Atlanta Braves May Aftermath: MVPs and LVPs

by Scott Coleman on Jun 4, 2010 3:47 PM EDT in Series Previews & Recaps

Like we did in April we will be presenting the hitting and pitching MVPs and LVPs each month. Here's the recap for May, which was easily one of the best months the Braves have ever had. The Braves finished the month with a record of 20-8 which propelled them to a lead in the NL East.

Hitting MVP: Lots of choices here. One could certainly make a case for April's MVP, Martin Prado. Marteeen has been hitting well this season and he's been unreal since moving up the leadoff spot. He always seems to spark the team and he's showing everyone that the Braves chose the right 2nd baseman this offseason. You could make make a case for Troy Glaus. Glausy was on fire towards the end of the month and is showing everybody what he can do when he's healthy. But as good as Martin and Troy were in May, there was one man who outperformed all of them: Jason Heyward. Despite Glaus winning MLB's player of the month, Heyward really did have better numbers. He continues to come up with the clutch hits and boasted an incredible line of .337/.453/.628 in just his 2nd month of his career. Keep it up J-Hey.

Jason Heyward

#22 / Right Field / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-5

Weight: 240

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Aug 09, 1989

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2010 - Jason Heyward	50	170	29	48	10	3	10	38	33	37	4	3	.282	.411	.553

Hitting LVP: This one is basically a tie. Both Yunel Escobar and Nate McLouth were awful in the month of May. Neither one hit with RISP and both featured an OPS in the mid .500's. It seemed like McLouth had a few at bats where it played a big role in the Braves winning, but it still seemed like he failed miserably at least once a night. Yunel had games where it looked like he was turning it around, but would then follow it up with a 0-for-4 game where he'd only see 5 pitches. It's a close call, but we'll give Esco just the slightest edge over McLouth. McLouth struck out in nearly 28% of his ABs and had a line of .181/.294/.277. Wow.

Nate McLouth

#24 / Center Field / Atlanta Braves

Height: 5-11

Weight: 180

Bats: L

Throws: R

Born: Oct 28, 1981

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2010 - Nate McLouth	51	156	18	28	9	0	3	14	25	45	4	2	.179	.303	.295

Pitching MVP: This is an easy one. Tim Hudson was unquestionably our best pitcher in the month of May. Huddy went 4-0 with an impressive 1.59 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. Hudson came into the season 18 months removed from Tommy John Surgery and was a pretty big question mark in the rotation. I think it's safe to say it was a smart move to re-sign him to a 3 year deal. Besides Huddy, you could make a case for 3 of our bullpen pitchers, Wagner, Saito and Jonny Venters. You could also make a strong case for Kris Medlen. Meds has been fantastic while filling in for Jurrjens and is making a case to stay in the rotation once JJ returns. All 4 of these guys were great in the month of May, but their production just doesn't match Huddy's.

Tim Hudson

#15 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-1

Weight: 170

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Jul 14, 1975

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Tim Hudson	6-1	11	11	0	0	0	0	70.1	53	18	18	5	27	33	2.30	1.14

Pitching LVP: You know what's awesome? When there really isn't a true candidate for being an LVP. The worst ERA one of the Braves' starters had was Tommy Hanson (5.03). Hanson did struggle a bit against the DBacks and got blasted by the Reds, but was still his normal filthy self during May. If you exclude our LVP for the month of May, the worst ERA by a bullpen pitcher was Eric O'Flaherty and his 3.75 ERA. That's incredible. I did say that if you exclude the LVP, and that's Jesse Chavez. Chavez was pretty bad all month long and had an ugly ERA of 10.13 and a 1.78 WHIP. Fortunately for the Braves, he's not a big part of our 'pen going forward, and is likely a candidate to be sent down if we need space for Resop, Kimbrel, Dunn or if they need space to install the new bullpen bidet.

Jesse Chavez

#43 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-2

Weight: 170

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Aug 21, 1983

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Jesse Chavez	0-0	16	0	0	0	0	0	22.0	24	18	18	5	7	22	7.36	1.41

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Comments

I'll take it

With the numbers the above guys produced, we had one of the best months of the franchise. I think everyone knows that both McLouth and Chaves are not long term answers. We’ll be fine. I’ll take 20 wins every month.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
~Earl Wilson

by BeantownVol on Jun 4, 2010 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

Good Choices

Couldn’t make a reasonable argument against any of those.

I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. ~ Crash Davis

by Old Braves' Fan on Jun 4, 2010 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

If possible, Heyward may be exceeding expectations. He is a legitimate MVP candidate

by eaheckman10 on Jun 4, 2010 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Meds is freaking awesome!

