Atlanta Braves Making The Team Meter 2011: Hitters, Week 2

by gondeee on Mar 4, 2011 8:31 AM EST

The Atlanta Braves Making the Team Meter (MTM) for the hitters enters its second week. Not much change from last week, only Lucas is really standing out at this point.

We'll assume that there is a group that has already made the team, a pretty safe assumption with these guys:

Starters: Brian McCann, Dan Uggla, Alex Gonzalez, Chipper Jones, Martin Prado, Nate McLouth, and Jason Heyward (1 spot available, first base)
Reserves: Eric Hinske and David Ross (3 spots available)

The second assumption we'll make is that the five additional catchers in camp will not be making the team, nor do they have a chance to make the team unless McCann or Ross get injured. So we won't list them on the MTM.

Player, Position	This Week's Trend	Last Week	Notes and Comments
Brooks Conrad, IF			Already one error in 17 chances this spring. Just one hit in 12 at-bats, with four strikeouts. This is why he's on here folks. He continues this and he may not make the team.
Freddie Freeman, 1B			He's been on fire. Actually, he looks ready to start the season, and he exudes a similar polish to his game that Jason Heyward did last year.
Diory Hernandez, IF			Just playin his role as backup, doin his thang. He's the no frills backup option.
Brandon Hicks			He's played mainly third base, and made one error in seven chances. He's plodding along just like Diory. Neither of these guys have really separated themselves, nor has either one taken himself out of the running.
Joe Mather, IF/OF			He's proven to be a free swinger, and in the field he's played both infield and outfield corners, so he's showing his flexibility as well.
Jordan Schafer, OF			Not really standing out too much yet. With Nate McLouth doing really good, the Schafer talk has subsided a bit.
Matt Young, OF			Staying in the running for a backup job. He's played some outfield and some second base, so that's good flexibility.
Shawn Bowman, IF			He's gotten a good amount of playing time, though with Chipper now playing the field that should go down some. I've actually likes what I've seen from Bowman.
Mycal Jones, IF/OF			He hasn't gotten into many games, but when he has he's been playing the outfield.
Ed Lucas, IF			Hasn't gotten into many games, but when he has he's made it count. Second on the team in hits (5) in only seven at-bats. He's also played short, second, and third in the field. He's challenging Diory and Hicks for the backup infield job. I'm moving him up a notch to make the team.
Tyler Pastornicky, SS			He's almost Matt Young sized he so small. Not a lot of action so far.
Brent Clevlen, OF			I hardly noticed, but yeah, he's gotten into a handful of games. No frills.
Jose Constanza, OF			The Mets announcers really loved his name. Shown good speed so far.
Wilkin Ramirez, OF			Stroking the ball extremely well this spring (4-for-5), and doing it rather quietly.
Wilkin Castillo, C/IF/OF			He's only gotten into two games at catcher, so he may not be in the running for much of a job.

Arrow Key:
= Chance of making the team is good.
= Chance of making the team is bad.
= Chance of making the team is slightly better than 50-50.
= Chance of making the team is slightly worse than 50-50.

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Comments

Freeman’s a lock now barring injury and or a McClouthian 2010 spring slump.

I think Lucas may be ahead of Conrad now.

Last spot is coming down to Mather or Matt Young, I like Matt Young- but Mather has more flexibility, though Young is the better CFer, which counts if Lucas makes it.

My picks for last two spots would be Lucas and Mather personally. Matt Young to come up when/if Chipper gets DL’ed. Schaefer only comes up if someone has a season-ender early in the year , otherwise give him a year at AAA and call him up in September.

by Broccoman on Mar 4, 2011 8:40 AM EST reply actions

i don't think lucas has anything to do with conrad

Lucas can play short stop and we need a back up short stop with or without Conrad

Am I wrong?

If Mather can play CF, the two of them can cover every position on the diamond besides pitcher and catcher

if we take those 2, Conrad could be another bat off the bench

by willlinn on Mar 4, 2011 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

Conrad would force either Prado to be the backup SS, or force Diory/Lucas/Mather onto the roster.

I’d rather have the defensive flexibility- especially since we have Hinske for a PH bat.

by Broccoman on Mar 4, 2011 9:57 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I don’t see Conrad making the team.

If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02

by king of games on Mar 4, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

which is a shame since he was so clutch for us last year

by suicide bunting is a sin on Mar 4, 2011 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

He was also so terrible last year too

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 Mar 4, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I’m saying Conrad shouldn’t make the team, but he’s got a good bat and would be good somewhere- just not sure it’s here.

by Broccoman on Mar 4, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

It’s not like he couldn’t be called up sometime during the season. Just not worth a bench spot straight out of the gate.

