Gamethread: Braves @ Padres, April 15, 2010 (9/162)

[braveswin95]

Atlanta
Diaz, LF
Prado, 2B
Jones, 3B
McCann, C
Glaus, 1B
Escobar, SS
Heyward, RF
McLouth, CD
Hudson, P

San Diego
Cabrera,SS
Hairston, 2B
Gonzalez, 1B
Blanks, LF
Headley, 3B
Venable, RF
Torrealba, C
Gwynn, CF
Latos, P


Braves are up 1-0 after Prado hit his first home run of the season.

Edit: Messed up on the date and put 14th instead of 15th.

[Dreamscape]

2 outs in the third inning, pair of runners on, and Kyle Blanks up.

[Hobbes]

Hudson got into more trouble by loading the bases after a couple of walks. Headley ripped a shot towards first that was luckily snagged by Glaus.

[Hobbes]

The Padres will apparently be having a David Eckstein bobble-head day.

Who the hell wants an Eckstein bobble-head?

[Hobbes]

Esco gets on and then steals second. Heyward rips a double into the gap to score the run.

[4maddux_cy's]

Eckstein has always been one of my favorite non braves so I'd take it.

[Hobbes]

McClouth is intentionally walked to get to Hudson, who grounds out to third to end the inning.

[Hobbes]

Hudson having trouble throwing strikes. The ump is calling a small zone, but Hudson isn't hitting his spots.

[Hobbes]

And he issues his 5th walk in 4 innings to load the bases with two outs.

[Hobbes]

And he gets a fly to Heyward to get escape trouble.

[Hobbes]

It's weird to hear Dick Enberg working a local Padres broadcast.

[Hobbes]

With two outs and Chipper on first McCann ropes a double into left-center to bring in Chipper. 3-0 Braves.

[BigWorm]

Just noticed everyone is wearing number 42. I thought BMAC might've changed his number so I went on braves.com and all players today are listed as number 42.

[Hobbes]

Just noticed everyone is wearing number 42. I thought BMAC might've changed his number so I went on braves.com and all players today are listed as number 42.

Yep, it's Jackie Robinson day.

For those not watching, both teams are wearing throwback unis.

[Hobbes]

Venable hits a solo shot to right. 3-1 Braves.

[Chris_Moderato]

Yep, it's Jackie Robinson day.

For those not watching, both teams are wearing throwback unis.

Not just throwbacks...those wonderful '80s baby-blue road unis. They are majestic.

Seeing Chipper in those things in like seeing a teenager in footy pajamas.

[Hobbes]

Padres tack on another run and it's 3-2 Braves.

[Chris_Moderato]

Let me ask the Diaz Superfans (and anyone else) a question...

Why is it we all practically ran Francoeur out of town for swinging at pitches headed for the bleachers, but very few people bat an eye when Matt Diaz takes a cut at every single pitch in every single at bat?

I just watched him swing at two pitches headed for the home dugout. What gives?

[CanadaBravesFan]

I dont know how much more Cabrera I can handle. Diaz has looked brutal and at least on the bright side McLouth was on twice. If Jordan gets his wrist healthy, he may have a spot

[Wahoo]

Let me ask the Diaz Superfans (and anyone else) a question...

Why is it we all practically ran Francoeur out of town for swinging at pitches headed for the bleachers, but very few people bat an eye when Matt Diaz takes a cut at every single pitch in every single at bat?

I just watched him swing at two pitches headed for the home dugout. What gives?

I think it's generally because he's shown the ability to hit enough that his OBP is marginal enough that people don't care. Personally, I wonder if he can actually do that over the course of the full season. Of course, if he keeps this up, may not a get a chance this year.

[Hobbes]

Heyward continues to rake, and the Braves now lead 5-2.

[Hobbes]

Hinske drives in Heyward and it's 6-2 Braves.

[Hobbes]

Another solid inning for Saito and we head to the 9th with the Braves still up 6-2.

[Chris_Moderato]

I think it's generally because he's shown the ability to hit enough that his OBP is marginal enough that people don't care. Personally, I wonder if he can actually do that over the course of the full season. Of course, if he keeps this up, may not a get a chance this year.

I'm probably just jealous, because I'm fairly certain I could do the exact same thing he does, occasionally hit a couple into the outfield, maybe a handful of home runs, swing at every pitch, and take one or two walks a season. (And I catch the ball with both hands.)

[Hobbes]

Wagner in to finish it out.

