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Atlanta Braves Bench Watch

By Alan Carpenter

Apr 8, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Jace Peterson (8) in the dugout before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Jace Peterson (8) in the dugout before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Pirates won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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This topic just refuses to go away – and when the Atlanta Braves lose games like they did last night, it will continue to be an issue until actually addressed.

We’ve only seen 13 games played thus far in this young Atlanta Braves‘ season.  Yet there’s a nagging feeling that this 6-7 record should be even better.

I’ve already complained about this team in 2 specific ways in the past 2 weeks:

In the first instance, we noted that the team did not need remedies to all of the flaws noted in order to start winning again.  That revelation has been borne out with a five-game win streak once these things suddenly happened:

  • Ender Inciarte suddenly started lofted baseballs out of the park and getting on base
  • The defense has tightened up considerably
  • The bullpen has improved

However, there has been one constant.

The bench.

Checking the Board

During the Braves’ six victories, here’s how the bench players have performed (note: only counting those used in a reserve role; not counting those starting in the place of Matt Kemp):

  • Peterson: 0-1, K (3B replacement) [4/5]
  • Bonifacio: 0-1, K (pinch hitter) [4/5]
  • d’Arnaud:  0-0 (pinch runner, run scored) [4/5]
  • Recker:      0-0 (C replacement) [4/5]
  • Bonifacio: 0-1 (pinch hitter) [4/12]
  • d’Arnaud:  0-0 (pinch runner) [4/12]
  • Recker:      0-0 (C replacement) [4/12]
  • Bonifacio: 0-1 (pinch hitter/LF, run scored) [4/14]
  • Camargo:  0-1, K (pinch hitter) [4/14]
  • Bonifacio: 0-2 (pinch hitter/LF) [4/16]
  • Camargo:  1-1, RBI (pinch hitter) [4/16]
  • Recker:      1-1 (pinch runner/C, run scored) [4/16]
  • d’Arnaud:  0-0 (pinch runner, scored) [4/17]
  • Bonifacio: 1-2, 2B (pinch hitter/LF) [4/17]
  • Recker:      0-1 (pinch hitter) [4/17]

Combined lines:  3 for 12, a double, 1 RBI, 3K, no walks.

During the seven losses, here are the lines:

More from Tomahawk Take

Peterson:  0-1, K (3B replacement) [4/3]

Bonifacio: 0-1 (pinch hitter) [4/6]

Peterson:  0-0 (pinch runner) [4/7]

Bonifacio: 0-1 (pinch hitter; reached/run scored) [4/7]

d’Arnaud:  1-1 (pinch runner/LF, run scored) [4/7]

Recker:      0-1,K (pinch hitter) [4/7]

Bonifacio: 0-0 (pinch runner) [4/8]

d’Arnaud:  0-1, K (pinch hitter) [4/8]

Bonifacio: 0-1 (pinch hitter) [4/9]

d’Arnaud:  0-1 (pinch runner/LF) [4/9]

Peterson: 0-1, RBI (pinch hitter) [4/11]

d’Arnaud:  0-1, K (pinch hitter) [4/11]

Camargo:  0-1, K* (pinch hitter; *reached base) [4/11]

Bonifacio: 0-2, K (pinch hitter/LF) [4/18]

d’Arnaud:  1-2, K (3B replacement) [4/18]

Camargo:  0-0 (pinch runner) [4/18]

Combined lines:  2-15, 1 RBI, 7K, no walks.

Conclusion?  Thus far, none of the bench players are making a significant contribution – even in the victories.  All together, they are 5 for 27 (.185) with 2RBI and 10K in their off-the-bench roles.

Though that’s still in the small-sample realm, it’s tough to imagine these numbers getting much better.

Overall, things probably look better than they really are.  Recker is hitting .333 (one hit in 3 AB), so is Camargo (1-3), and Peterson is at .313.

d’Arnaud is at .375, but if there are any crazy numbers on his line (aside from the 33% K rate), it’s the .600 BABIP… hence he is the only one in this group with 2 pinch hits.

Bonifacio?  On the Interstate… hitting “I-82”.

But it’s that pinch hitting role that seems to be the most problematic for all of these players.

Prescription Medicine

As for remedies, so far Ryan Howard is the only new possibility on the horizon, and we literally have no idea how that experiment might go. Could be helpful… but hard to gauge at this point.

Not to be forgotten is Micah Johnson… though he, like Howard… will need probably another month or more before being considered for major league action.

Getting Matt Kemp back this week could make this entire point moot, but this team will constantly remain one injury away from having to ask more from a scant bench.  Kemp yesterday…. Flowers today… etc.

Next: All Fired Up

We’ve discussed at length the bench fish that got away, and with everything quiet on the rumor front, it appears that the Braves are going to stay the course with those they already have in house.

But how good would a 7-6 or 8-5 record look right now – even before Kemp returns?

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