Atlanta Braves 2009 report card - Positional players

October 12, 10:15 PMAtlanta Braves ExaminerRyan Harings

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The Braves' may not have made the playoffs, but they did execute an impressive turnaround from a season ago. In the first of many articles reviewing the 2009 season, I'll be taking a look at the hitters - every positional player with at least 50 at bats will go under my microscope. All of the players are graded based on what was expected of them.

The A students

Yunel Escobar - A

528 AB, 26 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, .299 BA, .377 OBP, .436 SLG

Escobar was a consistent threat throughout the season and has become one of the NL's best hitting shortstops. Only Troy Tulowitzki (who plays in Coors) and Hanley Ramirez (who is Superman) posted a higher OPS among NL shortstops.

Martin Prado - A+

450 AB, 38 2B, 11 HR, .307 BA, .358 OBP, .464 SLG

Excluding Chase Utley, no other NL second baseman posted better numbers in 2009 than the surprising Martin Prado. The unheralded Prado bashed 38 doubles and has shed his label as career utility-man.

Adam LaRoche - A

212 AB, 11 2B, 1 3B, 12 HR, .325 BA, .401 OBP, .557 SLG

LaRoche came over in a mid-season trade to add some power to a lethargic Braves' lineup - and did he ever. Acting like he had never left, the first baseman helped carry Atlanta's offense through a frenzied playoff push.

The B Students

Garrett Anderson - B

496 AB, 27 2B, 13 HR, .268 AVG, .303 OBP, .401 SLG

Anderson was what Anderson always has been - a consistent hitter with some obvious drawbacks. He hit for some power, but the team needed more from it's corner outfielders.

Brian McCann - B+

488 AB, 35 2B, 1 3B, 21 HR, .281 BA, .349 OBP, .486 SLG

McCann had a very good year and remains one of the top hitting catchers in baseball - but his numbers across the board were down for a year ago. This was an offensively challenged Atlanta team, and they needed McCann to come up with a monster year.

Matt Diaz - B

371 AB, 18 2B, 4 3B, 13 HR, .313 BA, .390 OBP, .488 SLG

Diaz came back from an injury plagued 2008 season in splendid fashion. Once again, he crushed lefties, hit for some power and played with an emotional edge. The general feeling, however, is he's still better as a platoon option.

Nate McLouth - B

339 AB, 20 2B, 1 3B, 11 HR, .257 BA, .354 OBP, .419 SLG

McLouth played well after coming over from Pittsburgh. He isn't in the upper-echelon of hitting outfielders, but he does bring a unique combination of speed and power that is lacking in the Atlanta attack.  I expect his numbers to be slightly better across the board next season as he'll be fully healthy and acclimated to the ball club.

David Ross - B+

128 AB, 9 2B, 7 HR, .273 BA, .380 OBP, .508 SLG

Ross was one of the better off-season moves for Frank Wren. He hit well when given the opportunity and allowed Brian McCann to get a few extra days off.

Omar Infante - B

203 AB, 9 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, .305 BA, .361 OBP, .389 SLG

Infante missed a good deal of time after getting drilled in the hand by a Manny Corpas fastball. As always, he was effective with the at bats he had.

Thats it for today, tomorrow will be the second part - featuring sluggers like Jeff Francoeur, Kelly Johnson and Greg "Thunder" Norton.