the game’s very best from now until the end of the season. However, I believe this Braves lineup will surprise the naysayers in the second half. Their detractors have failed to recognize the TRUE problem. Therefore, they have yet to notice that it has been fixed. But they will be forced to take note if the Braves continue to climb the ladder in key offensive categories. Atlanta recently jumped from 11th to 8th (out of 16 teams) in the National League in runs scored, and now has the 4th best team batting average in the NL. In my view, smart money says they’ll finish higher than 8th in runs scored by season’s end.
Every single position in the Braves batting order is likely to hit for a solid average, and is capable of delivering 15 homeruns or better. Three positions can deliver 25 or more homeruns. And six of the eight positions are manned by players capable of thumping 40 doubles in a season.
Frank Wren and Bobby Cox now have the lineup they envisioned at the start of spring. There are no 30 homerun bombers… but solid hitters with pop throughout the lineup, 1-8. And more often than not, that will be enough to win behind this Atlanta pitching.
The axis-of-feeble is gone, and better days are ahead.
Tags: Bobby Cox, Frank Wren, Nate McLouth, Ryan Church
Posted in General | 8 Comments »
By jakfon on Jul 23, 2009 | Reply
I agree with your statement about our lineup having up to three semi automatic outs. It seems like evertime we got something going in a game, here came on of those semi automatic outs. Kelly and Jeff were the main reasons for that problem.
I always felt like Garret would start producing hits. I also believe we have yet to see the best from Nate. And when we get Omar back, look out.
I would like to see us get one good power bat in the lineup. The reason for that is number one …power. We need some of that. And two, if would force the opp to sometimes pitch around a power bat, but me on the bases for another hitter to drive in more runs.
Our pitching is great. I love the makeup we have. It will get better also when Hudson comes back.
I think we are one move away from a National League Championship contender.
By Kent on Jul 23, 2009 | Reply
Well, I certainly don't disagree that adding one big power bat would make this a better team. I right-handed hitting cleanup hitter would make this a scary lineup, and would do great things for this team. However, respectfully… I don't agree that we are one move away from being a NL Championship contender. I believe we already are a contender.
We didn't add a 35 HR guy. BUT… we added a 25 HR. 40 double guy (McLouth). and a .300, 15 HR, 40+ double type of hitter (Prado) to the lineup, in addition to a Diaz/Church platoon that is a big upgrade on what we were getting from that position. That's a huge, HUGE upgrade!!!
Again, the Braves have 15 HR power at EVERY position (even though Kotchman's power numbers are down). Also – and this is very important to take note of – ATLANTA LEADS THE LEAGUE IN DOUBLES. I would LOVE to have another big bat, but there IS enough offense here to support the best pitching in the league.
By Keith on Jul 24, 2009 | Reply
The braves made a huge mistake by sending Brooks Conrad down in favor of Kelly. I understand that they had little choice with him but why not cut Greg Norton. Kelly should have taken Norton's spot and only be a pinch hitter. You can thank the continued great pitching for the recent streak. But this is a team effort and the Braves would not have won as many without the recent offensive output. Who do we thank for that? Martin Prado first. Anderson has woke up and Casey has provided timely hitting and defense. Escobar has been lightts out and McCann has continued to hit. Oh I forgot, BROOKS CONRAD has found himself in several key rallys during the streak. We broke up the continuity for Kelly Johnson? Frank Wren has made many great moves but this one really SUCKS. I hope this doesn't come back to bite them.
By KentCovington on Jul 25, 2009 | Reply
Keith, I agree that they should have released Norton and kept Conrad here. However, Infante will be back soon, and Conrad would likely have been sent down at that time anyway. But hey… at least Conrad will be back in 5 weeks when we see the September call-ups. And if you're asking me… I think we very well may see Heyward in September too.
By Mark on Jul 25, 2009 | Reply
I hope we get to see Heyward, im so excited to see this kid in the bigs. Conrad had a great couple of weeks, but so did schaefer…..dont forget that. He will be back, kelly has earned the right to redeem himself after coming off the DL….does anyone else agree that this is kelly's last chance to prove himself? im pretty sure prado has secured himself the starting job at 2nd for as long as he wants it.
By Paul on Jul 25, 2009 | Reply
The biggest question is not who are the braves going to trade for at the deadline, rather where are they going to put Tim Hudson. There is no doubt the lineup is solid the way it is and so is the pitching staff. I can't see a playoff braves team with Hudson in the bullpen or even worse left off the post season roster.
By Mark on Jul 25, 2009 | Reply
put kawakami in the pen…
By Kent on Jul 27, 2009 | Reply
Well, we knew all along that there was no way they were going to bump Lowe, Vazquez, or Jurrjens to the 'pen. And after the way Hanson has performed in Atlanta, there's no way they're moving him from the rotation either. So that only leaves 2 possibilities…
Either Hudson goes direction to the bullpen, or Kawakami moves to the 'pen to make room for Hudson.
They could easily decided on either of these two options, and it won't surprise me. But, if I had to guess, I'd say Hudson goes to the 'pen. There are a number of good reasons to put Hudson in the 'pen for the remainder of the '09 season…
First of all, if Hudson holds true to his career form, he is a strike thrower. And that's what you want coming out of the bullpen. Kawakami, by contrast, has had some trouble adjusting to MLB baseballs and the MLB strikezone (tighter than the strikezone is called in Japan). Often, it takes Kawakami an inning or two to really settle in. Not exactly what you want from a reliever.
But Kawkami generally DOES settle in nicely at some point when he starts. Since May 1, Kawkami has posted an ERA of 3.20. Can really expect Hudson to top that fresh off rehab, after a year away??
In addition to Hudson's strike-throwing ways, there are a couple other great reasons to add him, not Kawakami to the 'pen: Hudson is a ground ball pitcher, which would give Bobby another guy to call on in double play situations (or for an inning at a time). And, if Hudson comes back in a relief role, he can return about 2 weeks earlier than if he were to start.
And let's keep in mind… it's not just a matter of finding someplace to put Hudson. The Braves actually do NEED another reliever. Hudson seems better suited to fill that need than Kawakami is (who is already doing a great job in his current role)… so all the pieces seem to fit, from where I'm standing.