Could the Braves Get Some Pinch Hitting?

by gondeee on Apr 21, 2009 3:00 PM EDT

As Bobby Cox did the whole double-pinch-hitter switch last night, replacing the pitcher with pinch hitter Greg Norton, then replacing him with pinch hitter Martin Prado who promptly popped up, I thought about the state of our pinch hitting corps. This is an area of the Braves that I thought, and many others thought, would be a strength of the team. But here we sit 13 games into the season and the Braves are a pitiful 1-for-20 in pinch hit appearances.

Our vaunted pinch hitter extraordinaire, Greg Norton, has been worthless, with an 0-for-10 mark in that role, including 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. Garret Anderson, when he has pinch hit, it an inglorious 0-for-4. Martin Prado is the only guy with a pinch hit and a pinch hit RBI.

I don't mean to pile on that the Braves are playing like bantha poodoo, but this is just one more area that needs massive improvement.

An interesting read-between-the-lines moment here is that Matt Diaz has not yet had a pinch hit appearance this year. This underscores the fragility of Garret Anderson and the need to keep someone in reserve on the bench just in case Anderson gets gimpy in the field. Removing Diaz as a possible pinch-hitter is a terrible blow to our bench and further proof that Anderson is more harmful to the Atlanta roster than helpful.

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Comments

Probably a little early to start worrying about this. Rake went 18 for 57 with 17 walks last season as a PH. I’ve still got faith in him.

I know we didn’t have room for him, but I was a big fan of Ruben Gotay coming off the bench. He had zippy power, but I enjoyed his .360 OBP as a PH last season.

Braves 2009 offense: in play, out(s)
Braves 2009 bullpen: in play, run(s)

by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 21, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Bantha Poodoo nice.

by someguy917 on Apr 21, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

i had gone to bed, so i missed this. He replaced a switchhitter with a right hander? What the hell? Was it one of those where they bring in another pitcher and Bobby panics because he MUST make a counter move? Thank Pujols i missed it, i would’ve been so angry i would’ve lost sleep. Maybe ‘Bobby shouldn’t be allowed to manage after 10 pm.

"Ohhhh Shit."-Bobby Cox, 3/28/09

by 10-4 on Apr 21, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

Well, Norton may be a SH, but he has kind of sucked against LHP throughout his career (.217/.304/.341).

Norton is, for all intents and purposes, a left handed handed hitter in terms of match ups.

by Lennox on Apr 21, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

1. 2 weeks into the season fellas, 155 games (if my math is correct) left…Don’t jump ship just yet

2. G. Anderson needs to go.

Penis

by justincredubil02 on Apr 21, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

162 – 13 = …carry the one… 149 games left. But I agree, it’s still early and Anderson needs a trip to the DL.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by beeniez on Apr 21, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

oh god

did i really just do that?

I would claim this as an excuse…

but i have a penis.

Penis

by justincredubil02 on Apr 21, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Too easy.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Apr 21, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Good to see I’m not the only person that can’t count to 162.

Braves 2009 offense: in play, out(s)
Braves 2009 bullpen: in play, run(s)

by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 21, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

We may not be good at math but we are good at other things????

I never had a guy ask me about my math skills……wonder why???

by HEYJUDE on Apr 21, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

+1 get rid of GA and call up Brandon Jones

by wash088 on Apr 21, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

Norton's only good every-other season.

And it’s the wrong year. Go look at his career numbers.

Tommy Hanson 4 ROY

by timmy3 on Apr 21, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

Garrett Anderson

I was on the “get rid of Garrett Anderson” train before we even signed him…..however, I guess he’s better than me being out there. Although, I’d be WAY CHEAPER, and could have the same production he’s provided so far, maybe even with less errors. Might as well just play with 8 guys in the field. Can Tommy Hanson play Outfield? I’m starting the “Bring Back Corky Miller Campaign”. Yeah, he’s terrible, but at least he’s supposed to be terrible. Maybe he can loaf around in leftfield, b/c Anderson stinks. The Angels are a solid franchise, and when they someone go, maybe that’s a hint that he can’t play anymore. Just a thought. Ron Gant for PRESIDENT!!!

by jdub1 on Apr 21, 2009 8:20 PM EDT reply actions