Alarming Numbers

A few minutes ago I was checking up on Atlanta’s young studs in the Arizona Fall League.

Pitching wise they have been doing excellent. The only run allowed by the 3 pitchers was by Stephen Marek. That run also happened to be unearned.

I checked in on Van Pope and saw his power numbers are still low, but that can change. Next I checked in on the budding star Tyler Flowers.

In 39 at bats he has 11 runs scored, 16 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, and 8 runs batted in.  Pretty impressive huh? As I go along the stat line I find my way to strikeouts. Whoops. 12 K’s in 39 at bats. We have a problem my friends.

That comes out to an average of a 30% strikeout rate. As in 3 times per 10 at bats. That is not very good. Already he is showing signs of becoming a Ryan Howard type player. Not in the sense of hitting baseballs that have changed area codes. But in the sense of racking up strikeouts. Already he has about as many K’s as Peyton Manning has commercials. That is not good.

I know, I know, he is young, things can change. But before we go saying how amazing he is we need to take everything into consideration. This could be either a lack of experience or a sign of things to come. Hopefully it isn’t the later of the two.

12 comments

  3. Darion

    November 1
    Flowers played DH and had 1 HR, 1 2B 2RBIs 4 at bats, 2 runs, 2 Strikeouts, 2 walks. Another great night last night for him!!
    By the way 6 Hrs this season, 4 doubles and a .419 average.

    Reply
  5. hardballblog

    Like I said, he has shown excellent power numbers but is racking up the K’s. I would like to see him cut down on those before advancing any further in the organization. It seems like he either hits it and it finds a hole or he Ks. Those balls won’t find holes forever. We will just have to see him progress further. Van Pope is also looking good. He makes good contact, especially in what is considered a pitcher’s league.

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  6. Darion

    Yep. I think he can replace Chipper in a few years if he stays impressive. If Flowers can continue with the high average and power numbers we will either move him to the outfield or the infield or trade him for a big name player.
    http://darion.mlblogs.com/

    Reply
  7. Darion

    Today Braves players

    Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
    Medlen 2.0 2 0 0 0 3 0 1.38
    Marek 1.0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0.00

    Player AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
    Pope 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .292

    Marek’s run was unearned but otherwise the pitchers did good. Just a bad day for Pope but it happens.

    Reply
  12. alycat@gmx.com

    what cubsy siad is true so if i was you i wouldnt worry about the young guys and i would just worry about the older guys like chipper jones!!

    Reply

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