Who do you think SHOULD be the Starting Left Fielder?

[CB1]

Hoping to spark a debate with this one. :D


Vote for this poll in this thread (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/f-poll-center-23/t-who-do-you-think-should-be-the-starting-left-fielder-2832.html).

[jschafer5]

You probably will start a debate...I voted for Langerhans...That should start a debate with chief, lol...

[CB1]

I'm going with Matt Diaz, one, because being on Chief's bad side is not a good thing. :D
And two, because I feel that he has outperformed the other 2 so far, and also he outperformed Langy last year.
By the way, the Other category stands for Chief Knockahoma and McCarroll21. :D

[KB 34]

Easy poll. Langerhans is playing well in spring and he brings great defense to a team that doesn't look to be a great defensive team this year even with Langerhans and Andruw playing together.

[CosmoBravo]

I go with Langerhans.

[McCarroll21]

How has Diaz outperformed the other two so far?

Langerhans - .378 (14/37), 2 HR, 2 2B
Diaz - .211 (8/38), 0 HR, 2 2B
Wilson - .306 (11/36), 2 HR, 1 2B

I know those are Spring Training numbers, but Langerhans is hitting against the same pitching Diaz is. Langerhans was not healthy last year. This is according to Kelly Johnson, he says Ryan was playing with a hurt wrist all year, so I'm not sure we can dash a man's hopes based on him being hurt.

Langerhans has a) a better glove than Diaz, b) more power than Diaz, c) is a better candidate to draw a walk and be moved ahead in front of a pitcher.

I think Diaz is a better pure hitter, but he's not a better overall hitter, nor a better #8 hitter. Diaz is a backup player, but will play good when awarded spurts of playing time. Langerhans is more consistent with what he does, he may not hit for as high of an average, though he has during Spring Training, but the difference in the OBP will probably give the edge to Langerhans.

I think Langerhans glove gives him the edge because they aren't THAT much different in terms of being at the plate. I know, I know ... Diaz hit .330 last year, but do you really expect him to do that again?

I think Diaz can hit .300 [.330 OBP] with 5-10 HR, while Langerhans can hit .270 [.360 OBP] with 10-15 HR given the same amount of ABs. It's not much of a difference, and when you factor in the GG defense Langerhans adds and the fact that Diaz is better suited to be a pinch hitter, the decision is easy for me.

Some say that LF is more of an offensive position and you shouldn't worry about defense as much there, but that's also factoring in that a team typically has a no hit CF, which we don't, and a no hit C, which we don't. The reason I prefer defense is because of how bad our infield defense can be. The better our OFs can come in and help the infielders on balls popped behind the infield, the better off we'll be. Taking away singles, turning doubles into singles, etc. is something we need because of the amount of groundballs that could sneak through the infield. Our pitchers could give up a few runs in an inning without having a ball hit hard if they are hit to the right spot.

I didn't include Wilson in this because I think he will be platooning with Thorman at 1B by May 1.

[CB1]

I actually meant in the last two years, but that was a typo on my part.
Good stats though.
I wish I had voted for other...

[gilley22]

Matt Diaz is not the superior hitter some people make him out to be. That was a great post by McCarroll, saved me a lot of time.

Diaz doesn't takes walks, and he doesn't hit for power. If you have an extreme lack of either of those things, you better make up for it by excelling at the other(Francoeur doesn't take walks, but hits for power; Gregor Blanco has no power, but takes a lot of walks). To be successful, Matt Diaz has to hit .330, and that's just not happening in a full time role.....it's not. As an everyday player, Matt Diaz would make no significant contribution to his team.

[at65]

Oh, that's an easy question. No one should start; there should be a platoon. Langerhans can only hit lefties; Diaz hits well against righties. Langerhans will end up with the same PT as Diaz because he'll come in as a defensive replacement for the 3 outfield positions.

[CosmoBravo]

How has Diaz outperformed the other two so far?

Langerhans - .378 (14/37), 2 HR, 2 2B
Diaz - .211 (8/38), 0 HR, 2 2B
Wilson - .306 (11/36), 2 HR, 1 2B

I know those are Spring Training numbers, but Langerhans is hitting against the same pitching Diaz is. Langerhans was not healthy last year. This is according to Kelly Johnson, he says Ryan was playing with a hurt wrist all year, so I'm not sure we can dash a man's hopes based on him being hurt.

Langerhans has a) a better glove than Diaz, b) more power than Diaz, c) is a better candidate to draw a walk and be moved ahead in front of a pitcher.

