| McCann working on consistency | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 17 2008, 11:52 AM (143 Views) | |
| ttiger2004 | Feb 17 2008, 11:52 AM Post #1 |
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We, as Braves fan, know just how good Brian McCann is, especially me. But when others talk about good young catchers, the names that come up are Joe Mauer and Russell Martin. Brian McCann is never mention in that group. Bobby Cox believes that Brian needs to be mentioned in that group too.The only thing that those two catchers have that Brian doesn't is speed. Brian's numbers are actually better than both of them. McCann is the only other catcher besides Pudge Rodriguez who has been selected to the All Star Game the last two season. Yet our own Brian McCann can't get any respect. Yet this off season, he goes and works on his strength and flexibility.
Coming from Chipper, that is high praise. I have read where Brian has gone to Chipper for hitting advice along with Terry P. and his dad. As for his struggles last year, McCann doesn't use his injuries as an excuse, he contributes it to bad mechanics. Trying to find the right stance. I like someone who doesn't use excuses like injuries as to why he had a "down year". If hitting 18 HR and 92 RBI's is a down year for a catcher, any team would take that. Only Martin had more HR's and he had 19.
When a veteran of Chipper's stature can say that about a young guy like Brian, that is saying a heck of a lot. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080216&content_id=2375570&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |
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| ttiger2004 | Feb 17 2008, 07:53 PM Post #2 |
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"I want to do the same thing every time I step to the plate, be consistent," he said. "This offseason in the cage I got to where I felt like I did in '06, that comfort at the plate, feeling real good, and realizing I can cover every pitch." If he is back to where he was in 06 at the plate, imagine the numbers he can possibly put up for the Braves in the 5 spot against RHP and in the 6 spot against LHP. I am telling you, the 3-6 spots in the lineup is going to be potent. We could have 4 guys possibly hit 30+ HR's and have 100 or more RBI's. Now that is would be sweet to see. http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/02/17/mccann_0218.html#Scene_1 |
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| Southpaw | Feb 17 2008, 08:21 PM Post #3 |
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AA Mississippi
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You also have to factor in the defense of Martin and Mauer though. |
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| ttiger2004 | Feb 17 2008, 08:55 PM Post #4 |
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Very true but it seems he has been working on that also. I think with what he worked on this off season, the flexibility, I think you will see the percentage of throwing out runners go out but the pitching staff also has to do their job in keeping runners close too. I am glad to see our young guys continue to work on all aspects of their games, both offensively and defensively then Frenchy, Mac and KJ to name a few. These guys are the future of the Braves and it can only get better from here on out. From the 20% Mac had throwing out runners, I would take a stab in the dark and say, between 25% to 27% rate of throwing out runners from Mac. |
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9:04 PM Jul 10
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But when others talk about good young catchers, the names that come up are Joe Mauer and Russell Martin. Brian McCann is never mention in that group. Bobby Cox believes that Brian needs to be mentioned in that group too.





9:04 PM Jul 10