Whenever Baldwin is in the lineup, I'd bat him 2nd. He's patient enough to allow the leadoff to attempt a steal, and can move him up a base or even bring him home. He always gives great at bats.
I would bring Baldwin and Ozuna in and inform them they were both going to the DH position. Ozuna starts and stays there until he goes 0-4 or 0-5. Once that happens, Baldwin becomes the DH and stays at the DH position until he goes 0-4 or 0-5, at which time they switch. By doing this, it gives Ozuna a great incentive to get a hit, and it gives Baldwin time in as well. Of course, this gets put on hold when Baldwin replaces Murphy as catcher. Also, it gives both players the option of pinch hitting when they are on the bench. I really wish they would give this a try, as I think the team could really benefit from this. Let's go Braves!
That's a great idea. Gives us two ways of getting Baldwin's hot bat in the lineup. But not for Ozuna! We have few hitters as it is!
If you want to take a .219 hitter (double play candidate, begger of walks, strikeout guy) out of the lineup find a right handed first baseman or a third baseman that can hit and move Riley to first. Olson had his breakout year, but, like most, he's back to the .235/25-hr guy he was before. And, unfortunately, that is probably optimistic.
When the Braves went out and got Olson, they didn't sign him thinking he "may get good". His numbers with the A's were good, and then all he did was come in and lead MLB with 59 homers after replacing ultra popular Freddie Freeman. No doubt he is currently in a slump but great thing about slumps is they have a beginning and an end. Hopefully we are close to the end of his.
Great write up. It will be very interesting what will happen when Profar comes back........His fault indeed. I understand the "Braves Today" part of the substack being 'Braves,' I wanted to take a second to tip the cap to Soroka. When he 1st hurt his Achilles he was motivated to come back as quick as possible. Then the second Achilles injury happened as he walked down the steps of the dugout when he was near the end of his rehab. So he had to start over again. I don't believe any pitcher has ever come back from two Achilles. Then he went to a pitching guru guy who showed him how his original delivery was dependent on tweaking his Achilles as he delivered the ball. How out of wake his mechanics were for his type of body. So he did what so few have ever done--completely reworked how he was a pitcher. He is completely different in almost every way. He had a bicep thing early in the year so he is just getting started. But if he continues in his progress he could get a sizable free agent contract--not top of the market kinda deal but multiple years at 15/20 a year...yeah I believe so. He said his goal is to pitch into his 40's and with his new alignment and pitching style I believe he will.
Yeah, I touched on Soroka in the postcast last night. Just glad to see him on the mound and do well. Still want Atlanta to bring him back at the deadline or the offseason, but we'll see what they do.
I think the Braves waited as long as they could on Michael Soroka. I really wanted him to succeed. When we lost him, I still wanted him to win, that is, except for last night. He may be at a time where he is gonna have to produce or he may be scrambling for a spot somewhere. I wish him well just the same.
Whenever Baldwin is in the lineup, I'd bat him 2nd. He's patient enough to allow the leadoff to attempt a steal, and can move him up a base or even bring him home. He always gives great at bats.
Honestly, I would too. I just think he's a special offensive talent.
I would bring Baldwin and Ozuna in and inform them they were both going to the DH position. Ozuna starts and stays there until he goes 0-4 or 0-5. Once that happens, Baldwin becomes the DH and stays at the DH position until he goes 0-4 or 0-5, at which time they switch. By doing this, it gives Ozuna a great incentive to get a hit, and it gives Baldwin time in as well. Of course, this gets put on hold when Baldwin replaces Murphy as catcher. Also, it gives both players the option of pinch hitting when they are on the bench. I really wish they would give this a try, as I think the team could really benefit from this. Let's go Braves!
That's a great idea. Gives us two ways of getting Baldwin's hot bat in the lineup. But not for Ozuna! We have few hitters as it is!
If you want to take a .219 hitter (double play candidate, begger of walks, strikeout guy) out of the lineup find a right handed first baseman or a third baseman that can hit and move Riley to first. Olson had his breakout year, but, like most, he's back to the .235/25-hr guy he was before. And, unfortunately, that is probably optimistic.
When the Braves went out and got Olson, they didn't sign him thinking he "may get good". His numbers with the A's were good, and then all he did was come in and lead MLB with 59 homers after replacing ultra popular Freddie Freeman. No doubt he is currently in a slump but great thing about slumps is they have a beginning and an end. Hopefully we are close to the end of his.
Great write up. It will be very interesting what will happen when Profar comes back........His fault indeed. I understand the "Braves Today" part of the substack being 'Braves,' I wanted to take a second to tip the cap to Soroka. When he 1st hurt his Achilles he was motivated to come back as quick as possible. Then the second Achilles injury happened as he walked down the steps of the dugout when he was near the end of his rehab. So he had to start over again. I don't believe any pitcher has ever come back from two Achilles. Then he went to a pitching guru guy who showed him how his original delivery was dependent on tweaking his Achilles as he delivered the ball. How out of wake his mechanics were for his type of body. So he did what so few have ever done--completely reworked how he was a pitcher. He is completely different in almost every way. He had a bicep thing early in the year so he is just getting started. But if he continues in his progress he could get a sizable free agent contract--not top of the market kinda deal but multiple years at 15/20 a year...yeah I believe so. He said his goal is to pitch into his 40's and with his new alignment and pitching style I believe he will.
Yeah, I touched on Soroka in the postcast last night. Just glad to see him on the mound and do well. Still want Atlanta to bring him back at the deadline or the offseason, but we'll see what they do.
I think the Braves waited as long as they could on Michael Soroka. I really wanted him to succeed. When we lost him, I still wanted him to win, that is, except for last night. He may be at a time where he is gonna have to produce or he may be scrambling for a spot somewhere. I wish him well just the same.