Final Grades: Outfield

The final review of the Braves grades focuses on the outfield.

The outfield was terrible in 2008 and needed an overhaul similar to the rotation. However, it didn't happen, and the Braves were left powerless in the outfield. Whether Frank Wren just put the problem to the side and hoped it worked itself out or spent so much money on the rotation that he couldn't afford a power bat, leaving the outfield like it was coming into the season was a big mistake. Such a big mistake that it likely cost the Braves a trip to the playoffs.

Garret Anderson: (C)
"Anderson still produces at a high rate, driving in at least 80 runs the past four years despite a drop in at bats. However, he doesn’t provide the power the Braves are sorely lacking. He will hold the position for a year in a platoon with Matt Diaz."

Garret Anderson has the emptiest bat I've ever seen, meaning he doesn't produce, and when he does it's meaningless. He hit .268, which is an average average for him, but his OPS was .705 because his OBP was .303. He only walked 27 times. Despite having a decent idea of the strike zone and fouling off a lot of pitches, he doesn't walk and his bat has slowed to the point of not being able to take advantage of those high fastballs like he used to. I was borderline with the signing early on, but it proved to be terrible, and yet he remained the starter all season. At least we know he won't be in 2010.

Matt Diaz: (B+)
"Diaz doesn’t have the power for an everyday man but is a very capable member of a platoon. He is back and looking to put 2008 behind him, and will resume his role as the right-handed side of the left field platoon."

If only this guy had power, he'd be one of the best hitters in baseball. Unfortunately, he had 13 homers and 18 doubles. Diaz knows how to drive in runs but does it with singles. Despite a BB/K ratio of 35/90, his OPS was .878 mainly due to a .390 OBP. It's amazing how he does it: swinging at a fastball above his head before driving an 0-2 curve to the right field gap like it's nothing. As long as the Braves continue to get lefty outfielders, Diaz will have a job. It's pretty certain they will because the right side of the platoon has served the Braves well over the past few years. Now the left side is a different story.

Brandon Jones: (N/A)
"Jones has shown glimpses of power but not enough to give management the confidence to put him in left field everyday. The signing of Anderson and the return of Diaz means another year of AAA with a late call up."

Brandon Jones is getting old. A 25-year-old that is destined to start in the majors has already earned the job in most cases. But Jones has never been given an opportunity with the Braves. They could have saved the money used to sign Anderson and just as easily gotten the same production from Jones. He hits left handed like Anderson, too. Jones went 4-13 with four walks in his 2009 stint in Atlanta (that's close to Anderson's season total...ok not really). Now the Braves are looking to sign a right handed power bat, further showing their distrust in Jones. If he doesn't earn the left side of the platoon in 2010, I'm giving up on his chances.

Nate McLouth: (B-)
Nate McLouth took a step backwards from his 2008 season and didn't really show much as a Brave. He posted the usual sub-.350 OBP but his SLG went from .497 to .436 (.419 as a Brave). After 46 doubles in 2008, he had just 27 this year. Hopefully it's a case of changing teams for the first time in his big league career, and he'll be back to form in 2010. Turning 28 years old is my main logic behind that statement. Either way he's the starter in Atlanta for several more years.

Jordan Schafer: (C-)
"If he can prove he can handle the everyday job this Spring, he will win the center field battle. If not, he will start everyday at AAA and make an appearance in Atlanta late in the season."

Schafer did win the job out of spring training, but it's probably the worst thing that could have happened for him. He put so much pressure on himself that he apparently played through a wrist injury and let it cost him his job (was sent down and then went on the 60-day DL...I'd say that's enough reason to believe). He struck out 63 times in 167 at bats with the Braves, but there's really no way of knowing what he's fully capable of, not to mention he's 23. But whether his experience as a rookie damages him will be seen...someday.

Jeff Francoeur: (F-)
"He is said to have a new approach and mindset. All eyes will be on him because this could very well be his last chance to lock down right field in Atlanta."

I usually just grade players that ended the season with the team, but I can't help but do this. Notice I didn't take a side on my statement in my preview. I left a tiny, tiny, tiny window for Francoeur in 2009. He shut it with my finger stuck inside. Francoeur will never be a good hitter. He can drive in 162 runs with a .300 average for the next 10 years and still never be a good hitter. His rear end was booted out of Atlanta, yet he was the lone bright spot in the second half for New York. The difference between the two? A .352 SLG as a Brave and a .498 SLG as a Met. If he doesn't produce, he drags an entire offense down. If I was a Mets fan (I shudder at the thought), I would be praying every night this winter that Francoeur keeps that SLG percentage up.

Ryan Church: (B)
Ryan Church is a decent enough outfielder but isn't a starter. He was brought to Atlanta just to get Francoeur out. Church's power is limited to doubles (28), but he gets on base at a decent enough rate to keep him in there (16/22 BB/K....347 OBP as a Brave). Hopefully the Braves will replace him next year (if not they will be showing a complete lack of desire to reach the playoffs), but I wouldn't mind keeping him around as a backup. He plays good defense and can play in center if needed.

Gregor Blanco, Reid Gorecki: (N/A)
Neither will ever play in Atlanta.