Ryan Braun

[wade]

Is there any hope at all for a sophomore slump out of this guy? I look at what he did last year and his big bunch of strikeouts vs. very little walks is about the only thing that gives me even a hint that he won't kill the ball again.

 

Someone please tell me his BABIP was 100 points above league average or something. I do not want to see this kid combine with Fielder to ruin a chance at a weak division for the Cubs.

[Little Slide Rooter]

If offense were the only important thing, wed have to worry about Houston and Cincy as well. While we may not have a heart of the lineup like Milwaukie or Houston, we have the best all around team in the Central.

 

Besides, how much longer do you think that Boras will let Fielder, one of his top guys linger in Milwaukie?

[Soul]

Braun will manage to cost the Brewers at least 5 games in the field, no matter where he plays. As for the hitting, I don't think there's going to be a sophomore slump. He'll be good.

[Roast]

Braun will manage to cost the Brewers at least 5 games in the field,

And save ten with his bat.

[YearofDaCubs]

I'm not anticipating a soph slump either. He's too damn good.

[javy knows my name]

Only way to slow this guy down would be to put him in Petco

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Braun is definitely regressing this year. There's simply no way in the world he's hitting .450/.516/.964/1.480 against LHP again, and he was a kinda mediocre .282/.319/.526/.845 against RHP.

[cbbryan]

Braun is definitely regressing this year. There's simply no way in the world he's hitting .450/.516/.964/1.480 against LHP again, and he was a kinda mediocre .282/.319/.526/.845 against RHP.

 

I agree. He'll come down to earth a bit, but he's still going to hit well. Just not at the clip he did last year.

[TruffleShuffle]

Braun is definitely regressing this year. There's simply no way in the world he's hitting .450/.516/.964/1.480 against LHP again, and he was a kinda mediocre .282/.319/.526/.845 against RHP.

 

some would argue that his numbers are likely to improve against rhp, though.

[cbbryan]

Braun is definitely regressing this year. There's simply no way in the world he's hitting .450/.516/.964/1.480 against LHP again, and he was a kinda mediocre .282/.319/.526/.845 against RHP.

 

some would argue that his numbers are likely to improve against rhp, though.

 

They very well may. Overall his numbers will be a little bit down, but I think it will still be very respectable.

[cheapseats]

Braun is definitely regressing this year. There's simply no way in the world he's hitting .450/.516/.964/1.480 against LHP again, and he was a kinda mediocre .282/.319/.526/.845 against RHP.

 

some would argue that his numbers are likely to improve against rhp, though.

 

It's true that younger players are often able to improve their platoon splits. It's also true that career platoon splits are more predictive than single season splits, and Braun had a massive split in his minor league career.

 

I've got him in most of my fantasy leagues, so I don't expect him to regress too much.

[nilodnayr]

His bat will come down to earth a bit (it couldn't possibly not), but he still will be one of the better hitters in the game. But the marginal loss in his offense will be more than made up with costing his team less runs on defense and also not having to be pulled out of every game they have the lead in for a defensive replacement.

[RedFlash]

Braun will manage to cost the Brewers at least 5 games in the field,

And save ten with his bat.

 

Not if Ned Yost keeps double-switching him out of the lineup late in games, he won't. But yeah, I do see Braun regressing a little bit.

[rawaction]

His bat will come down to earth a bit (it couldn't possibly not)

 

That's what people said about Pujols after his first season. I'd say Braun is a better bet than Pujols was at the time to keep up the numbers. Doesn't mean he will....just sayin'. Ironically, didn't Pujols make a similar move from 3B to LF between his 1st 2 seasons?

[wade]

Braun is definitely regressing this year. There's simply no way in the world he's hitting .450/.516/.964/1.480 against LHP again, and he was a kinda mediocre .282/.319/.526/.845 against RHP.

 

That's what I wanted to hear.

[BigbadB]

I think Braun will regress a bit, but I also believe that Corey Hart, Billy Hall and Rickie Weeks will do better than they did in '07.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

A nagging achilles injury could be what slows him down.

 

Link.

 

Ryan Braun was scratched from the Brewers' lineup today with "right Achilles tightness," the second time in five days he was removed for that same problem.

 

Braun now will have played just once in the last five games

[Ender]

Braun is a pure hitter, power to all fields. I doubt he repeats last year but he'll still be a great hitter. His plate discipline was better in the minors too so you can expect it to improve this year so he'll lose AVG but probably keep the OBP about the same. He won't cost 5 wins on defense either, not even Manny does that in LF.

[illiniguy]

I think Braun will regress a bit, but I also believe that Corey Hart, Billy Hall and Rickie Weeks will do better than they did in '07.

I can see Weeks and Hall, but you really think Hart s that good? I thought he had a heck of a year last year and might struggle to do that again.

[TruffleShuffle]

braun cost the brewers around 25 runs in the field last year, which is really amazing. he has to be one of the worst defensive third basemen of all time.

[Ender]

I think Braun will regress a bit, but I also believe that Corey Hart, Billy Hall and Rickie Weeks will do better than they did in '07.

I can see Weeks and Hall, but you really think Hart s that good? I thought he had a heck of a year last year and might struggle to do that again.

 

 

He did have a .913 and .951 OPS his last two years in AAA, .929 OPS in A+, .937 OPS in rookie ball. Not like last year came out of nowhere. I don't know if I'd put him down for an improvement but i don't think it was a fluke either.

[XZero771679666304]

I think Braun will regress a bit, but I also believe that Corey Hart, Billy Hall and Rickie Weeks will do better than they did in '07.

I can see Weeks and Hall, but you really think Hart s that good? I thought he had a heck of a year last year and might struggle to do that again.

 

 

He did have a .913 and .951 OPS his last two years in AAA, .929 OPS in A+, .937 OPS in rookie ball. Not like last year came out of nowhere. I don't know if I'd put him down for an improvement but i don't think it was a fluke either.

 

I think he's good for a .900 OPS, but not 1.000 again.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

he's going to give up baseball and concentrate on his music career full-time

[Anthony]

Braun will manage to cost the Brewers at least 5 games in the field, no matter where he plays. As for the hitting, I don't think there's going to be a sophomore slump. He'll be good.

 

 

You realize that the best players having the best seasons only "win" 9 or ten games a year for their club. Braun would have to be the worst defender ever to cost the Brewers five games.

[OleMissCub]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080303/capt.5b37772400f8455f9f5a4a77c7d1474e.brewers_braun_baseball_azmg201.jpg

 

Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun can't make a catch at the wall at baseball spring training in this, Feb. 21, 2008 file photo, in Phoenix. The 24-year old Braun is adjusting to a new position in left field. Last year, he committed 26 errors in 112 starts, numbers he has called embarrassing.

 

Smalls: How do I catch it?

Benny: Just stand out there and stick your glove out in the air. I'll take care of it.