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3 Atlanta Braves players that disappointed us in 2019

By Josh Mathews

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: A.J. Minter #33 of the Atlanta Braves makes a late throw to first base, on a infield hit from Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scoring Justin Turner #10 for a 6-4 lead, during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: A.J. Minter #33 of the Atlanta Braves makes a late throw to first base, on a infield hit from Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scoring Justin Turner #10 for a 6-4 lead, during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 26: Drew Butera #25 of the Colorado Rockies slides in to score behind Tyler Flowers #25 of the Atlanta Braves in the seventh inning of an MLB game at SunTrust Park on April 26, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 26: Drew Butera #25 of the Colorado Rockies slides in to score behind Tyler Flowers #25 of the Atlanta Braves in the seventh inning of an MLB game at SunTrust Park on April 26, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

With the Atlanta Braves season coming to a painful close, many fans turn to the what-ifs to figure out how and why it all went wrong.

While only one of the following players really had an impact in the playoffs, it’s worth noting for the ‘what-ifs’ that if these players had better seasons for the Atlanta Braves, who knows what could have really happened.

If you’re the glass half empty kind of fan, you’ll enjoy this.

Tyler Flowers

One of the Atlanta Braves fans’ favorite whipping boys actually did have a disappointing season. Now was it as bad as some people believe? No. Does he still make this list? Yes.

Tyler Flower’s offensive numbers are in line with those from last season, but they aren’t in line with those from his first two seasons, which is what I think Atlanta Braves fans don’t realize. This season was nearly a clone of 2018, and in some ways, better.

In 2016 and 2017, Flowers hit .270 and .281 with 20 home runs. In 2018 and 2019, he hit .227 and .229 with 19 home runs. His production of 90 RBI in 2016/2017 dropped to 64 RBI in 2018/2019.

Flowers just hasn’t hit at the same rate as he did the two first years the Atlanta Braves had him. A lower batting average certainly contributes to less production.

And for the past two seasons, he was certainly playing in a better overall offense.

Defensively, 2019 was a tough season for Flowers as well. According to baseball prospectus, He ranked 4th and 3rd respectively in 2017 and 2018 in pitching framing. In 2019, he dropped down to 9th.

He was the 6th worst catcher in terms of blocking runs. He allowed 16 pass balls in just 83 games, which led the major leagues despite Flowers being a part-time catcher.

Now, Flowers, along with Kurt Suzuki and Brian McCann have given the Atlanta Braves good reason not to go out and spend a bunch of money on a free agent catcher the past three seasons.

2017/2018: .257/20/79 (Flowers) .276/31/100 (Suzuki)

2019: .229/11/34 (Flowers) .249/12/45 (McCann)

So, in 2017 and 2018, Atlanta Braves catchers averaged about a .265 batting average with 25 home runs and 90 RBI.

While that production was down in 2019, it was still quite serviceable at about .238 with 23 home runs and 78 RBI.

Now, the offseason predicament is this: Do we pick up Tyler Flowers’ option and try to pair him with another catcher that will be part-time? Or, do we decline Tyler Flowers’ option and go after a catcher that will play close to every day, like a Yasmani Grandal should the Milwaukee Brewers let him become available?

Time will tell on that one, but T-Flo could definitely provide the Atlanta Braves a boost in 2020 if he returns to his prior form.

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