When I did all of those roster guide blogs earlier this season I didn’t realize how many of the non-25 man roster guys we would soon be seeing in Atlanta. Due to the extra inning games and a rash of recent injuries, the roster moves have been coming fast and furious. It’s been chaotic and a little hard to keep up with. We’re now 51 games in so I thought I would do a few roster guide update entries. This first one will cover the 17 position players who have appeared in a game for Atlanta so far this season.
Brian McCann (C-DH; 46 games; 42 starts)
Status: Starting catcher
Season Grade: B-
Batting: .274/.340/.393/.733, 4 homers, 25 RBI.
RISP: 15 for 41 (.366).
RISP with 2 out: 9 for 19 (.474).
Fielding: 2 errors, 3 PB, 28% CS.
Notes: Mac has not been as patient at the plate as he was last year, and as a result, he’s not getting on base as often. While his stroke appears to be coming back, his power numbers are way down, as he’s slugging just .393 and is on pace for 9 homers. He has been perhaps the team’s most clutch player this season, posting outstanding numbers in RISP situations. He’s driven in 25 runs. Last week he basically beat Houston single handedly with a 2 out, 2 strike, game tying homer as a pinch hitter in the 9th, and then the game winning homer in the 11th. Defensively Mac has had some issues as a backstop. On the other hand, he has been very solid with his throws against base stealers.
David Ross (C-DH; 12 games; 10 starts)
Status: Backup catcher
Season Grade: A
Batting: 11 for 36 (.306/.359/.583/.942), 3 homers, 9 RBI.
RISP: 4 for 8.
Fielding: Zero errors, 1 PB, 3 CS out of 5 attempts.
Notes: Rossy hasn’t played much but when he’s been in the lineup he’s been about as good as you could ask for. The Braves have to sit one of their best players (Mac) at least once a week, but they haven’t lost anything with Ross filling in. He’s been clutch at the plate and excellent defensively. He’s a great teammate and a fun guy to root for.
JC Boscan (C; 1 game; 0 starts)
Status: AAA
Season Grade: NA
Notes: Boscan was up for a week very early in the year. Not needing a 5th starter for a while and with Jair Jurrjens due to come off the DL in a week, the Braves brought up a 3rd catcher to allow Ross to be used more as a regular bench player without fear of being caught without a catcher. Boscan only got into 1 game with Atlanta and struck out in his only plate appearance. Boscan hasn’t exactly been tearing it up back at AAA either. He’s 11 for 53 at the plate (.208/.333/.245/.579) with no homers and 2 RBI. He’s also committed 3 errors and allowed 4 PB at catcher. He has no value other than the fact that he can play the catching position. Barring an injury to Mac or Ross, we will not see JC again (at least until September).
Freddie Freeman (1B; 49 games; 46 starts)
Status: Starting first baseman
Season Grade: B-
Batting: .247/.328/.373/.702, 4 homers, 20 BB, 39 K.
Vs. LH: 12 for 47 (.255/.333/.468/.801), 3 homers.
RISP: 6 for 37 (.162).
RISP with 2 out: 2 for 16 (.125).
Fielding: 2 errors.
Notes: Free has basically been exactly who I thought he would be during his rookie season. He’s been excellent defensively, particularly making digs and stretches on throws to first. He’s also terrific making throws to 2nd or home. Offensively I’ve still got some concerns. He’s walked a little bit more than I thought he would, but he’s also fanned more than I thought he would. I’m still not sure how well that half-uppercut swing is going to work. It’s kind of strange because he’s not a slugger but he’s not really a gap-power guy either. He seems to be a line drive hitter who usually pulls the ball. That could mean a lot of ground outs to the right side and balls caught at the track. The only time he really annoyed me was when he got thrown out at second on a ball hit off the wall. Other than that he’s been great in terms of effort.
Dan Uggla (2B; 51 games; 50 starts)
Status: Starting second baseman I guess
Season Grade: D-
Batting: .180/.250/.335/.585, 7 homers, 17 BB, 43 K.
RISP: 6 for 47 (.128).