[Hobbes]

And he does so. Braves win!

[Freddy_Ballgame]

On the Diaz front, why does the dude slide so much in the outfield? Does he know style points don't really count?

[Andy G.]

Let me ask the Diaz Superfans (and anyone else) a question...

Why is it we all practically ran Francoeur out of town for swinging at pitches headed for the bleachers, but very few people bat an eye when Matt Diaz takes a cut at every single pitch in every single at bat?

I just watched him swing at two pitches headed for the home dugout. What gives?
If he hadn't posted an IsoOBP of a .076 last year, which was the only time he saw anything close to consistent at bats in the major leagues, I would probably mention it more often. Also, in his minor league career he hit .313 with a .360 OBP. That's the exact same batting average he had last year, but his OBP was .390.

I see Diaz as a .300/.350/.460 player, and I don't doubt that he will outperform those numbers for the next couple of seasons. Diaz happens to be an extremely streaky hitter, so I'm not worrying too much about the way he looks right now.

[Chris_Moderato]

If he hadn't posted an IsoOBP of a .076 last year, which was the only time he saw anything close to consistent at bats in the major leagues, I would probably mention it more often. Also, in his minor league career he hit .313 with a .360 OBP. That's the exact same batting average he had last year, but his OBP was .390.

I see Diaz as a .300/.350/.460 player, and I don't doubt that he will outperform those numbers for the next couple of seasons. Diaz happens to be an extremely streaky hitter, so I'm not worrying too much about the way he looks right now.

I've cut him slack last season precisely because of the IsoOBP number, although that's a pretty average number it must be said.

Listen, I like the guy as a story. I like the whole "scrap heap to starting lineup" thing going on there. I appreciate his humility about being a Major League player. Additionally, he seems like an alright dude.

Still, I've never been particularly impressed with him as a player, I don't think he should be doing much but pinch-hitting and occasionally spelling a corner outfielder, and the fact that it is "okay" for him to swing at 99% of the pitches he sees, but it wasn't okay for Frenchy, kind of bugs me a little.

[Chris_Moderato]

This is not to take away from the fact that we came back from a pounding on Monday to take the series. I'm happy about that.

Go Braves.

[Andy G.]

Still, I've never been particularly impressed with him as a player, I don't think he should be doing much but pinch-hitting and occasionally spelling a corner outfielder, and the fact that it is "okay" for him to swing at 99% of the pitches he sees, but it wasn't okay for Frenchy, kind of bugs me a little.
Well, your beef really isn't with me as far as Francoeur not getting the same treatment. I gave him as much slack as anyone.

Still, Francoeur never posted an OBP above .338 for the Braves. Aside from '08, Diaz has never had OBP lower than .368 with the Braves. Francoeur's highest OPS with us was .782, Diaz hasn't had an OPS below .839 (again, that's not including his '08 season).

It doesn't really matter how Diaz gets it done to me. Eventually, we have to acknowledge that what he does works, and it works pretty well. Diaz doesn't hit .260, he hits above .300. League average OBP is usually between .330 and .340, Diaz gets on base better than the average player. Whether that's because he gets a lot of hits or because he takes a lot of walks, he's on base and gives the guys behind him a chance to drive him in.

Also, I don't know what the average IsoOBP is, but I'm fairly confident that .076 is easily higher than average.

[bravos4evr]

Not just throwbacks...those wonderful '80s baby-blue road unis. They are majestic.

Seeing Chipper in those things in like seeing a teenager in footy pajamas.



Post of the year.... anythiang that says Chipper and Footy Jammies in the same sentence is mudda fudgin post of the year!!! Kudo's to you sir!!!

[Chris_Moderato]

Well, your beef really isn't with me as far as Francoeur not getting the same treatment. I gave him as much slack as anyone.

Still, Francoeur never posted an OBP above .338 for the Braves. Aside from '08, Diaz has never had OBP lower than .368 with the Braves. Francoeur's highest OPS with us was .782, Diaz hasn't had an OPS below .839 (again, that's not including his '08 season).

It doesn't really matter how Diaz gets it done to me. Eventually, we have to acknowledge that what he does works, and it works pretty well. Diaz doesn't hit .260, he hits above .300. League average OBP is usually between .330 and .340, Diaz gets on base better than the average player. Whether that's because he gets a lot of hits or because he takes a lot of walks, he's on base and gives the guys behind him a chance to drive him in.

Also, I don't know what the average IsoOBP is, but I'm fairly confident that .076 is easily higher than average.

