Atlanta Braves: 5 requirements for the Braves to win the NL East in 2019
By Clint Manry
5. Limit the Walks
In 2018 the Braves produced some hideous walk-rate stats by the starters and bullpen. Overall, the Braves had the highest rates in Major League Baseball in BB/9, total walks and BB%.
All three of these were the highest in MLB:
- 3.92 BB/9
- 635 walks
- 10.3 BB%
If those numbers aren’t bad enough, remember the game last September against the Washington Nationals?
History. This marks the first time in Atlanta history (since 1966) the Braves have issued 13 walks in a game consisting of nine innings or less. The last time they had done so was May 6, 1938, when they were the Boston Bees.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 15, 2018
Yuck. That’s one record that I hope to never see the Braves even come close to breaking again.
The leaders of The Walk Party were Sean Newcomb for the starting pitchers, and Sam Freeman for the bullpen in 2018. Newcomb finished at 4.41 BB/9 and Freeman with an even worse 5.72 BB/9… among those with at least 50 innings.
The blame cannot be solely placed on those two guys, as free-passes were a team-wide problem in 2018. It seemed like every pitcher on the team had trouble with chronic episodes of walks at some point in the season.
The LA Dodgers were the best in the National League in 2018 when it came to walk prevention, with a rate of 2.57 BB/9. The Mets paced the NL East with 2.98 BB/9.
The Braves don’t have to be a sub-3.00 team (it would be nice), but they need to work to be a sub-3.50 team for sure, though.
Not only are high walk-rates detrimental to the team, but it’s an unbearable problem to watch. If the Braves want to be a threat in the division, then they must limit the walks.
Coaching Change
One solution to the staff’s issues with walks was the hiring of Richard Kranitz to be the Braves new Pitching Coach. Kranitz is a very reputable coach in the Major Leagues and should bring a great deal of knowledge to the pitching group.
Rick Kranitz helped mold the #Phillies into one of baseball's best young rotations.@coryjmccartney and @Zach_Dillard discuss the #Braves' newest addition to the coaching staff.#ChopcastLIVE https://t.co/U3EOG8IOos
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) December 6, 2018
Kranitz has had stints with the Phillies, Brewers and Marlins; but he is widely known for his work in Milwaukee with the Brew Crew.
In 2012, while Kranitz was the Pitching Coach for the Brewers, the starting-staff finished with the second-highest strikeout total in Major League history at the time.
Also notable, was Kranitz’s 2006 season with the Florida Marlins. He was voted Major League Coach of the Year, and Kranitz would help lead four different Rookies on the staff to win atleast 10 games that season, the first time that had occurred in Major League history.
Adding Richard Kranitz to the coaching staff was a great addition for the Braves, and should pay off this upcoming season. Even though it’s early, the group already looks improved in just the few games they’ve played in Spring Training.