The dude is a gamer and does whatever it takes for the W for the team. He has stated that he wouldn’t mind going back to the pen but I don’t think he should. What a conundrum the Braves have again in starting pitching. Oh by the way, Meds pickoff move is insane.

by romone_braves91 on Jun 4, 2010 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

To be honest, there isn't an obvious candidate right now...

all 5 starters are pitching pretty well, including Medlen, Lowe, and KK.

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 4, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. Lowe is the biggest shock to me. I never thought he could turn it around. But once again, I am glad he is another person (the other being Glaus) who is proving me wrong.

by romone_braves91 on Jun 4, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I think I figured it out

If you go into a game thinking he can’t win, and throughout the game, you don’t trust that he’ll continue doing well, then he’ll always surprise you with his performance.

Not that I don’t like Lowe, but I was hoping he would make a turnaround at the beginning of the season, so his first few starts were a real let-down. Recently, I’ve been apprehensive to think he’s turned a corner, but it’s still nice seeing better numbers from him.

Morton hit Heyward with an offspeed pitch. Early indication is that the baseball survived the impact.

by award6 on Jun 4, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Pessimism

and us superstitious baseball fans seem to go together, don’t we? ;-)

I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. ~ Crash Davis

by Old Braves' Fan on Jun 4, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey Hey

Ho Ho
That avatar has got to go!

"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton

by UMDBHIK on Jun 4, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Meds has to have one of the best pickoff moves for a RH. He should have had one last week too, but the dumb ump called the runner safe and he didn’t even touch the bag!

by Sparhawk on Jun 4, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

As I recall,

he did throw a runner out in that game in addition to the one that the ump missed. So he should have had 3 pickoffs in his last 2 starts. Impressive.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Jun 4, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

The Craziest Month for the Braves in years

1. The Big comeback on the Reds in the bottom of the 9th inning with a Grand Slam walk off homerun by the unlikeliness player on the staff in Brooks Conrad.

2. Ending the month with a big winning streak (including a sweep of the phools from up north).

3. Glaus, Prado, and Heyward killing baseball.

4. The monsoon 4th inning performance by Tim Hudson.

5. Braves were 9-14 and 5 games back entering May. Then with a complete turnaround (due largely to lineup change Prado 1 and Heyward 2 plus strong pitching), the team ended May with a record of 29-22 and in first place.

6. Glaus gets NL player of the month followed by Jason Heyward. And, Heyward gets NL rookie of the month.

7. Stuff outside of the Braves team: two perfect games, phools stealing signs and are falling hard from grace, and two inside the park HR caused by the same CF, (if I left off anything please let me know)

What a month….Go Bravos!

by romone_braves91 on Jun 4, 2010 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t say “unlikeli[est]” player, but yeah, good times. lol

"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
"i’m going to keep stats on you for as long as it humors me….target is unclear" - BMacAttack (Hohn's queef)

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jun 4, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah I knew I was going to type one word wrong. thanks for the fix.

by romone_braves91 on Jun 4, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Heyward is smiling

Because if he had frowned, the photographer’s skeleton would have melted.

Inventor of the iChop, 5/31/10

by Fonce on Jun 4, 2010 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

whew. that’s a close shave. ha

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jun 4, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Jason Heyward is the reason that Chuck Norris parks his car in a garage.

by Joseph_C on Jun 4, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Which 2 should I get out of Andrew McCutchen, Brett Gardner, Jose Guillen

for fanasty?

by bravesforever16 on Jun 4, 2010 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

Cutch without a doubt. And then probably Gardner

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- You know he's gonna get you, you just never know when or where."

by Scott Coleman on Jun 4, 2010 5:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Why is Guillen even in the conversation?

That-a-boy, let the athlete catch it Chipper!

by djvog on Jun 4, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Because he had a rockin' April

But it was way over his own head.

by Bronn on Jun 4, 2010 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions

How is McCutchen even available? Unless you’re talking trade, and if so, what are you giving up to get him?

"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton

by UMDBHIK on Jun 4, 2010 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Rosterbation is rosterbation no matter where it occurs.

Trying to initiate some fantasy rosterbation are we? haha, I’m just giving you a hard time…

by bwellnjonesco on Jun 4, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

You’re right. Failure on me here.

/feels shame

"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton

by UMDBHIK on Jun 5, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Excellent choices.

What I like is that we had lots of candidates for the MVPs and not many for the LVPs. Unlike April.

Hopefully we can keep our good run going tonight. After all, it’s only May 35th!

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Jun 4, 2010 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

May 35th is my favorite day of the whole year. ;)

by Sparhawk on Jun 4, 2010 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Lineup:

Prado
Infante
Heyward
Glaus
Esco
Cabrera
Ross
McLouth
KK

So yeah, I’m gonna say that our streak ends tonight. I hope I’m wrong though.