I'd always thought of .075 as more or less average, but I'd defer to those with more knowledge on the subject.

It's probably just a personal preference thing, as far as Diaz goes. It just seems amateurish to me to see a major league hitter go up and swing at every pitch he sees.

Diaz has managed to find some success at the major league level. Whether that's because or in spite of his approach at the plate, I don't know. Again, like I said, it's just a personal irritation to Chris, the baseball fan.

(Mostly because I'm thinking, "Dammit, I could do that. Why not meeeeeee?")

[Agent-X-]

I'd always thought of .075 as more or less average, but I'd defer to those with more knowledge on the subject.

It's probably just a personal preference thing, as far as Diaz goes. It just seems amateurish to me to see a major league hitter go up and swing at every pitch he sees.

Diaz has managed to find some success at the major league level. Whether that's because or in spite of his approach at the plate, I don't know. Again, like I said, it's just a personal irritation to Chris, the baseball fan.

(Mostly because I'm thinking, "Dammit, I could do that. Why not meeeeeee?")

I'm sorry Chris, but your argument against Diaz seems a little petty. It's difficult, as Andy established above, to argue with Diaz's production. While he might be swinging at everything right now--and what Braves hitter isn't at this point :banghead:--you can't look past the numbers. He gets base hits and draws a fair amount of walks. He even has decent power. What more could you expect?

Any comparison to Francoeur stops at swinging. If Francoeur could produce like Diaz, he'd be considered a budding star. How's that for fair?

[Lauren T.]

Chris, I'm seeing your signature pic in 3D! Is that my work laptop's screen protector magic, my migraine meds playing games, or has it always been 3D and I didn't notice? I haven't noticed a lot of things in the past few months.

The pics of the uniforms from yesterday are fab. I put a few up (with commentary, of course) on my blog. The Baby Blues might be my favorite, because those are the first I really remember the Braves wearing.

[Chris_Moderato]

I'm sorry Chris, but your argument against Diaz seems a little petty. It's difficult, as Andy established above, to argue with Diaz's production. While he might be swinging at everything right now--and what Braves hitter isn't at this point :banghead:--you can't look past the numbers. He gets base hits and draws a fair amount of walks. He even has decent power. What more could you expect?

Any comparison to Francoeur stops at swinging. If Francoeur could produce like Diaz, he'd be considered a budding star. How's that for fair?

I found this obscure analysis (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6725&p=156473&viewfull=1#post156473) online that might assist in my attempt to explain why I'm not enamored with Diaz's approach at the plate.

[KB 34]

I'm sorry Chris, but your argument against Diaz seems a little petty. It's difficult, as Andy established above, to argue with Diaz's production. While he might be swinging at everything right now--and what Braves hitter isn't at this point :banghead:--you can't look past the numbers. He gets base hits and draws a fair amount of walks. He even has decent power. What more could you expect?

Any comparison to Francoeur stops at swinging. If Francoeur could produce like Diaz, he'd be considered a budding star. How's that for fair?
Matt Diaz is 32 years old and not likely to improve much. Francoeur was in his early 20's and likely to improve if he had a brain worth a lick.

[-Dr. Brave-]

Not just throwbacks...those wonderful '80s baby-blue road unis. They are majestic.

Seeing Chipper in those things in like seeing a teenager in footy pajamas.

Instead of giving Mike Dunn the Joey Devine treatment, I wish we could have signed Terry Forster to a one-day contract.

What a sight that would have been... Forster wearing the throwback jersey and oversized footy pajamas, with a pair of Bugs Bunny rabbit ears on top.

[Andy G.]

I'd always thought of .075 as more or less average, but I'd defer to those with more knowledge on the subject.

It's probably just a personal preference thing, as far as Diaz goes. It just seems amateurish to me to see a major league hitter go up and swing at every pitch he sees.

Diaz has managed to find some success at the major league level. Whether that's because or in spite of his approach at the plate, I don't know. Again, like I said, it's just a personal irritation to Chris, the baseball fan.

(Mostly because I'm thinking, "Dammit, I could do that. Why not meeeeeee?")
I wanted to know if that really was an average or above average number, and I did a little searching to find a league average IsoOBP number with no luck. Then I realized that all I had to do was look at BB% to figure out if he had above average patience last year or not. Turns out you were right, he was pretty much average, actually even a touch below.

Fangraphs is awesome. (http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=1771&position=OF&page=3&type=full)