Braun Working on a Swing Change

[stoutdude04]

He's having a nice season but yesterday's game was not one of his best moments. To make a boneheaded throw that costs a run and then go into complete chase mode with the bases loaded in the 9th when we had them on the ropes were both things you would expect from Hiura, not Braun. He's been around way too long to be looking like a rookie mentally as he did last night.

 

 

To be fair. I think Acuna would have scored anyway, but I agree.

[adambr2]

He's having a nice season but yesterday's game was not one of his best moments. To make a boneheaded throw that costs a run and then go into complete chase mode with the bases loaded in the 9th when we had them on the ropes were both things you would expect from Hiura, not Braun. He's been around way too long to be looking like a rookie mentally as he did last night.

 

 

To be fair. I think Acuna would have scored anyway, but I agree.

 

https://www.mlb.com/braves/video/markakis-sacrifice-fly?t=t144-default-vtp

 

Didn't look like Acuna was even planning on trying. He was a dead duck with any good throw with Braun's momentum already taking him toward home.

[pacopete4]

Braun’s May Line: .403/.474/.642/1.115 in 76 plate appearances

[DuWayne Steurer]

 

Given the season has started, why do salaries and "deals" matter? If I told you before the season, without taking salary into consideration and telling you who the team was, that your team's 3rd outfielder would be above league average, I think most would be reasonable to take it and not care what the money that's already been spent was.

 

I think the point was that he's not nearly a top 20% outfielder. He's been solid, worth putting on the field, and not a liability, but he's not a top 20% OF'er, and whether or not the money is already spent, really not worth his contract (as guys over 35 almost never are). It's valid to point out that his production (while solid) doesn't match his pay. The Brewers are in a position, and probably always will be where they shouldn't be paying guys in their late 30's this kind of money.

[pacopete4]

Braun changed it up a bit: Per Adam McCalvy

[Eye Black]

Braun changed it up a bit: Per Adam McCalvy

Here is the article Adam McCalvy wrote on the stance adjustment, Inspired by Bellinger, Braun reworks stance

[pacopete4]

Braun changed it up a bit: Per Adam McCalvy

Here is the article Adam McCalvy wrote on the stance adjustment, Inspired by Bellinger, Braun reworks stance

 

“It’s like, my BP is still so good. Maybe it’s because the ball is juiced, but I’m hitting balls further and harder than ever. I know I’m not as healthy as I was when I was younger, but I’m shocked that I’m not performing better in games, still. So maybe this is something that will help me get there. ... You’re never too old or too proud to make adjustments and make changes. It’s worth exploring.”

[BruisedCrew]

 

Given the season has started, why do salaries and "deals" matter? If I told you before the season, without taking salary into consideration and telling you who the team was, that your team's 3rd outfielder would be above league average, I think most would be reasonable to take it and not care what the money that's already been spent was.

 

I think the point was that he's not nearly a top 20% outfielder. He's been solid, worth putting on the field, and not a liability, but he's not a top 20% OF'er, and whether or not the money is already spent, really not worth his contract (as guys over 35 almost never are). It's valid to point out that his production (while solid) doesn't match his pay. The Brewers are in a position, and probably always will be where they shouldn't be paying guys in their late 30's this kind of money.

 

Given the contracts players are getting these days, if you aren’t willing to pay players some big money in their mid to late 30’s you probably aren’t going to have them in their prime years. Like it or not you have to look at much of that money as deferred payment for earlier production.

[adambr2]

 

Given the season has started, why do salaries and "deals" matter? If I told you before the season, without taking salary into consideration and telling you who the team was, that your team's 3rd outfielder would be above league average, I think most would be reasonable to take it and not care what the money that's already been spent was.

 

I think the point was that he's not nearly a top 20% outfielder. He's been solid, worth putting on the field, and not a liability, but he's not a top 20% OF'er, and whether or not the money is already spent, really not worth his contract (as guys over 35 almost never are). It's valid to point out that his production (while solid) doesn't match his pay. The Brewers are in a position, and probably always will be where they shouldn't be paying guys in their late 30's this kind of money.

 

Given the contracts players are getting these days, if you aren’t willing to pay players some big money in their mid to late 30’s you probably aren’t going to have them in their prime years. Like it or not you have to look at much of that money as deferred payment for earlier production.

 

The problem with this argument here is that it didn't apply to Braun's situation at all.

He was already under contract through his age 31 season before the 5 year extension was given. He was extended in 2011 for 2016-2020 and was already under contract through 2015 at the time.

[PinaMadness]

Braun changed it up a bit: Per Adam McCalvy

I saw that tweet before yesterday's game and noticed he got away from it too, so the results of his at bats were no surprise.

 

[The stache]

Taken as a whole, Braun's 2019 at the plate doesn't look dramatically different from his 2018 performance. But he had a terrible first month of the season. On April 30th, he was hitting .196 with a slash line of .250 OBP/.381 SLG/.631 OPS. Look no further than his .209 BAbip for an explanation. In 2018, his BAbip, which had been .331 between 2007 and 2017, dropped to a career low .274. But since the start of May 2019, he's been a completely different hitter. The last 60 games, he's actually been pretty damned good.

