I keep seeing where people say or write that new Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla is a good career hitter at Turner Field, but they don't seem to be saying it with enough confidence. I wanted to see if he was just as good against Braves pitching wherever he played, or if was really The Ted. When I saw the results my eyes just about bugged out of my head:
| AB |
H |
HR |
BA |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
|
| vs. Braves in Florida |
174 |
38 |
11 |
.218 |
.285 |
.460 |
.745 |
| vs. Braves at Turner Field |
181 |
64 |
12 |
.354 |
.399 |
.652 |
1.051 |
Yeah, WOW! He really is a better hitter at Turner Field, even against a Braves pitching staff that has limited him in Florida. The home runs are similar, but that is just about the only thing that stays the same.
Certainly this could be a product of luck. The SSS crew will rightly point out that less that 200 plate appearances is not enough to really judge a trend, but I see it as a good sign. A sign that he might really like the hitters background at Turner Field. A sign that he has confidence hitting there, as opposed to a history of not hitting well at his new home ballpark.
We'll have to wait until next season to see if he continues to rake in Hot-lanta, but until then we can be excited about the prospect that he will.
0 recs | 48 comments
You know your favorite sports team just pulled off a hell of a deal...
when you wake up two mornings in a row and you still can’t believe the trade happened.
I’m so motherf’ing excited for the 2011 season.
Scott Coleman - November 18, 2010
The same thing has been happening to me….then I come on here and start reading comments and all, and it finally hits me, WE GOT DAN F’ING UGGLA!!!
-Primetime21- - November 18, 2010
I have told several friends more than once that the Braves traded for Uggla and for next to nothing. I’m still in disbelief.
I think the next fan confidence poll should have a lot of 9 and 10. How could you not?
Sparhawk - November 18, 2010
Still some depth questions, and there’s always Nate in CF.
king of games - November 18, 2010
That being said, I have a feeling Nate is going to have a huge year and make us all eat our words and choke on them.
king of games - November 18, 2010
Even if he bounces back at the plate....
…I’m still not sure if the runs he’s likely gonna cost the team on defense would be worth having him in CF on a regular basis.
Undocorkscrew - November 18, 2010
this
and the offseason basically just began
Braves24 - November 18, 2010
Can’t wait to see the whole season there. It sure as heck ain’t the heat.
BeantownVol - November 18, 2010
I always felt like Uggla destroyed us. I’m so glad we got him.
Braves Biceps - November 18, 2010
Thats because he did ha
makes me feel better about playing the marlins too
AvoidTheDolphin - November 18, 2010
uggla is a 5 win player for us just by sitting on the bench with how much he beat us with the marlins.
telemakhos - November 18, 2010
Opinions....
Assuming the Fish add a starter like Garland, Vazquez, or Pavano and that they make no more moves, do you see the 2011 team being a stronger team than they were this past season?
I say yes. They lost Uggla, but will be getting full years out of Stanton and Morrison, as well as a competent catcher(something they haven’t had in ages). I think Coghlan will be moving back to his normal position at 2B, Infante at 3B. So I think their defense, at least in the infield, will be a bit better as well.
Coghlan
Morrison
Hanley
Stanton
Sanchez
Buck
Infante
Bonifacio?
Not a terrible lineup at all.
Johnson, Nolasco, Sanchez, Sanabia, FA or trade(again, assuming it’s one of those 3 guys or a similar starter)……..doesn’t look too bad either. The pen was a huge issue last year and they’ve gotten some decent pieces for it over the past week.
I say they’ll be a better all-around club.
Undocorkscrew - November 18, 2010
Vaild points
They have some of the better scouts in baseball aswell and should be ok. But by ok i mean settling for 3rd place with the mets and nats hahaa.
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - November 18, 2010
Fact is
Marlins didn’t value Dan I mean 4yrs – $48million is an insulting offer for a guy that has done as much over the past for season’s as Dan Uggla has done for the Fish in Miami. So Uggla in return give them such a crazy counter offer of five yrs $71 million and wouldn’t back down from it. When dealing with the Braves I feel it is not going to be near that expensive to keep him here for the next 4-5 seasons.
Marlins got something for what they were going to lose anyways. Braves though got a wonderful freaking trade. Marlins got robbed, even if the Braves gave Dan a 5yr 55-60 million dollar deal that is steal now even half of what he would get on the free agent market after the 2011 season is done.
Get this done Mr. Wren I don’t wanna here about how Uggla was just I one year player, Uggla wants to be here after his XM sports radio broadcasting comments and we need to keep him here in ATL for the next 4-5 seasons with Chipper done after this coming season if he makes it all the way back.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - November 19, 2010
5 years, 55-60 million for Uggla...
…would be something really stupid for the Braves to do. Given his age, the last two or three years of that contract would be horrible. Someone will be stupid and give it to him on the market. We should take the season and take the draft picks with Uggla.
cavebird - November 19, 2010
I'm not so sure they'll be getting that competent of a catcher
This is the first full season Buck has actually been good offensively and it was on a team that was just loaded with ridiculously inflated power numbers. His average was a mirage based on a .335 BABIP (career .289), the power is decent but not nearly that good, he strikes out a ton, and the walk rate is low and getting lower. I give it until the All-Star break before they’re regretting that deal.
was385 - November 19, 2010
They may regret the length and dollars...