I think Diaz is a better overall hitter, but he's not a better #8 hitter. Diaz is a backup player, but will play good when awarded spurts of playing time. Langerhans is more consistent with what he does, he may not hit for as high of an average, though he has during Spring Training, but the difference in the OBP will probably give the edge to Langerhans.

I think Langerhans glove gives him the edge because they aren't THAT much different in terms of being at the plate. I know, I know ... Diaz hit .330 last year, but do you really expect him to do that again?

I think Diaz can hit .300 [.330 OBP] with 5-10 HR, while Langerhans can hit .270 [.360 OBP] with 10-15 HR given the same amount of ABs. It's not much of a difference, and when you factor in the GG defense Langerhans adds and the fact that Diaz is better suited to be a pinch hitter, the decision is easy for me.

Some say that LF is more of an offensive position and you shouldn't worry about defense as much there, but that's also factoring in that a team typically has a no hit CF, which we don't, and a no hit C, which we don't. The reason I prefer defense is because of how bad our infield defense can be. The better our OFs can come in and help the infielders on balls popped behind the infield, the better off we'll be. Taking away singles, turning doubles into singles, etc. is something we need because of the amount of groundballs that could sneak through the infield. Our pitchers could give up a few runs in an inning without having a ball hit hard if they are hit to the right spot.

I didn't include Wilson in this because I think he will be platooning with Thorman at 1B by May 1.

You summarized my thoughts perfectly. Completely agree.

[TheMatrix31]

Langerhans. I think we have enough offense, but if we see that we need more offense in the lineup, then we could put Diaz in there and see how he does.

Keep Wilson fresh for a platoon @ 1B should Thorman do horribly, which I'm not necessarily expecting, but just in case.

[CB1]

I'm changing my vote to other.
If Mccarroll can run a site full of all of us nutcases, then he can certainly play left field for the Braves.
:D

[Adam's Army]

Me

But honestly i say platoon, neither of them has done anything to prove they are a superior option to anyone else

[JayDonnelly10]

Langerhans! Id rather have Diaz's bat coming off the bench....I like Langerhans defense a lot and i think he'll do god things with his bat this season!

[Nasadega]

Diaz.
Everybody is saying Langy's bat is gonna come along but I haven't seen anything like that already in his MLB career. And if you think ST stats have to decide that, then let's go with a Miller/Wilson/Prado/Pena JR/Escobar/Langy/Jones/Frenchy roster, w00t!
Langy will be much better suited for CF next year, but until his butter bat does what Diaz's bat does, he'll stay on the bench when he's not platooning.

[ajones2522]

I voted for other because I want to see a platoon, but a rather unconventional one. I'd like to see Wilson bat against lefties and Diaz against right-handers.

Batting Langerhans vs. lefties won't work because his .300 average is in 100+ at-bats and he has only hit one homer off of a lefty in his career.

Wilson mashes lefties and Diaz mashes right-handers. I'd also give Diaz some days off to get Langerhans some playing time. I'm just not sold on what Langerhans brings to the table full-time. His defense is great but his slumps at the plate are hideous. I might change my tune slightly if he wasn't so worthless for weeks at a time last year.

I think a year of Wilson/Diaz in left would bring some really solid production.

[CanadaBravesFan]

I voted for Ryan-o because of his D. That side of the field already has Chipper and Renteria, so putting a slow guy who doesn't have range hurts our team defense. As stated earlier, Langerhans gets on base and is the better baserunner.

[BGarrett7]

I honestly believe that Diaz peaked offensively last season. To expect anything even close to those numbers as an everyday player is just absurd. And to expect anything less out of Langerhans than we got last season, is equally absurd. I think we'll end up getting around the same offensive numbers out of both, possibly with Diaz having a slightly better SLG, and Ryan getting on base more often. That said, factoring in the obvious defensive disparity, I'll go with Langerhans.

[CB1]

I'm still wondering why Chief hasn't voted for Matt yet.
:D

[McCarroll21]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2805813

Jones and All-Star catcher Brian McCann each have used a foot-tapping timing device as a key for hitting success with the Atlanta Braves. Jones suggested Langerhans, who hit .241 last season, might try the same move as he competes for the starting job in left field.

The chat with Jones convinced Langerhans, who says he received the same advice from McCann late last season.

"I was talking with McCann about it because I wasn't staying back on the ball," Langerhans said. "Then I talked to Chipper about it when we were hunting, even though we try not to talk about baseball when we're out there."

Langerhans practiced the tap step through the winter so he'd be ready to put the timing mechanism to use in spring training.

So far, so good.

Langerhans has a .378 average and two homers as he competes with Matt Diaz and Craig Wilson to play in left field.

"He looks good to me," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He's hit the ball hard."