 

May 1 to July 15

 

60 games played

199 at bats

28 runs

61 hits

14 doubles

8 home runs

27 RBI

6/7 stolen bases

12 walks

47 strikeouts

.307 AVG, slash line of .346 OBP/.497 SLG/.843 OPS

.373 BAbip

123 OPS +

 

Clearly that's not MVP Ryan Braun from his peak. But for 35 years old, OPSing 23% above league average is pretty good. The thing killing his WAR is his defense. But there's no question he's been producing offensively the last 2.5 months, overall. He's had a slow start to July, but I've got a sneaking feeling he's about to go on a hot streak.

[MrTPlush]

Okay so we get to ignore his horrid month, but then accept his 1.000+ OPS May?

 

I don't think that is how it works.

[pacopete4]

No one is saying ignore his bad stretch. They’re just pointing out that he’s done pretty well this year, offensively, outside of a horrendous start to the season. How much of that was a swing change? Who knows.

[sveumrules]

2018: 105 wRC+

2019: 101 wRC+

 

2018: .370 expected wOBA vs .330 actual wOBA

2019: .337 expected wOBA vs .333 actual wOBA

[MrTPlush]

No one is saying ignore his bad stretch.

 

I mean...yah he kind of is. All players go through highs and lows. Ignoring something just because they ended or started the year hot/poor is so popular, but so misleading.

 

One could sit here and say, "Well after his hot streak in May his OPS has been merely average at .750."...now he doesn't look so impressive.

 

His BA in his last 14 days is .227, but if you took 28 days it is .305.

 

All about how you want to cut that pie.

[The stache]

No one is saying ignore his bad stretch.

 

I mean...yah he kind of is. All players go through highs and lows. Ignoring something just because they ended or started the year hot/poor is so popular, but so misleading.

 

One could sit here and say, "Well after his hot streak in May his OPS has been merely average at .750."...now he doesn't look so impressive.

 

His BA in his last 14 days is .227, but if you took 28 days it is .305.

 

All about how you want to cut that pie.

 

I mean...no, I really wasn't. Please don't put words in my mouth. Should you need clarification on what I've said, ask instead of making assumptions.

 

But since the start of May 2019, he's been a completely different hitter. The last 60 games, he's actually been pretty damned good.

 

Nowhere did I say to ignore that first month. I said he's been pretty productive the last sixty games. I also referenced his slow start to July.

 

I'm not sure what is ambiguous about my comment.

[TJseven7]

Can he work on a position change again? Could use a RH 1b to platoon with Thames/Shaw next year.

 

Grisham is getting downright silly in AAA.

[shanedog19]

Can he work on a position change again? Could use a RH 1b to platoon with Thames/Shaw next year.

 

Grisham is getting downright silly in AAA.

 

I'm starting to think Grisham should get called up this year, and maybe even before September.

[adambr2]

Can he work on a position change again? Could use a RH 1b to platoon with Thames/Shaw next year.

 

Grisham is getting downright silly in AAA.

 

I'm starting to think Grisham should get called up this year, and maybe even before September.

 

I've been torn on this.

 

He's still only 22, and as good as he has been, he probably still has some development in front of him. We've waited a long time for him to deliver on his potential and I think we need to resist the temptation to rush things now.

 

100% he gets added to the 40 in the offseason and maybe follows the Hiura path next year for a callup schedule.

[reillymcshane]

Grisham with four more hits tonight.

[shanedog19]

Can he work on a position change again? Could use a RH 1b to platoon with Thames/Shaw next year.

 

Grisham is getting downright silly in AAA.

 

I'm starting to think Grisham should get called up this year, and maybe even before September.

 

I've been torn on this.

 

He's still only 22, and as good as he has been, he probably still has some development in front of him. We've waited a long time for him to deliver on his potential and I think we need to resist the temptation to rush things now.

 

100% he gets added to the 40 in the offseason and maybe follows the Hiura path next year for a callup schedule.

 

He has two more years in the minors than Hiura, and is having a bigger year in 2019 than Hiura did in 2018. If he can have a Hiura type impact on the big league club, I think you bring him up and see if he can be a difference maker. I think the conversation at least needs to start now.

[Brew crew 92]

Can he work on a position change again? Could use a RH 1b to platoon with Thames/Shaw next year.

 

Grisham is getting downright silly in AAA.

 

I'm starting to think Grisham should get called up this year, and maybe even before September.

 

I've been torn on this.

 

He's still only 22, and as good as he has been, he probably still has some development in front of him. We've waited a long time for him to deliver on his potential and I think we need to resist the temptation to rush things now.

 

100% he gets added to the 40 in the offseason and maybe follows the Hiura path next year for a callup schedule.

 

This offense needs something to get it going, his elite plate approach will transfer to the big leagues, and maybe it’ll rub off a little too.

[TJseven7]

Can he work on a position change again? Could use a RH 1b to platoon with Thames/Shaw next year.

 

Grisham is getting downright silly in AAA.

 

I'm starting to think Grisham should get called up this year, and maybe even before September.

 

I've been torn on this.

 

He's still only 22, and as good as he has been, he probably still has some development in front of him. We've waited a long time for him to deliver on his potential and I think we need to resist the temptation to rush things now.

 

100% he gets added to the 40 in the offseason and maybe follows the Hiura path next year for a callup schedule.

 

I'm in no rush. He's not even 23 yet. The plan needs to be put in place for 2020 though.

 

I'm wondering how we avoid having 5 of our 6 top bats being LH in the near future.

[DHonks]

I’d like to see the Brewers try Braun at 1st or 2nd in the order.

 

Braun

Cain

Yelich

Grandal

Moose

Hiura

Cain

 

Try that for a few games

[pacopete4]

There not moving Yelich. Not even sure why you would.