If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02

by king of games on Mar 4, 2011 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

Let’s hope you are right.

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 Mar 4, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed king of games

Yeah does he have any opt’s left ? Such as can he be sent to AAA ? I have no clue LOL but if Ed. Lucas keeps taking mini-step to seperate himself from Diory and Brooks then he has to make the squad.

Schafter or Matt Young is a toss up, Schafer is whom I would go with just b.c. I would like to see what M. Young can do in the minors for one more season. Still with Mather and Hinske already on the club is their really a need to carry Schafer on the active roster ?

Go Braves get us to opening day please this team is looking better and better with each coming day.

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Mar 4, 2011 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Still

Rooting for Schafer to steal McLouth’s job.

Love the new arrows by the way

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 4, 2011 9:01 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Why? McLouth looks awesome right now (and going back to the end of last season).

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 Mar 4, 2011 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

Actually ended the season on a nasty slide, and this spring is way too SSS to make anything of it yet

How do I feel? Like f**king success - Jordan Schafer

We had the midget mafia over at second base: Me, Uggla and Conrad - Matt Young

by ATLandUNC on Mar 4, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

He ended last season by posting a .273 .359 .527 .887 in September with 6 XBH in 65 PAs, including 4 hits and 4 BB in his last 15 PAs – so, I guess what I am saying is that I am not seeing any nasty slide to end the season for Nate.

Instead, I see hints of resurgency.

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 Mar 4, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

And a couple legitimately robbed HRs.

If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02

by king of games on Mar 4, 2011 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by Braves24 on Mar 4, 2011 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

He

Also looked awesome in Pittsburgh… But what everyone overlooks is that before his “All-Star” year (and I use that term so loosely) he was a career 4th OF. Schafer is 1,000,000x better defensively, faster on the basepaths and will make better contact witht the bat over 162 game season. I stand by Schafer

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 4, 2011 11:34 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

If McLouth can get back to his career norm this season, there is no way Schafer can out-produce him.

Logan is the better defender, by far, but currently, McLouth is the better offensive option.

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 Mar 4, 2011 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

McLouth

Had 2 seasons only where he had more than 400 ABs in PIT. I think it’s obvious that he can’t reach his career averages playing everyday. Plus his average is skewed by his “All-Star” year. He’s a 4th OF… Schafer is good but needs more than a week in the Majors without a broken wrist to prove it

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 4, 2011 11:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

He’s only been in the league six years and three of those were above average years and his first was only a 41 game stint. His full rookie season wasn’t spectacular, but was ok. He’s only 29, just hitting his prime, and there’s no reson to think he can’t put up above average numbers again. Yyour hatred for him is unwarranted and a bit creepy. Did he sleep with your wife or something?

If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02

by king of games on Mar 4, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

Wow

Hatred? Wow… And then you attack me personally just because I’m not a McLouth believer? Wow… Wow… Hey thanks

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 4, 2011 12:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

He doesnt seem to hate McLouth as much as he is pro-Logan

Nothing wrong with that.

"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"

"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."

by Doghnut on Mar 6, 2011 8:56 PM EST up reply actions

"will make better contact witht the bat over 162 game season"

boy, i’d take that bet today, yesterday, and tomorrow.

Bubba Sparxxx: It's gettin' Uggla...IN HERE! UP IN HERE!

by ryan c on Mar 4, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

In 679 PAs prior to his All Star season, he posted a line of: .247 .325 .426 .751 – not spectacular, but certainly not 4th OF material.

He has only 2 seasons with an OPS less than .750 – his rookie year and last season.

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 Mar 4, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

Wasn’t sure where exactly to weigh in on this topic, so I’ll post here at the bottom.