…and I’m not a Buck fan at all, but he is clearly an upgrade over what they’ve been throwing out there these past few years. He’s not a butcher behind the plate and brings at least average offensive production for that position.
Undocorkscrew - November 19, 2010
I agree with the first 2 posters. Dan Uggla for Omar and Mike Dunn – freaking unbelievable.
Ranks right up there with the Renteria trade as one of FW’s masterstrokes. The Braves offense just got whole lot better. Can’t wait for Spring training!
phiz50 - November 18, 2010
Still in Awe...
Soo im thinking my man crush on sir Uggla is stilll in full effect. Question tho, any news on what number he will be wearing? They say he’s more than glad and honor bobby by not wearing no.6. Soo any news as far as that goes??
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - November 18, 2010
Wikipedia has his number as 7.
TonyAlmeyda - November 18, 2010
7
Help us all forget about Failcoeur… I love me some Uggla
HansonManCrush - November 18, 2010 via mobile
I thought the same exact thing lol.
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - November 18, 2010
No! Number 7 is a curse! A CUUUUURSEEEE
MBL1 - November 19, 2010
No.26 it is
I bet conrad had no say in that either lol
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - November 20, 2010
Regarding the hitting data and SSS's
A couple of points:
1. In general, the Braves pitching staff has to be acknowledged as at least ‘above average’ during Uggla’s first years in the league. This suggests to me that he’s outperformed the norm at The Ted, and probably isn’t worse than average at the Fish Tank.
2. In the Marlins’ lineups, there are two guys that — perennially — you want to go after in the hopes that they won’t beat you: Hanley and Uggla. Despite that emphasis, Uggla has been beating the Braves — at least in Atlanta.
3. I wouldn’t call those numbers ‘small samples’ — each of the splits represents nearly a third of a year. And even so, the disparity is SO wide that it boggles the mind. Suppose you tripled the ABs, yet had no home/away difference (.287 – the average overall) for all of those extra ABs. He would STILL have a noticeable differential of over 45 points in Atlanta vs. Miami based on the prior data.
That suggests the “Vlad Effect” to me: go get the guy who’s been crushing the ball against you and hope he continues doing it in your home park.
carpengui - November 18, 2010
Harold Reynolds and company are mad that Felix won the Cy Young. Their justification is utterly laughable. MLB Network needs a more stat-savvy crew than the world-wide leader.
TradeAndruw - November 18, 2010
Baseball Tonight has become damn near unwatchable. I'll take MLBN 100 times out of 100.
The Keith Lockhart Era - November 18, 2010
That said, Harold Reynolds isn't exactly Bob Costas.
The Keith Lockhart Era - November 18, 2010
This.
Costas is a god. Reynolds is not. Anyone who tries to say Felix didn’t deserve it obviously has their heads so far up their asses that they smell their own farts five minutes before we hear them.
J-Freak - November 19, 2010
costas is a horrible rambling fool. He’d be better commentating for a macy’s parade than a baseball game. Also, reynolds is terrible.
telemakhos - November 19, 2010
I've always liked Reynolds
Mr. Sanchez - November 19, 2010
+1
He always gives some pretty fair insights if u ask me. One of the reason i watch mlb network after baseball tonight let him go. Felix on pretty much any other team would have easily had 18-20 wins.
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - November 20, 2010
I love Dan Uggla as a hitter,
but I’ll believe that he’s actually better at Turner Field when he has more than about 1/2 season’s worth of PAs there. If this were Arizona or Colorado and you could easily explain the difference, it’d be one thing… But for the life of me, I can’t think of any reason why he’d hit better here than in FLA. In his career he has almost no home/road split, so it’s not that he hates hitting in FLA… and his BABIP in Atlanta is crazy high.
Another thing I’m curious about is how his numbers will look when you replace his PAs vs. Atlanta with ones vs. FLA. He has just killed Hudson and Lowe the past few years in particular—maybe he loves hitting against sinkerballers—and replacing those PAs with ones from the Marlins’ staff (all of whom are around league average in GB/FB) may hurt his numbers.
Jacob Peterson - November 18, 2010
Great analysis on what to expect from Uggla away from the Marlins....
http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/uggla-elsewhere/
Undocorkscrew - November 18, 2010
Signing Uggla - Now the Braves have the worst defensive infield in baseball
Your fielding is pretty bad when Brooks Conrad is a defensive improvement.
SBFalcon101 - November 18, 2010
Agreed Time to find a good Utility IF off the bench for the late Innings
Uggla does lack IF-defensive ability but 30+ homeruns and 100+ RBI’s is something that makes his lack of a glove easier to look at. Uggla has created a buzz around this time and excitement that hasn’t been their until the previously ended season with a early postseason exit but a wonderful ride for Cox’s final year. I JUST WANT UGGLA SIGNED LONG TERM ASAP FRANK WREN. I mean as soon as he gets off the boat or plane from Mexico Wren should greet him with a five year contract extenstion. PERIOD !