RISP with 2 out: 3 for 31 (.097)
Vs. LH: 6 for 51 (.118/.211/.157/.367), 0 homers.
Fielding: 4 errors.
Notes: Let’s face it: Uggla’s been worse than even the most pessimistic fans could have predicted. The only thing that keeps me from giving him an F-grade is the fact that he’s had a knack for hitting timely homers. I mean he’s had some big time homers. 5 of his 7 dingers have come in the 8th or 9th inning. But other than that he’s been terrible. He’s not a talented fielder, and I knew that coming in, but I didn’t realize how bad his lack of focus was. He makes more mental errors in the field than physical. The same is true on the base paths. At the plate he’s been a disaster. He needs to walk way more and make contact much more frequently. Some of those numbers are just horrible. Uggla is truly a one-trick pony, even when he’s at his best. When that trick isn’t working, he’s a zero (or worse).
Alex Gonzalez (SS; 50 games; 48 starts)
Status: Starting shortstop
Season Grade: C+
Batting: .268/.298/.400/.698, 5 homers, 8 BB, 38 K.
RISP with 2 out: 0 for 16, BB, 4 K (BB was IBB).
Fielding: 3 errors.
Notes: While the .298 OBP and 8-38 BB-K ratio are really, really awful, it’s hard to complain because that’s just who A-Gon is. He’s actually having a great season, but he’s a C-grade player. That might sound like a serious dis, but it isn’t meant to be. I love having A-Gon instead of Escobar. A-Gon has been brilliant defensively, and you never have to wonder whether or not he cares. But he’s going to strike out on 3 breakers in the dirt with a guy on 3rd and 1 out sometimes. You just have to take the good with the bad.
Chipper Jones (3B-DH; 46 games; 44 starts)
Status: Starting third baseman
Season Grade: B
Batting: .262/.347/.436/.783, 16 doubles, 1 triple, 4 homers, 28 RBI, 23 BB, 29 K.
Vs. RH: .223/.307.
RISP: 15 for 38 (.395).
RISP with 2 out: 4 for 12 (.333).
Fielding: 3 errors
Notes: To be honest, my expectations for CJ weren’t all that high this season, and that’s why a gave him a B-grade despite what are (for him) below average numbers. Going into the year we were all worried (naturally) about his knee. The knee’s been okay, but his hands and instincts are finally starting to fade. At the plate, he’s getting beat on pitches that he used to handle. At third, balls he once got to are by him before he can even start to move. However, he’s been out there almost every day, and he’s still been a better than average player. Again, that might sound like a dis, but it isn’t meant to be. Chipper Jones is one of the 5 most underappreciated athletes in Atlanta history, and that’s saying a ton, considering that Atlanta is at the bottom of any list concerning appreciation for athletes (in case anyone’s wondering, the other 4 on the most underappreciated list are Jessie Tuggle, Terance Mathis, Andruw Jones, and Dominique Wilkins). He’s so much better than Dale Murphy it’s not even funny, and yet Dale Murphy is worshiped in Atlanta because he like goes to church and stuff. Chipper is the greatest position player in Atlanta Braves history, but you really wouldn’t think so based on the attitude of a lot of “fans.” Please notice that I specified “position player” and “Atlanta.” I’m not saying he’s had a better career than Spahn or Bad Henry or Mad Dog. I’m saying position player for the Atlanta Braves.
Eric Hinske (LF-RF-1B; 37 games; 17 starts)
Status: Starting in right field while Heyward is out
Season Grade: A
Batting: 28 for 84 (.333/.360/.548/.907), 5 homers, 4 BB, 24 K.
Vs. LH: 3 for 13, homer.
PH: 5 for 18, 2 homers, 4 RBI.
RISP: 5 for 24 (.208).
RISP with 2 out: 2 for 10, 1 BB, 6 K.
Fielding: 2 outfield assists, no errors.
Notes: I love this guy. How many big insurance runs has he produced in the last couple of years? He almost always produces when called upon.
