Friday, February 24, 2006
Around the Horn: Outfielders
02/08/2006
ATLANTA -- When general manager John Schuerholz began constructing the roster for the 1991 Braves team -- the one that began the club's current string of 14 consecutive division titles -- he focused on finding defensive players who would provide the necessary support for his talented cast of young hurlers.
Using that successful formula, Schuerholz has always made sure his club has possessed a top-notch center fielder to anchor what has annually been one of the game's finest defensive outfield trios. Whether it was Otis Nixon, Marquis Grissom, Kenny Lofton or Andruw Jones, the center fielder Schuerholz selected supplied his pitchers with a defender capable of covering both alleys and making a number of acrobatic catches.
With Jones, who has won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards, returning, a talented Braves starting rotation will once again have that confidence. It's enhanced by the knowledge that defensive wizards Jeff Francoeur and Ryan Langerhans will be manning the two corner outfield spots.
"Any time you can have a guy like Andruw out there, it's going to let you pitch with a lot more confidence," Tim Hudson said. "He covers so much ground and makes everybody around him that much better."
When Jones was flanked by J.D. Drew and Charles Thomas for the final three months of the 2004 season, some thought they were the best outfield trio the Braves had possessed during their historic streak of consecutive division titles.
But when Francoeur and Langerhans joined Jones for most of the second half of last season, there was reason to wonder if this trio was even better.
"I don't know if you can say which one was better," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "They were both really, really good."
Defensively, Jones has very few equals. In fact, some consider him one of the greatest defensive outfielders ever to play the game.
While time and normal wear may have caused him to lose a half-step, Jones, who will be 29 in April, still covers an enormous amount of the outfield grass and possesses an arm that is both strong and accurate.
Since Jones became Atlanta's starting center fielder in 1998, the Braves haven't had reason to worry about his defense. They simply were hoping he'd one day produce the strong offensive numbers that he managed to last year, when he finished second to Albert Pujols in balloting for the National League MVP Award.
Coming off a season in which he led the Majors with 51 homers and the NL with 128 RBIs, Jones seems intent on proving that last year wasn't a fluke. An offseason conditioning program focused on building strength has allowed him to come to camp with his body better defined than it ever has been.Jones isn't the only outfielder who is expected to be in camp when pitchers and catchers report next week. Francoeur, Langerhans and Kelly Johnson, who are all coming off successful rookie seasons, are also expected to be among the early arrivals.
"All these young guys, they're all hungry to start playing a new season," Jones said. "I'm right there with them. It's going to be exciting."
After making his Major League debut in early July, Francoeur proved to be Mr. Excitement with both his bat and glove. He hit .300 with 14 homers and 45 RBIs in just 257 at-bats.
Defensively, the 22-year-old right fielder was just as impressive. Appearing in the field in just 67 games, he still managed to record 13 assists -- a total that ranked second among all NL outfielders.
"He plays good defense and has a strong arm, too," said Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, just hours before an Aug. 13 game in which Francoeur homered and made two throws that led to two outs at the plate.
Like Francoeur, Langerhans has the speed and range of a center fielder. At times he may not have pinpoint precision, but his arm is certainly strong, especially when compared with other left fielders.
"He's a great outfielder," Cox said of Langerhans. "His defense is incredibly great."
Cox began playing Langerhans on a regular basis toward the end of last season, and the soon-to-be 26-year-old outfielder responded by hitting .333 in September. His progress offensively should allow him to remain in the lineup on a regular basis.
Before getting a regular role, Langerhans shared time with Johnson, who was having a strong rookie season before losing his sense for the strike zone. He has great athletic skills, but he didn't begin playing the outfield until 2004 and still has to improve his reads.
If the Braves choose to use a platoon in left field, they could use the right-handed Matt Diaz against left-handed pitchers. Both Langerhans and Johnson are left-handed hitters.
