For the second straight (and third overall playoff game), Ron Roenicke has removed Corey Hart for a defensive replacement. While I believe that Nyjer Morgan or Carlos Gomez is a clear defensive upgrade over Corey Hart, there is a player in left field that is a worse defender than Corey, and in the right situation should be removed from the outfield.
According to fangraphs.com, Carlos Gomez is the best defensive outfielder, than comes Nyjer Morgan, Corey Hart, and trudging in at last place is Ryan Braun. While Ryan Braun's bat is enough to warrant him an MVP award, his defensive isn't helping his case. In the right situation (like the game yesterday when the Brewers have a three-plus run lead), the extra offense provided by Braun's bat isn't worth enough to overlook his poor defense that may prove to be costly.
Most likely, the reason why Roenicke is removing Hart over Braun, is because it would cause a complete revolt in Brewer land. But statistically, the next time that Roenicke has a 9-6 lead in the 8th, the outfield should be: Corey Hart LF (If he is open to moving to Left, if not insert Nyjer Morgan here), Carlos Gomez CF, Nyjer Morgan RF. The Brewers need to maximize every opportunity avilable including optimizing its outfield defense late in games when they have the lead.
Please Comment and Go Brewers!
Please tell me this entire post is a joke.
ReplyDeleteI am not saying that he should be taken out in a close game.
ReplyDeleteI am not saying that he should be taken out at all before the ninth inning.
But if the Brewers have a lead like the Cardinals did last night, or even if they only had a four run lead in the ninth inning. They should take Braun out. Look what the Cardinals did, they took out Pujols and put Yadier Molina. Molina has only played 37 innings at first, and only 2 this year.
I am not saying that the Brewers should do something crazy like put George Kottaras in left field, but they should utilize Nyjer Morgan or Carlos Gomez to take advantage of a clear defensive upgrade over Braun in left.
Thanks for the response, and keep commenting. Any feedback, positive or negative, is appreciated.
What happens when a pitcher blows that 3 run 8th inning lead, and we have to play the rest of the game without Ryan Braun's bat? The difference between Hart and Braun is clearly larger on offense than defense, and that is why Braun stays in the game.
ReplyDeleteThat is a risk, but in the game of baseball as in life, you must take calculated risks.
ReplyDeleteIt is likely that Axford will not blow a three run lead, and a better outfield defense will help to, hopefully, prevent that from happening.