Atlanta Braves: the real problem with the catchers being hurt

Sure, the Braves got off to a good start vs. Philadelphia, but now that the Nationals are in town, we’re starting to learn about the real problems. Hint: it’s the catchers.

The 2018 Atlanta Braves are now 2-2 on the year. That still puts us well within the “don’t panic/don’t over-react” part of the season’s schedule, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t point out the obvious.

Frankly, the lineup isn’t that scary, but that’s especially true without either Tyler Flowers or Kurt Suzuki present.

In 2017, the Braves had 18 players make 50 or more plate appearances. Of those players:

The total offensive WAR (by fangraphs’ reckoning) adds up to -15.3. Yes, that’s a negative number.
Kurt Suzuki scored 10.6
Tyler Flower scored 9.8
Only Freddie Freeman (35.0) beat them
The next closest hitter was Matt Adams at 6.8
The Braves’ catching tandem tallied the best offensive numbers of any catchers in the game

For the record, Ozzie Albies notched 6.6 in his 35% of the season – but he and Freeman are the only other players currently active on the 2018 team that actually resembles an offensive threat.

The Braves are simply lacking any kind of punch right now – which is precisely why Freeman has a 40% walk rate: 20 plate appearances, 8 walks.

Flowers left the first game without completing a single AB. Suzuki managed 6 (with a .333 hitting average) before two HBPs sidelined him.

In their stead, a couple of players have stepped up at least a bit: Dansby Swanson has been a bit streaky and Ryan Flaherty took advantage of the chance for a ‘revenge’ game against the Phillies.

Preston Tucker has been admirably holding his own, but by contrast Ozzie Albies has been off to a slow start (though his triple was anything but slow!).

But all of that continues to show that there’s precious little meat on the bone of this lineup, which is clearly taking the bat right out of Freddie Freeman’s hands.

The Contrast

Ironically, the presence of the Nationals tends to show the impact of a lineup that isn’t built around the performance of a single player.

Bryce Harper is getting (from the Braves, at least) the walk treatment. Last night, he was walked 4 times in 6 plate appearances. Of course he also homered in one of those non-walking moments.

But he also scored 3 times last night – meaning that somebody else in the lineup drove him in twice.

That’s the case with the Washington team: eight of them are currently in positive numbers with that fangraphs’ offensive rating score.

The Braves do have seven right now, but Suzuki, Lane Adams (who homered off of a position player) and Ryan Flaherty are among them.

So it’s unfortunate, but it’s also pretty clear: without the presence of Braves’ primary catchers, the offense will struggle to score against anything resembling quality pitching.

Glimmers of hope?

More from Tomahawk Take

Johan Camargo should be back by the end of the work week. Just hope quickly he can regain his timing as a hitter is unknown since he has been sidelined for most of the Spring.

The big change, of course, won’t be felt until the end of next week when Ronald Acuna, Jr. arrives.

Tyler Flowers could be out for all of April and into May (since teams are not inclined to rush oblique injuries), but Suzuki could play again soon – he’s up to ’emergency catcher’ status and was not added to the disabled list after his hand injury.

Getting this trio of hitters into the lineup would certainly give Freeman some help. Getting Albies into gear would as well.

But while we wait, runs will be tough to come by – which in turn puts the onus back onto the pitching staff to keep the opposition at bay.

Next: Another need is healing up

Heal quickly, guys. We need you back.

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