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- You know he's gonna get you, you just never know when or where."

by Scott Coleman on Jun 4, 2010 6:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

it keeps going...... i know,

by bluelg on Jun 4, 2010 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Pain. Hurts. Ouch.

"This stadium is upside down!!!" -Jim Powell, 4/5/2010

by Cammando2317 on Jun 4, 2010 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

umm

did you see who’s batting 6th? way too low right?

We have traded away great players for less than nothing and let Texierra walk away, and much much more so pray that Hayward is sent from God and that his energy can ignite the veterans and cause the younger players to hustle more and play winning baseball...

by bpk228480 on Jun 4, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

and honestly this team isnt that much different than last night…ross is hitting about as well as mac right now….and we subbed an MVP in to play left

by bpk228480 on Jun 4, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s Kershaw though. We’ll be fine if we take some pitches, but the dude is filthy.

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- You know he's gonna get you, you just never know when or where."

by Scott Coleman on Jun 4, 2010 6:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

10 straight. Watch.

by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jun 4, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

for that reverse psychology

I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. ~ Crash Davis

by Old Braves' Fan on Jun 4, 2010 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Looks like a good enough lineup to me

outside of Knasty Knate. And even he had a double last night, so maybe he’s come around.

If Kershaw is on his game, we won’t score much, but that’d be true no matter what lineup we put out there. And if Kershaw isn’t on his game, we’ll be just fine.

Of course, KK is pitching, so we won’t score more than 2 runs no matter who we put out there.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Jun 4, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

SAVE THE CHILDREN! Score the man some runs.

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- You know he's gonna get you, you just never know when or where."

by Scott Coleman on Jun 4, 2010 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. ~ Crash Davis

by Old Braves' Fan on Jun 4, 2010 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Should we go after David DeJesus to replace McLouth?

With Venters and O’Flaherty’s great play, do you think Dunn is the most probable Brave to be traded? His trade value has to be high, and we could push him as MLB ready and a potential closer..

Brandon W: "What's up Heyward?"
Jason H: "Hangin with Freddie, What you up to Brandon?"
Brandon W: "nothing much."

by bwellnjonesco on Jun 4, 2010 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

Cleanup in aisle 3!

"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton

by UMDBHIK on Jun 4, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

In public too. Think of the little kids!

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- You know he's gonna get you, you just never know when or where."

by Scott Coleman on Jun 4, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Is 24 too old to not know what this means? It doesn’t sound good…

Brandon W: "What's up Heyward?"
Jason H: "Hangin with Freddie, What you up to Brandon?"
Brandon W: "nothing much."

by bwellnjonesco on Jun 4, 2010 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

It means that public rosterbation usually leaves a sticky mess everywhere.

"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton

by UMDBHIK on Jun 4, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought it might be relevant to this post since McLouth was pointed out as the hitting LVP, and there’s no signs of him improving…

I understand creating a entire thread to discuss a deal is annoying and gets messy, but a comment? I mean, there’s now more room taken up bitching about it, then it would of been replied to anyways..

Brandon W: "What's up Heyward?"
Jason H: "Hangin with Freddie, What you up to Brandon?"
Brandon W: "nothing much."

by bwellnjonesco on Jun 4, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Rosterbation is rosterbation no matter where it occurs.

"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton

by UMDBHIK on Jun 4, 2010 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

No means no

I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. ~ Crash Davis

by Old Braves' Fan on Jun 4, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

DeJesus

I’ve actually wanted the Braves to make a play for this guy for the last two years.

Kawakami is not absolute shit, but he isn’t any good either.

by Nova Scotia Steve on Jun 5, 2010 3:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Should be a good competition for MVP of June.

I’m going to select a darkhorse candidate: Yunel Escobar. He’s due for a big month in a big, big way.

"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton

by UMDBHIK on Jun 4, 2010 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Saito to DL. Kimbrel called up.

by atl192485 on Jun 4, 2010 7:27 PM EDT reply actions

It occurs to me this is just a Braves-flavored "Goofus and Gallant"

I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing Matt Cain.

by TheLetter2 on Jun 4, 2010 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry But I Disagree

I think our MVP for May was Glaus. 28 RBI compared to Heywards 19….And i know Heywards avg was better but i’m just looking at the clutch ribbies from Glaus all month….and i would even consider Lowe or Huddy for MVP over Heyward. Its close…..and just my opinion…..Braves had great month!

Kawakami is not absolute shit, but he isn’t any good either.

by Nova Scotia Steve on Jun 5, 2010 3:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions