Is Russell Branyan Blossoming Into A Geuine Hitter? - Page 2 - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

TeamBoone · 08-04-2002, 04:00 PM

He seems to really like it in Cincy and has nothing but good things to say about the hitting coach. It's nice to see guys come here and really enjoy it!

Scrap Irony · 08-04-2002, 04:04 PM

Between Branyan and Larson, the Reds have a choice to make. I don't think Boone will be SS in 2003, as Larkin and his contract will be the starter. (With good reason, as Larkin is still the bellweather cow to the offensive pasture in Cincinnati.)

With Pena and Mateo out of options after 2002, the real battle will be between Larson and Branyan as backup corner infielder and OF. That, IMO, is what they are battling for this season.

If Bowden is able to deal Walker, Casey, or Boone, both guys would be surer bets to stay with the Reds. However, a trade involving Casey is unlikely, a deal involving Boone is almost impossible, and Walker is less likely to be wanted than many other free agent second sackers. (In fact, it could be argued that, because of the new collective bargaining agreement that may take place, Walker's salary could be higher than a better player like Kent or Alfonzo, though that is almost as unlikely as a Boone deal.)

As it is, I would argue that BBoone and Bowden are in favor of keeping Branyan. He's LH, he's got more pop (as evidenced by his major and minor league numbers), and he has shown the ability to play numerous positions well enough to be a back-up.

Allen and Lindner would probably side with Larson, as he is cheaper and comes from the Cincinnati farm system. Actually, Larson should be quite a bit cheaper, as Branyan is at least close enough to arbitration to make front office personnel nervous.

Is Branyan a great hitter? No. But he does produce when given a chance. And that's more than any Reds bench guy since Jeffery Hammonds and Alex Ochoa. In fact, he reminds me a bit of Hammonds in that he is a "failed" uber-prospect that stuck out too much with his former team. If he could play CF... Well, no one's perfect.

My choice is to go with Branyan, as he has a track record and is more likey to improve as he comes into his prime. Too, I like his LH stick and his speed is a bit better than Larson's. He also seems to come through in the clutch an inordinant number of times. Or at least he has since his trade to Cincinnati.

Raisor · 08-04-2002, 04:40 PM

Even with his great 100 abs in Cincy, he still only has a .750 OPS for the season.

Yes, he's on a hot streak, but let's not get carried away over 100 at bats.

PSR

Krusty · 08-04-2002, 04:45 PM

With such good looking hitters like Larson, Mateo, Branyan and even Pena, look for Bowden to wheel and deal like the good ole days when Schott was the owner come this offseason.

With a payroll boast anywhere between 10-15 million, Bowden could move the entire roster if he wanted with the exception of maybe three players. Now young hitters might command a decent return if a small market team was interested.

Should make an interesting offseason.

Old School Redleg · 08-04-2002, 05:29 PM

What better time to bump this ol' thread back to the top.

Benihana · 08-04-2002, 05:34 PM

Answer: Yes

And I will be one of the first to take credit for saying this the day of the trade ( I wish I knew how to retreive old threads ).

I have said repeatedly that the Broussard-Branyan and Brower-Chen deals would go down as two of JimBo's best and I stand by that statement.

The question now becomes what to do with the sudden surplus of positional talent?

D-Man · 08-04-2002, 05:56 PM

For his career, Branyan has hit for a .790 OPS in 900 plate appearances. As a Red, he has hit for a .900+ OPS in over 120 plate appearances. That improvement in his 120 PA can NOT be shrugged off as random noise in the data (or as a small sample size for that matter). The difference between his career numbers and his 120 PAs as a Red is likely STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT (caveat: I don't have the software with me to run the numbers

).

Moreover, Branyan's hitting has improved across the board--hitting for a higher average, fewer Ks, more walks, higher slugging percentage, etc. That is further evidence that we are witnessing REAL improvement in his performance.

Add in the fact that he has always had a ton of talent (top prospect in 1997-1999), and this is likely a case of where a change of scenery has done a world of good.

MWM · 08-04-2002, 06:00 PM

Good to hear from you again D-Man. Where ya' been?

guernsey · 08-04-2002, 06:08 PM

Maybe ole Russell oughtta be hitting 4th!

Benihana · 08-04-2002, 06:08 PM

JESUS! THIS GUY'S AWESOME!!!

Old School Redleg · 08-04-2002, 06:08 PM

And the OPS just went higer.... Another HR for RB. :smokin:

D-Man · 08-04-2002, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MWM
Good to hear from you again D-Man. Where ya' been?

Vacation!! Thanks for asking. I actually didn't have much access to a computer while I was away--hard to believe, nowadays.

I actually was at the Reds-Dodgers game on Thursday. Wow, did I luck out--I got to see the best game of the year. FWIW, everyone in my section (green seats in RF) thought Gagne was clearly trying to hit Dunn. After the game, all the press was talking about how Gagne got jobbed; however no one was talking about how he was spouting off expletives after the Boone HR. I think it was clearly a case where Eric let emotions get the better of him. Of course it didn't make *sense* to plunk Dunn in that situation, but Gagne is not exactly a slave to logic (and he reminds me a lot of Rob Dibble, who was known as a bit of a hothead himself).

BTW, my whole family is now convinced Gagne is on the "juice."

RFS62 · 08-04-2002, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by D-Man

but Gagne is not exactly a slave to logic

Glad you're back D-Man, awesome game for you to get a chance to see!!

oregonred · 08-04-2002, 07:27 PM

Holy timely threads batman.

3 dingers for ol' Russ!

