Question for Braves fans

by Matt Swartz on Aug 13, 2010 9:44 PM EDT

My name is Matt Swartz, and I’m an author at Baseball Prospectus. I’m doing some research on the infield shift (where three infielders play on the right side of second base for a left-handed hitter), and the data is a bit hard to come by. Since I know what a great resource the SBNation blogs are, being a former writer at one myself, I thought that some of you could give me some help.

I am curious who has gotten shifted against on your team MOST of the time, AND who your team regularly has shifted against in your division over the last 18 years. To jog your memory I am listing the lefties and switch-hitters that your team has had in the last 18 years that have hit at least 20 home runs.

Thank you for your help.

LHB

Brian McCann
Adam LaRoche
J.D. Drew
Ryan Klesko
Fred McGriff
David Justice

SHB

Mark Teixeira
Chipper Jones

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McCann

Gets shifted against a lot. If not every game.

"Give him the heater Ricky."

by Pavy848 on Aug 13, 2010 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

McCann

but he can hit it to the opposite field and does sometimes, especially when the shift is on, also occassionally bunts for base hits :), we like him

by BravesRaleigh on Aug 13, 2010 10:18 PM EDT reply actions

McCann is the only guy that comes to mind that I remember teams shifting against.

I seem to recall that we regularly shift against Ryan Howard. We also always shifted on David Ortiz when we were playing the Red Sox every year in interleague play.

"I should have followed Rhyno's advice..." Mr. Sanchez 06/18/2010

by Rhyno18 on Aug 13, 2010 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve noticed McCann gets shifted a lot

"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones

by MBL1 on Aug 13, 2010 10:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

McCann and Teixeira were shifted against, those are the only ones I am aware of. I watched all of those players play. I don’t remember if they did for Klesko, but it would have been a good idea.

Twitter: @Ben_Duronio

by BenDuronio on Aug 13, 2010 10:34 PM EDT reply actions

I remember them shifting on Klesko, too...

Though it wasn’t as often as they do with guys like McCann today.

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

by Jacob Peterson on Aug 13, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I remember when Klesko was going really well he got the shit on just about every time.

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by cbwilk on Aug 14, 2010 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions

You mean shift? Typo fail

"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones

by MBL1 on Aug 14, 2010 12:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

As much or less than a statue in New York?

by swainzy on Aug 14, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

McCann as everybody else has said...

Hinske off on and too…
Unless someone wants to correct me on that.

Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Colts, Hoyas, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
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by SuperNewb on Aug 13, 2010 10:35 PM EDT reply actions

We shift aginst Howard....

but who doesnt? Seems like we shift aginst Prince Fielder some as well. I’m sure there are more, but those are the first two who come to mind

by Shoert on Aug 13, 2010 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

Heap for sure.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Aug 14, 2010 1:43 AM EDT reply actions

Easily McCann

He’s notorious for blasting pull hits down the line, but the odd thing is that it has mostly been the Marlins (Fredi Gonzalez tenure) and the Nationals that have employed the shift on McCann, with only perhaps the Brewers being the only other team I’ve witnessed even bothering to try.

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

by royhobbs on Aug 14, 2010 2:42 AM EDT reply actions