Comparing the Rookies

After his firecracker start Dodgers rightfielder Yasiel Puig has faded like a spent rocket. Unlike Puig, Evan Gattis was a valuable part of the Braves strong finish, replacing slumping free agent signee BJ Upton in the outfield. Gattis finished the season with the most home runs and RBIs for a rookie, and hit the longest home run in the majors this season. Though he had 28 fewer at bats, Gattis led Puig in several offensive categories.

PL.…AB…2B…HR…rbi…K

EG…354…21…21…65…81

YP…382…21…19…42…97

In the last 26 games both Gattis and Freddie Freeman far exceeded Puig’s production. Most baseball experts would’ve thought Gattis would be the rookie to fade off toward the end of the season, since he had played the least amount of baseball over the past few seasons. But even with his all experience playing the heavy Cuban national team schedule, Puig was the one to fade.   

PL…R..…H…2B..HR.rbi…BB…K

FF…19…35…4…6…21…12…21

EG…11…25...7…6…18…02…22

YP…13…18…2…6…11…10…22

If the Braves don’t sign McCann next year, how will Gattis perform as the everyday catcher? Will his offense (batting average) improve? Will he get tired? I see Laird catching at least one game a week. Gattis seems so strong. If Gattis has a decent year offensively, he could spell Freeman at first base once or twice a month. Gattis does have a great arm, especially as a catcher. Catching 5-6 games per week would sharpen his catching skills.

Yahoo Sports published ESPN’s ten longest home runs of the season, of which Gattis had the longest. For some reason I read a lot of the comments. many were stupid: “I thought so and so had a 500 foot home run…why wasn’t it on the list?” or “No Yankees on the list?” and such and such. I went through and favorited all the Gattis comments and gave a thumbs down to all the dumb ones.

PL..AVG..OBP..SLG…OPS

FF…380…449…620…1.069

EG…255…270…510….780

YP…214…333…452….785

What is your opinion about leaving Uggla off the NLDS roster? His September stats were dismal. BJ’s were as well, and I wonder if BJ made the roster only so Justin wouldn’t pout. I could see Constanza and Reed Johnson get more playing time than BJ. With BJ going so bad, perhaps the SI cover jinx will work in reverse for him. Interesting that Sports Illustrated goes all year without a Braves cover – until the playoffs start. Last Thursday Johnny mentioned how Uggla and BJ weren’t even hitting well during BP. He said after on session one of them slammed their bat down on the ground.

What is Chris Johnson’s contract status? Do you think his helmet throwing habit will be a factor in his long term status with the Braves? Fredi said the post-game scuffle was a non-issue.

I had some free time last night on the computer and decided to check out my main man Puig.

Last week I published my Fair Catch Kick essay, and a few days later wonder why it generated so many hits (sixth most ever). Then I saw that the 49ers had attempted the first fair catch kick in five years just hours after I posted. Perhaps Jim Harbaugh reads my blog.