Brooks Conrad (1B-2B-3B; 28 games; 2 starts)
Status: Pinch hitter
Season Grade: C
Batting: 4 for 24 (.167/.323/.333/.656), 1 double, 1 homer, 5 RBI, 6 BB, 9 K, 1 SH, 1 SF.
Vs. LH: 0 for 5, 2 BB, 3K.
PH: 4 for 19, 1 homer, 4 RBI, 1 double, 4 BB, 8 K, SH, .348 OBP.
RISP: 1 for 8.
RISP with 2 out: 0 for 3.
Notes: Brooksy hasn’t had many opportunities but the magic returned this week with his extra inning blast against the Bucs.
Diory Hernandez (SS-3B; 8 games; 1 start)
Status: Backup shortstop
Season Grade: NA
Batting: 2 for 13, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 SH.
PH: 1 for 5, 1 RBI, 1 K.
Fielding: 1 error.
Notes: Hernandez was left off the opening day roster but was called up earlier this month. At AAA, Hernandez went 23 for 89 to hit .258/.287/.416/.703 with 3 homers, 1 SB in 3 tries, just 3 BB, 18 K, and 3 GDP. He’d also already made 4 errors in the field.
Brandon Hicks (SS-3B; 12 games; 2 starts)
Status: AAA
Season Grade: NA
Notes: Hicks made the club out of spring training. It was a bit of a surprise, as most had assumed that Diory Hernandez would make it as the backup shortstop. He was sent down in early May when the Braves needed to bring up Julio Teheran for a spot start. Teheran was sent back down the next day, but instead of Hicks, Hernandez was called up. While with Atlanta Hicks went 1 for 10 with 1 RBI, 1 BB, and 3 K. He was 1 for 6 with 1 RBI and 2 K as a pinch hitter. He committed 1 error in the field. Since getting sent to AAA Hicks gone 15 for 64 to hit .234/.300/.484/.784 with 4 homers, just 6 walks, and 25 K. He has made 3 errors at short.
Martin Prado (3B-LF; 51 games; 50 starts)
Status: Starting leftfielder
Season Grade: B-
Batting: 285/.325/.430/.755, 13 doubles, 6 homers, 29 runs, 29 RBI, 1 SB in 5 attempts, 14 BB, 28 K, 10 GDP, 1 SH, 3 SF.
RISP: 14 for 39 (.359).
RISP with 2 out: 6 for 18 (.333).
Fielding: 2 outfield assists, 3 errors.
Notes: You gotta love Tino. I worry that he won’t be able to stay healthy but he’s a great hitter and so much fun to root for. It would be nice if he didn’t have to hit leadoff but right now he’s the best option. I say that because he’s not really a work the count and get on base guy. He’s going to have quick at bats and 0 for 5 nights because he likes to ambush pitchers and he’s a line drive guy. But he’s pretty much a guaranteed .300 hitter and you can’t complain about that. Plus, you know he’s going to give everything at all times. And by the way, he’s been pretty damn good in left field.
Nate McLouth (CF; 48 games; 47 starts)
Status: On DL with a strained left oblique
Season Grade: C
Batting: .238/.332/.341/.673, 3 homers, 1 SB in 3 attempts, 21 BB, 33 K, 7 SH.
Vs. LH: 9 for 48 (.188/.278/.229/.507).
As #8 hitter: 20 for 64 (.313/.443/.484/.927), 5 doubles, 2 homers, 15 BB, 10 K.
RISP: 8 for 25 (.320).
RISP with 2 out: 3 for 14 (.214).
Fielding: 1 error
Notes: Nate’s injury was particularly abusive because he honestly was starting to play better all-around. I really don’t know where the power and base stealing abilities that he showed in Pittsburgh went to, but at least he was having solid at bats and playing decent defense before the injury. Oblique’s are tricky. Hopefully he’ll be able to come back in a few weeks and pick up where he left off, because to be honest, we don’t have any other options in center field. Or at least that’s the way it would appear at this moment.
Jason Heyward (RF; 45 games; 38 starts)
Status: On DL with sore right shoulder
Season Grade: C
Batting: .214/.317/.407/.724, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 7 homers, 3 SB in 4 attempts, 20 BB, 34 K, zero GDP.