Nate does a few things well, (not including anything defensively) but nothing great. He has decent power and decent speed, can get on base at a decent rate, but a career .252 average is not very good. His ceiling is .276 and that appears to be an aberration. Based on career numbers, we can expect .255-.260 unless he’s fixed his swing and has a career year. From his time with the Braves he’s shown an all-or-nothing swing. If he can get back to hitting line drives instead of upper-cutting every swing then maybe he won’t have such a bad season. His ST thus far has some of us optimistic but he’ll have to prove it against ML pitchers in games that count. He’s not a 4th OF but not exactly who you want in CF with his defensive mindset, we just have no better options until Schafer is ready to hit ML pitching. I’d compare him to something like the 6th man in basketball(but still a starter in baseball); not who you want on the floor in crunch time, but an everyday player who does a few things well enough to deserve steady playing time.

by CMassey on Mar 4, 2011 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

The 6th man analogy sums up pretty well how I feel about Nate

"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"

"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."

by Doghnut on Mar 6, 2011 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

i wonder if mather will be able to make up for the production we had from diaz years ago

by suicide bunting is a sin on Mar 4, 2011 9:04 AM EST reply actions

I didn’t read the game thread yesterday, so this may have been covered, but did anyone else think Joe Mather eerily resembles Francouer? I had to do a double take a couple of times.

Coming soon: winningugly visits Atlanta, takes dump in royhobbs’ Braves hat.

by 10-4 on Mar 4, 2011 9:06 AM EST reply actions

Was he swinging at the 56-footer?

by TBuzz on Mar 4, 2011 9:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

i just meant face-wise.

Coming soon: winningugly visits Atlanta, takes dump in royhobbs’ Braves hat.

by 10-4 on Mar 4, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

They

Have made comparisons to Frenchy all spring. They also say he’s somewhat Werthian too… Maybe a hybrid of both, like a caveman swinging a wet noodle…

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Mar 4, 2011 9:30 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

+1

I LOL’ed.

by gondeee on Mar 4, 2011 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

When I saw him playing first base

I thought…didn’t Freeman leave the game??

The dudes big. I don’t know about Frenchy, he might look like him at the plate as I missed his at bat, but in the field that was the impression I got.

by garlick on Mar 4, 2011 9:31 AM EST up reply actions

Love to see all the love for Lucas

the longest writeup was rightfully about him.

He has been great, and in the clutch. Looks like he is getting time at SS, because that’s really what would make him valuable.

by willlinn on Mar 4, 2011 9:22 AM EST reply actions

I like Lucas to win one of those spots...

I have mixed feelings about Mather. It’s just that sometimes he does things that are good… and then he will do something that makes me say what the hell. I also am liking what we have seen from Wilkin Ramirez. Maybe he has straightened out his issues and can be our left fielder when Prado moves to third.

by UpstateNyBravesFan on Mar 4, 2011 9:50 AM EST reply actions

It looks like I undercounted spots. Lucas/Mather/Young would be the three I’d want.

Schaefer should be given a chance to win the job, and Conrad should be given time at AAA to cure his defensive woes, or get traded to the AL to a team that needs a DH.

by Broccoman on Mar 4, 2011 9:59 AM EST reply actions

One week in, I’m leaning towards the bench being Ross, Hinske, Mather, Lucas, Young. Strange thing is, most of the starters are younger than that bench.

"It's like winning a war...you need arms and money." Fredi G

by bighop on Mar 4, 2011 11:00 AM EST reply actions

I don't think I can agree with some of the arrows given here.

As the post correctly mentions, there are three bench spots available. One of these three will go to a backup shortstop, we have to have one, and Prado just isn’t a shortstop, and the days when we could use Chipper as the emergency shortstop are long gone. That means one of the three spots goes to one of Diory Hernandez, Brandon Hicks, or Ed Lucas. That leaves two spots left. One of those spots will go to someone who can play centerfield, most likely either Matt Young or Jordan Schafer, although Constanza I guess could sneak in there. That leaves one spot left for someone else, likely either Mather or Conrad. Since Conrad has options and Mather doesn’t, Mather is the huge favorite here, if we break camp with Mather, Conrad can come up when an injury arises; if we break camp with Conrad, Mather can’t come up when an injury arises because we’ll lose him on waivers.

Therefore, I don’t see how both Mather and Conrad have a greater than 50/50 shot of making the team. Honestly, I would peg Conrad’s shot at less than 50/50. Unless of course, we are considering the possibilities of spring injuries, in which case both could make the team, but I don’t think that is factoring into the calculus here.

by cavebird on Mar 4, 2011 11:29 AM EST reply actions

Mather has serious defensive versatility- like Infante.

