Good write up. I feel like EW is benefiting from, as you mentioned, a lack of formal game plan as well as hitting in the bottom third of the order.
The general game plan for the bottom third, at least as a casual would observe, is get ahead with early strikes and pitch to contact. To me that explains the high usage of fastballs and meatballs he is seeing (so far).
Yeah, I've been asked about moving him to leadoff and not only is Verdugo performing well up there, but it means that White's going to be gameplanned more. Plus, I'm a fan of continuity - if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
I need to look up the numbers behind first-pitch strikes and pitch mixes to the bottom three of the order, but anecdotally, that seems right on the nose. Good call.
"Chase" and "off-speed" production are - if the player is smart and anxious to learn - is cured with playing time. Snit plays the same people, every day, for 162 games. The only "game" experience anyone gets (who is not a starter) is in AAA. They don't get the chance at the top level. If they do get a few weeks due to an injury, then when the starter returns, its straight to the bench, lucky to get one ab/week.
Therefore, I propose the Braves get a manager is active with his club. Take Eli White and Olsen. Olsen has the worst batting average among ALL STARTERS - including Nick Allen - yet he hits cleanup, every day, 162 games/year. Therefore, take Snit out of the lineup. Get someone who will teach Eli 1st base (if he can play shortstop...). Once Ronald returns, keep White in the lineup by putting him at first base against lefties.
White will learn the strike zone better than Olsen. 80% of the time Olsen either walks, strikes out or hits into a double play. He goes to the plate begging for a walk. He reminds me of someone just trying to hold onto his job and not excel at it. Give someone aggressive an opportunity. Give a manager with some moxie a chance in lieu of Bedtime Snit.
Unbelievable. The most dense part of it was thinking that any manager in baseball history woykd even be thinking about such a thing lol. It's called Snitker derangement syndrome & you have s severe case of it.
Insane in many levels lol but the most dense take is thinking that any manager in the history of baseball would even consider this. It's called Snitker derangement syndrome & you have a severe case..
Thanks for writing this one. One other things I remember is he was one of the few Braves who had a really good spring training at the plate. So I went to confirm it and looks like he's put up good springs throughout his career. Doesn't really say much besides he hits AAAA pitching well and gets off to a good start so hopefully he just doesn't fade.
Yeah, I really struggle with how much stock to put into spring training performances. BRef has that helpful quality of competition measure with spring training numbers, but they also wipe spring training stats off the player's pages when the season starts so I can't go check that. If nothing else, though, being hot in spring means you're seeing the ball well so it should carry over at least somewhat to the regular season.
Good write up. I feel like EW is benefiting from, as you mentioned, a lack of formal game plan as well as hitting in the bottom third of the order.
The general game plan for the bottom third, at least as a casual would observe, is get ahead with early strikes and pitch to contact. To me that explains the high usage of fastballs and meatballs he is seeing (so far).
Yeah, I've been asked about moving him to leadoff and not only is Verdugo performing well up there, but it means that White's going to be gameplanned more. Plus, I'm a fan of continuity - if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
I need to look up the numbers behind first-pitch strikes and pitch mixes to the bottom three of the order, but anecdotally, that seems right on the nose. Good call.
"Chase" and "off-speed" production are - if the player is smart and anxious to learn - is cured with playing time. Snit plays the same people, every day, for 162 games. The only "game" experience anyone gets (who is not a starter) is in AAA. They don't get the chance at the top level. If they do get a few weeks due to an injury, then when the starter returns, its straight to the bench, lucky to get one ab/week.
Therefore, I propose the Braves get a manager is active with his club. Take Eli White and Olsen. Olsen has the worst batting average among ALL STARTERS - including Nick Allen - yet he hits cleanup, every day, 162 games/year. Therefore, take Snit out of the lineup. Get someone who will teach Eli 1st base (if he can play shortstop...). Once Ronald returns, keep White in the lineup by putting him at first base against lefties.
White will learn the strike zone better than Olsen. 80% of the time Olsen either walks, strikes out or hits into a double play. He goes to the plate begging for a walk. He reminds me of someone just trying to hold onto his job and not excel at it. Give someone aggressive an opportunity. Give a manager with some moxie a chance in lieu of Bedtime Snit.
Unbelievable. The most dense part of it was thinking that any manager in baseball history woykd even be thinking about such a thing lol. It's called Snitker derangement syndrome & you have s severe case of it.
Insane in many levels lol but the most dense take is thinking that any manager in the history of baseball would even consider this. It's called Snitker derangement syndrome & you have a severe case..
Thanks for writing this one. One other things I remember is he was one of the few Braves who had a really good spring training at the plate. So I went to confirm it and looks like he's put up good springs throughout his career. Doesn't really say much besides he hits AAAA pitching well and gets off to a good start so hopefully he just doesn't fade.
https://www.mlb.com/player/eli-white-642201?stats=career-s-hitting-mlb&year=2025
Yeah, I really struggle with how much stock to put into spring training performances. BRef has that helpful quality of competition measure with spring training numbers, but they also wipe spring training stats off the player's pages when the season starts so I can't go check that. If nothing else, though, being hot in spring means you're seeing the ball well so it should carry over at least somewhat to the regular season.