RISP: 6 for 22 (.273).
RISP with 2 out: 4 for 10, 4 BB, 1 K.
Fielding: 1 outfield assist, 1 error.
Notes: I’m starting to worry. When Jason has been healthy he’s been good, although he has been prone to slumps. But I’m starting to question his toughness. I don’t know, maybe it isn’t fair, but just look at how his injury is listed: on 15-day DL with “sore shoulder.” Don’t recall seeing “sore” before in an official transaction report. It’s kind of hard for me to evaluate him as a hitter at this point because you don’t know how much of his problems have been due to injuries. I’m also not very impressed with his defensive skills. One thing I can say is that we have to have him back in the lineup soon, because he’s one of the few guys in the lineup who knows how to get on base even when he isn’t swinging the bat well or having good luck.
Joe Mather (LF-CF-RF-1B; 17 games; 8 starts)
Status: Backup outfielder/first baseman
Season Grade: B+
Batting: 13 for 38 (.342/.375/.526/.901), 4 doubles, 1 homer, 2 BB, 11 K.
PH: 2 for 7, 1 double, 3 K.
RISP: 4 for 6.
Fielding: No errors.
Notes: So I got this one totally wrong. I have to admit that I’ve done a complete 180 in terms of my thoughts on the Braves signing Mather. It turns out that he actually can swing the bat and his ability to play multiple positions actually is a major asset. I was totally off the mark. Mather did not make the team out of ST but he would be up with the big club before the end of April. Mather was 16 for 62 at AAA (.258/.343/.387/.730), hitting 1 homer, going 2 for 3 on SB tries, and drawing 8 walks against 14 K. He also hit into 4 GDP.
Matt Young (LF-CF-RF; 9 games; 4 starts)
Status: AAA
Season Grade: NA
Notes: Like Hicks, Young was a surprise member of the opening day roster. Unfortunately, Young wouldn’t be with the big club for long. When Peter Moylan went down with a back injury and the Braves had to have a fresh arm to help out an overworked pen, they called up Cody Gearrin and sent Young back to AAA. The next day, the Braves optioned reliever Jairo Asencio back to AAA, but instead of recalling Young, the Braves called up Joe Mather. Young didn’t get much playing time when he was in Atlanta, and he was unable to take advantage of the few opportunities he did get. He was just 2 for 19 at the plate with no EXBH, 2 BB, and 2 K. He was 0 for 3 as a pinch hitter. He was fine in the field, playing errorless ball and making a few nice catches. Young is 27 for 106 (.255/.347/.302/.649) at AAA with 6 SB in 9 tries, 15 BB, 17 K, 3 GDP. He has made 4 outfield assists and his 1 error this season came while playing 2nd.
Jordan Schafer (CF; 2 games; 2 starts)
Status: Starting in centerfield while McLouth on DL
Season Grade: NA
Notes: When Schafer struggled this spring and failed to make the team, it didn’t look like there was any chance he would be in the majors before September, and even a September call-up seemed somewhat unlikely. However, when Heyward and McLouth had to go on the DL earlier this week the Braves really had no other option but to bring Schafer up. At AAA, Schafer hit just .256/.309/.323/.633 with a homer, 6 SB in 9 tries, 14 BB, 28 K, and 2 GDP. He had 1 assist and no errors in the outfield. So far with Atlanta he is 2 for 9 with 1 double, 1 BB, and 1 K.
Wilkin Ramirez (PH-PR; 2 games; 0 starts)
Status: Pinch hitter/Pinch runner while McLouth and Heyward are on DL
Season Grade: NA
Notes: Ramirez was called up earlier this week when the Braves had to place McLouth and Heyward on the DL. He has fanned in his only plate appearance so far, and has yet to make an appearance in the field. At AAA he hit .248/.294/.513/.806 with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 7 homers, 6 SB in 7 tries, 8 BB, and 27 K. He had 2 outfield assists and 1 error while at AAA.
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