T.P. was a S#$! hitting coach but he was an good IF in his hey day as a MLB regular and can help Uggla with the Mitt. Still at Utility IF such as A. Everett for around 1.5 million would be nice and is a need. Also bringing back E. Hinske is another good move since he can play LF and 1B and is a key bench player that is no very much needed still in the end I believe we go the W. Helms route b/c he is cheaper than Hinske and he can backup Chipper and Freeman, plus in a pinch Helms could run out to LF , he did it for a few times his first stint in ATL. J. Mather, D. Ross, B. Conrad are all locks to return to ATL bench in 2011 however we still need a good bench hitter / OF and a Utility IF . Hinkse and Everett each should just get one year deals worth around $1.5 each and be done with it. Also resigning J. Thurston for IF minor league depth would be a good insurance move as well.
As for CF, really if we are not gonna try and get upton from the Rays we should just see if Nate can come back within the first three mths of the season and if not then ship him off for a decent CF to get by with for the rest of the 2011 season. Nate is due for a huge rebound year however, although I am still doubting him like many on here and why not after last season. Plus if Nate’s struggles we have a young M. Young just dying for chance to be in ATL asap.
Also forget about getting Benoit from the free agent market just got locked up today : Link below
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/11/tigers-reach-agreement-with-joaquin-benoit.html
Holty_Panthers_Fan - November 19, 2010
Five years from now.
Uggla will not be a good player. We do not want any part of giving him a five-year extension. Uggla came up to the majors when he was older. He’ll be a free agent next offseason for the first time heading into his age 32 season. We don’t want to give him more than three years and he will insist on more (because he is smart, he knows that after three years he’ll never get the same money he would now).
cavebird - November 19, 2010
We do need a good defensive UT inflielder, however.
Especially one that plays SS, because Gonzo can’t play every inning of every game. Second base is not that big a concern to me; if we want to make the defensive switch, we bring in a good defensive OF for left, take Uggla out, and move Prado to second.
As for BJ Upton, we don’t have the salary room after getting Uggla.
cavebird - November 19, 2010
Pretty Good Splits
Maybe he’ll name his next kid Turner?
/Chippered
vooodooo - November 19, 2010
let's make it more than 200 ABs
Let’s say Uggla had exactly 201 ABs in Florida and Atlanta, and for the sake of his potential to “break the trend”, let’s take the extreme route and say he went 27-for-27 in Florida and 0-for-20 in Atlanta. His average at each stadium would then be:
Florida: .323 avg
Atlanta: .318 avg
So, even in the most extreme condition, an 0-for-20 streak, which would never happen with a hitter like Uggla, who doesn’t ever have a stretch of more than 10 or so ABs without a hit AND a strikeout, he’d still be a great hitter in Atlanta…and obviously a 27-for-27 streak would make you a “great hitter” in any ballpark.
There are other things to look at though. What were the splits for the Braves’ pitchers he faced for ATL vs FLA, Home vs Away, etc. He may have faced a great deal of pitchers who just simply pitch better in Florida. However, I doubt it.
I’ve always remembered Uggla tearing us up at home, so let’s all hope he can continue hitting the seams off the ball when he comes to play for us!
elevenforbraves - November 19, 2010
Uggla's like Conrad
Except way better.
They both:
Play 2B
Are brolic
Are short
Hit bombbsssss
Dont hit for much of an AVG
nick9314 - November 19, 2010
Uggla
I know it’s heresy to fight the Interwebz memes, but can someone actually provide some statistical evidence for the belief that Uggla will take an offensive nose dive in his mid-30s? That seems to be the CW, but I don’t see any significant danger signs in his BB%, K%, or other key categories (ISO has remained strong, even playing half his games in Fla.).
And no, “his is the sort of body that does not age well” is not statistical evidence.
Yakker - November 19, 2010
It's hard to provide statistical evidence when one guesses....
….and it’s just a guess, really. But it’s one that makes sense. His defense is already pretty terrible, and with age, a player’s range obviously gets worse. But yeah, there’s nothing I can say that you already don’t know.
I think he’ll remain an offensive threat in his mid-30’s, but it’s not likely to come from the 2B position.
Undocorkscrew - November 19, 2010
Fair enough
It makes sense, but I was just wondering if there was something in Uggla’s #s I wasn’t seeing.
But yes, obviously 2Bs that are already defensively suspect at age 30 probably won’t age well. I just feel like the meme on this one has morphed from the typical “guys who play the pivot don’t age well” to “Uggla is about to fall off a cliff,” which I personally don’t see.
Yakker - November 19, 2010
It think it's more body type and style of play...
that leads people to think of Mo Vaughan, among others.
Mr. Sanchez - November 19, 2010
That's crazy
Uggla’s 5’10, 200 lbs. Vaughan had over 50 lbs. on him.
Yakker - November 19, 2010
Ladies and gents, your new second baseman...
sddbaker - November 19, 2010
I don’t know if anyone watches wrestling, but Uggla looks like Randy Orton when he first started.
dlkinser86 - November 22, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Talking Chop to post a comment.