The left-handed hitting Langerhans briefly lifts his right foot in the batter's box and then sets it back down, thereby keeping his momentum from moving forward too quickly.

"I think it helps him to stay back," hitting coach Terry Pendleton said. "Basically, it's the same thing (Jones and McCann) do to make sure they keep their weight back."

-----

So I guess I could have made it it's own topic but I thought it went well here.

Maybe this new timing device is why Langerhans has such great spring numbers, not just the fact it's spring training.

[jones2510]

voted for ryan. i think he has better defense

[Vuchato]

I voted other. I want Miguel Cabrera

[CB1]

:rimshot:
OK, fine. We trade Mike Hampton's contract to the Marlins for Miguel Cabrera. They've paid him before...
:D

[at65]

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/L/Ryan-Langerhans.shtml

There just doesn't seem to be as much hitting promise in his career as people are making it out to be.

Now, there's a chance that he's still developing into a good hitter, maybe this new timing mechanism is going to help him greatly. However, we have to look at the facts. A handful of at-bats in spring training doesn't go very far to prove Langerhans' case. As of right now, he helps us with the D and hinders us with the bat.

Ultimately, on a championship caliber team, you have to get the absolute most out of your players. And if that's the case, there needs to be a platoon. Bobby Cox doesn't win division titles by blatantly playing favorites.

[CosmoBravo]

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/L/Ryan-Langerhans.shtml

There just doesn't seem to be as much hitting promise in his career as people are making it out to be.

Now, there's a chance that he's still developing into a good hitter, maybe this new timing mechanism is going to help him greatly. However, we have to look at the facts. A handful of at-bats in spring training doesn't go very far to prove Langerhans' case. As of right now, he helps us with the D and hinders us with the bat.

Ultimately, on a championship caliber team, you have to get the absolute most out of your players. And if that's the case, there needs to be a platoon. Bobby Cox doesn't win division titles by blatantly playing favorites.

I wouldn't say he hinders us with the bat. Heck, his OBP was higher than Diaz's whom hit .330. And, Langerhans actually hits for more power than Diaz. When you consider everything: baserunning, defense, hitting I think Langerhans is the choice, however, looking at the splits I think a platoon is justifiable, and probably the way to go.

[RaggledyFan]

I voted for Langerhans. Purely hands down the best defense, he runs very well and he has hit better this spring than any other choice. He has shown that he may be a better hitter this year than he was last year. I am Hopeful.

[jschafer5]

He(ryan) could be an unexpected key in winning the division...

[McCarroll21]

What hasn't been mentioned is that Ryan is entering that magical "27" year. If a hitter doesn't put it together around age 27, he typically won't. Ryan turned 27 in February so this is make it or break it year.

Examples of the 27 magic, look at our own Adam LaRoche last year in his magical 27 year.

[CB1]

And he (Matt) could do the same thing as Ajones said.
But you know what? One player will not be key for the Braves this year.
Every player has to give it his all in every game in order for them to win the division. That's how it should be. No matter who is the left fielder, the pitcher, the 2nd basemen, or the batboy, it will have to be a team effort. Front office, Dugout, everywhere. We need a team effort. And I'm confident of that.
There's my impassioned, inspiring speech.
:D

[cjones1999]

i voted matt diaz,whenever i got to see the two alternate in left'it seemed like matt did a better job

[grafe]

Langerhans is awesome and he rules and he is voted on by me

[Chief Knockahoma]

people are probably wondering why i haven't come in here and been spouting my Matt Diaz propaganda...and it's simple.

he hasn't done anything this spring that shows he should be on the team, let alone be the starting left fielder.

[gitrdone48]

I'm takin Langerhans in LF.

[Viva Rufino Linares!]

Gotta go w/ Langerhans...from all rpts he's been hitting this Spring and Diaz hasn't.

[Mitch]

langerhans .375 ba is a little decieving. in 40abs, hes got 15 k's and 4 bb. that means hes put the ball in play 21 times. of those 21 balls put in play, 15 were for hits. to me, that shows langerhans is getting lucky and having balls go through some holes and drop in gaps.

[BGarrett7]

langerhans .375 ba is a little decieving.In that it is spring training.

All that really needs to be said.

[CaptainCrunch]

langerhans

[McCarroll21]

I have moved this poll to the Poll Center, though I've left it open here to discuss. I thought we needed a new poll on the homepage. :D

[Viva Rufino Linares!]

Sometimes better lucky than good. Especailly in Langerhans case

[lmartin6]

that shows langerhans is getting lucky and having balls go through some holes and drop in gaps.

isn't that what base hitting is all about?

[cjones1999]

isn't that what base hitting is all about?

that and timing