While playing for the Royals last year, Diaz batted .370 (54 at-bats) against left-handed pitchers. He was claimed off waivers in December and will come to camp as part of the 40-man roster.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
ATLANTA -- When general manager John Schuerholz began constructing the roster for the 1991 Braves team -- the one that began the club's current string of 14 consecutive division titles -- he focused on finding defensive players who would provide the necessary support for his talented cast of young hurlers.
Using that successful formula, Schuerholz has always made sure his club has possessed a top-notch center fielder to anchor what has annually been one of the game's finest defensive outfield trios. Whether it was Otis Nixon, Marquis Grissom, Kenny Lofton or Andruw Jones, the center fielder Schuerholz selected supplied his pitchers with a defender capable of covering both alleys and making a number of acrobatic catches.
With Jones, who has won eight consecutive Gold Glove Awards, returning, a talented Braves starting rotation will once again have that confidence. It's enhanced by the knowledge that defensive wizards Jeff Francoeur and Ryan Langerhans will be manning the two corner outfield spots.
"Any time you can have a guy like Andruw out there, it's going to let you pitch with a lot more confidence," Tim Hudson said. "He covers so much ground and makes everybody around him that much better."
When Jones was flanked by J.D. Drew and Charles Thomas for the final three months of the 2004 season, some thought they were the best outfield trio the Braves had possessed during their historic streak of consecutive division titles.
But when Francoeur and Langerhans joined Jones for most of the second half of last season, there was reason to wonder if this trio was even better.
"I don't know if you can say which one was better," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "They were both really, really good."
Defensively, Jones has very few equals. In fact, some consider him one of the greatest defensive outfielders ever to play the game.
While time and normal wear may have caused him to lose a half-step, Jones, who will be 29 in April, still covers an enormous amount of the outfield grass and possesses an arm that is both strong and accurate.
Since Jones became Atlanta's starting center fielder in 1998, the Braves haven't had reason to worry about his defense. They simply were hoping he'd one day produce the strong offensive numbers that he managed to last year, when he finished second to Albert Pujols in balloting for the National League MVP Award.
Coming off a season in which he led the Majors with 51 homers and the NL with 128 RBIs, Jones seems intent on proving that last year wasn't a fluke. An offseason conditioning program focused on building strength has allowed him to come to camp with his body better defined than it ever has been.Jones isn't the only outfielder who is expected to be in camp when pitchers and catchers report next week. Francoeur, Langerhans and Kelly Johnson, who are all coming off successful rookie seasons, are also expected to be among the early arrivals.
"All these young guys, they're all hungry to start playing a new season," Jones said. "I'm right there with them. It's going to be exciting."
After making his Major League debut in early July, Francoeur proved to be Mr. Excitement with both his bat and glove. He hit .300 with 14 homers and 45 RBIs in just 257 at-bats.
Defensively, the 22-year-old right fielder was just as impressive. Appearing in the field in just 67 games, he still managed to record 13 assists -- a total that ranked second among all NL outfielders.
"He plays good defense and has a strong arm, too," said Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin, just hours before an Aug. 13 game in which Francoeur homered and made two throws that led to two outs at the plate.
Like Francoeur, Langerhans has the speed and range of a center fielder. At times he may not have pinpoint precision, but his arm is certainly strong, especially when compared with other left fielders.
"He's a great outfielder," Cox said of Langerhans. "His defense is incredibly great."
Cox began playing Langerhans on a regular basis toward the end of last season, and the soon-to-be 26-year-old outfielder responded by hitting .333 in September. His progress offensively should allow him to remain in the lineup on a regular basis.
Before getting a regular role, Langerhans shared time with Johnson, who was having a strong rookie season before losing his sense for the strike zone. He has great athletic skills, but he didn't begin playing the outfield until 2004 and still has to improve his reads.
If the Braves choose to use a platoon in left field, they could use the right-handed Matt Diaz against left-handed pitchers. Both Langerhans and Johnson are left-handed hitters.
While playing for the Royals last year, Diaz batted .370 (54 at-bats) against left-handed pitchers. He was claimed off waivers in December and will come to camp as part of the 40-man roster.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