Krusty · 08-04-2002, 07:29 PM

The guy is making a believer out of me. 10-10. Now lets win this wild one.

08-04-2002, 04:00 PM	#16
TeamBoone "Let's Roll" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 12,821	He seems to really like it in Cincy and has nothing but good things to say about the hitting coach. It's nice to see guys come here and really enjoy it! __________________ "Enjoy this Reds fans, you are watching a legend grow up before your very eyes" ... DoogMinAmo on Adam Dunn

08-04-2002, 04:40 PM	#18
Raisor Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,673	Small Sample Size Even with his great 100 abs in Cincy, he still only has a .750 OPS for the season. Yes, he's on a hot streak, but let's not get carried away over 100 at bats. PSR

08-04-2002, 04:45 PM	#19
Krusty Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Williamsport, PA Posts: 12,311	Stay tuned. With such good looking hitters like Larson, Mateo, Branyan and even Pena, look for Bowden to wheel and deal like the good ole days when Schott was the owner come this offseason. With a payroll boast anywhere between 10-15 million, Bowden could move the entire roster if he wanted with the exception of maybe three players. Now young hitters might command a decent return if a small market team was interested. Should make an interesting offseason.

08-04-2002, 05:29 PM	#20
Old School Redleg Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: South of Cincy Posts: 436	Another HR for RB... What better time to bump this ol' thread back to the top. __________________ Hardball, Cincy Style: 5-8-11-13-14-17-24 27-28-37-39-44-49

08-04-2002, 05:34 PM	#21
Benihana Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 8,414	Is Russ Branyan blossoming into a genuine hitter? Answer: Yes And I will be one of the first to take credit for saying this the day of the trade ( I wish I knew how to retreive old threads ). I have said repeatedly that the Broussard-Branyan and Brower-Chen deals would go down as two of JimBo's best and I stand by that statement. The question now becomes what to do with the sudden surplus of positional talent? __________________ Go BLUE!!!

08-04-2002, 04:04 PM	#17
Scrap Irony Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Bedford, KY Posts: 8,992	Between Branyan and Larson, the Reds have a choice to make. I don't think Boone will be SS in 2003, as Larkin and his contract will be the starter. (With good reason, as Larkin is still the bellweather cow to the offensive pasture in Cincinnati.) With Pena and Mateo out of options after 2002, the real battle will be between Larson and Branyan as backup corner infielder and OF. That, IMO, is what they are battling for this season. If Bowden is able to deal Walker, Casey, or Boone, both guys would be surer bets to stay with the Reds. However, a trade involving Casey is unlikely, a deal involving Boone is almost impossible, and Walker is less likely to be wanted than many other free agent second sackers. (In fact, it could be argued that, because of the new collective bargaining agreement that may take place, Walker's salary could be higher than a better player like Kent or Alfonzo, though that is almost as unlikely as a Boone deal.) As it is, I would argue that BBoone and Bowden are in favor of keeping Branyan. He's LH, he's got more pop (as evidenced by his major and minor league numbers), and he has shown the ability to play numerous positions well enough to be a back-up. Allen and Lindner would probably side with Larson, as he is cheaper and comes from the Cincinnati farm system. Actually, Larson should be quite a bit cheaper, as Branyan is at least close enough to arbitration to make front office personnel nervous. Is Branyan a great hitter? No. But he does produce when given a chance. And that's more than any Reds bench guy since Jeffery Hammonds and Alex Ochoa. In fact, he reminds me a bit of Hammonds in that he is a "failed" uber-prospect that stuck out too much with his former team. If he could play CF... Well, no one's perfect. My choice is to go with Branyan, as he has a track record and is more likey to improve as he comes into his prime. Too, I like his LH stick and his speed is a bit better than Larson's. He also seems to come through in the clutch an inordinant number of times. Or at least he has since his trade to Cincinnati.

08-04-2002, 05:56 PM	#22
D-Man Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 787	For his career, Branyan has hit for a .790 OPS in 900 plate appearances. As a Red, he has hit for a .900+ OPS in over 120 plate appearances. That improvement in his 120 PA can NOT be shrugged off as random noise in the data (or as a small sample size for that matter). The difference between his career numbers and his 120 PAs as a Red is likely STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT (caveat: I don't have the software with me to run the numbers ). Moreover, Branyan's hitting has improved across the board--hitting for a higher average, fewer Ks, more walks, higher slugging percentage, etc. That is further evidence that we are witnessing REAL improvement in his performance. Add in the fact that he has always had a ton of talent (top prospect in 1997-1999), and this is likely a case of where a change of scenery has done a world of good. Last edited by D-Man; 08-04-2002 at 06:33 PM.

08-04-2002, 06:00 PM	#23
MWM Pre-tty, pre-tty good!! Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 12,171	Good to hear from you again D-Man. Where ya' been?

08-04-2002, 06:08 PM	#24
guernsey Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 11,243	Maybe ole Russell oughtta be hitting 4th! __________________ "People that frequent Internet forums resemble the cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest!" - C. J. Cregg, The West Wing

08-04-2002, 06:08 PM	#25
Benihana Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 8,414	2 HRs now for Russ JESUS! THIS GUY'S AWESOME!!! __________________ Go BLUE!!!

08-04-2002, 07:27 PM	#29
oregonred "So Fla Red" Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: South Florida - The Real Humidor Posts: 4,470	Holy timely threads batman. 3 dingers for ol' Russ!

08-04-2002, 07:29 PM	#30
Krusty Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Williamsport, PA Posts: 12,311	The guy is making a believer out of me. 10-10. Now lets win this wild one.

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