The reason that the Atlanta Braves might really need an outfield bat
Splitsville
Duvall’s splits were fairly dramatic in 2019:
- LHP OPS: 1.130
- RHP OPS: .761
- Over his career: a much more pedestrian .791 vs .740 (which is a far cry better than his abysmal 2018 numbers)
Think Duvall might be able to sustain that LHP OPS in 2020? Maybe, but the history isn’t really on his side… and he wasn’t around in the majors long enough for teams to get a read on him in late 2019.
That might very well change in 2020.
As for Markakis in 2019:
- LHP OPS: .653
- RHP OPS: .816
- These are respectably close to his career split of .722/.808… yes, he’s indeed the picture of consistency.
Still, a ‘big bat’ would typically produce OPS numbers more like those of these players did in 2019:
- Marte: .845
- (Albies .850)
- Castellanos: .863
- Dozier: .870
- (Justin) Turner: .881
- Mancini: .899
- Donaldson: .900
- Bryant: .903
By the way – Marcel Ozuna? .804 in 2019… with a career average of .784. Probably not the ‘big bat’ you’re looking for.
The Markakis/Duvall combo looks good off the bench, or perhaps with Duvall getting those starts vs. left-handed starters, but just about about any name on that list just above would probably out-hit the projectable numbers for this platoon combination.
Trey Mancini? We’ve mentioned him a lot in these pages… and this is exactly why.
It’s not necessarily a terrible idea to go with Markakis and Duvall in left field – at least as a baseline to compare against – but certainly the Atlanta Braves should try to do better.
Next. Meanwhile... on the mound.... dark
Carrying a lineup that starts with five hitters flirting with .900 OPS’s? That would be something to fear in 2020. Of course that would require Donaldson… even before thinking about getting more.