Conrad is a DH. He’s gotta be a better bat then at least one team’s DH in the AL, right? Wasn’t Kotsay a DH last year?

by Broccoman on Mar 4, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

Conrad is only a situational hitter

When given long stretches of AB’s he proves he’s not an everyday hitter. I like the guy but he should be used as a late inning PH.

by CMassey on Mar 4, 2011 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

If the bench goes Ross, Hinske, Lucas, Mather, and Conrad, the Braves will have to get really creative with backups to SS and CF in emergency situations. In my opinion, this bench is completely fine. Lucas has lots of time in at SS and has played sparingly in CF. Mather has played all over the outfield and probably has decent enough range to stand in for McLouth (and, sadly, might actually be a better option out there). Neither are ideal candidates to serves as backups to those positions, but are probably the best candidates to bolster this teams needs. Fredi, like Bobby, uses his bench often, and I could easily see 2-3 of these guys being used daily.

Bubba Sparxxx: It's gettin' Uggla...IN HERE! UP IN HERE!

by ryan c on Mar 4, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

It’s been said by Fredi that Heyward can play center. We’ll have to see if Lucas gets more time at short, but he should be a fine backup shortstop. If Gonzo were to go down we might want someone like Diory to be brought up short term. None of our backup shortstop options are long term options, but they’re fine for a game or two each month, or for a 15-day DL stint. Pastornicky’s emergence could give way to him being the defensive-minded replacement late in the year.

by gondeee on Mar 4, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

Brooks Conrad isn't going to make the team.

How does he still have a green arrow?

"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel

by Scott Coleman on Mar 4, 2011 12:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I think he will, and not necessarily because he deserves it, but because the Braves will show respect to him for his great regular season work last year and not let him dwell on his postseason struggles. Breaking camp with him on the 25-man will do a lot of good for him and the club.

Bubba Sparxxx: It's gettin' Uggla...IN HERE! UP IN HERE!

by ryan c on Mar 4, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

Giving away a bench spot based on respect for a decent previous season is not the way to win a championship.

If we can land [Stephen Drew], I will give FW a bj.
~justincredubil02

by king of games on Mar 4, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

Breaking camp with him on the 25 in no way can do good for the club.

I couldn’t care less about his confidence at this point. He’s shown that he is the same player that he always has been – streaky at the plate, terrible in the field.

The Braves will not make a decision on a contending club just to say “Thank you for those two HRs, Brooksie”. If they can let Glavine go as ugly as they did, they certainly don’t owe anything to Brooks Conrad.

I will be very unhappy if he makes the team. He doesn’t deserve it. He brings nothing to the table except a limited bat off the bench – which is something that we already have in Hinske, Mather and Ross. Conrad’s value-added is nil.

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 Mar 4, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

For what purpose?

A semi-occasional pinch hitter two or three times a week? He can’t play shortstop or third with any decency, and he’s not an outfielder. If he makes the team, it means we don’t have a legit backup center fielder or shortstop.

"That guy mvhsbball is really an insufferable schmuck." - FuquaManuel

by Scott Coleman on Mar 4, 2011 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

I think he will. His proven ability as a pinch hitter is huge.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Mar 4, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

"Breaking camp with him on the 25 in no way can do good for the club."

Well, I disagree. He’s a clubhouse favorite, had an .811 ops last season, and would be the only switch hitter coming off the bench. With Fredi, who, like Bobby, is a matchup man, that last point holds a lot of weight. He was the 2nd most valuable bench player on the team last year.

Bubba Sparxxx: It's gettin' Uggla...IN HERE! UP IN HERE!

by ryan c on Mar 4, 2011 12:40 PM EST reply actions

and let me play devil's advocate here for a minute...

personnel-wise, many other people make more sense than Conrad. It doesn’t change the fact that he was one of the most clutch players in the Majors last year and played a major role in the Braves’ playoff run (and unfortunally, their playoff departure).

However, the fact remains that he’s well-liked (especially by Chipper) and it seems as though this team puts more weight into clubhouse chemistry than others. To say he’s not going to make this team with certainty is just not a valid assumption.

Bubba Sparxxx: It's gettin' Uggla...IN HERE! UP IN HERE!

by ryan c on Mar 4, 2011 12:51 PM EST up reply actions

But to say that he SHOULDN’T make the team is quite a valid assumption.

Again, it doesn’t matter how much he is liked in the clubhouse, or how nice of a guy he is. The Braves unceremoniously cut Glavine – one of the greatest pitchers to ever wear the “A”.

If they can do that to Tommy after all of the outstanding seasons he gave them, surely, they can do that to Brooks Conrad after 6 or 7 hits in one season.

As far as him being “clutch” goes, we all know that is not a repeatable skill. If we keep him on the team just because he will get that hit in the 9th, we are merely hoping to catch lightning in a bottle – twice in a row. He wasn’t “clutch” in 2009 when he went 0-the-second-half.

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 Mar 4, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions