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

Krusty · 08-04-2002, 12:26 AM

Seems like another reclamation project is paying big dividends for the Reds once again in the name of Russell Branyan.

Come next year with that short porch in RF, could you Branyan getting a shot of playing everyday by juggling between LF and 3rd base. It is obvious that Larkin will need to rest more with Boone moving to shortstop.

If Larson and Branyan continue to develop as hitters, maybe the best thing Bowden did was not having the deal for Rolen go through?

Opinions?

WVRedsFan · 08-04-2002, 12:28 AM

Yes, Krusty. He is. But when you pinch hit him just because there is a left hander on the mound, you send a message that just might ruin his confidence. Of course, far be it from me to question Bob Boone.

westofyou · 08-04-2002, 12:47 AM

Russell is worth something while he is cheap, but he's pretty much the same hitter as before. He's striking out every 3.2 ab and bb every 6.7. His lifetime average prior to being a Red was a K every 2.4 ab and a bb every 8.8 ab.

HR total before being a Red was 15.8 as of tonight 14.8.

My complaint about Russell is that he is Rob Deer, better fielder, can play infield ect...

But he hits HR"s mostly not many 2b's (34 in 810 lifetime ab's)

Pretty much all or nothing with Branyan.

But after the dogs we've had on the bench over the past few years this year is nice.

WVRedsFan · 08-04-2002, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WVRedsFan
Yes, Krusty. He is. But when you pinch hit him just because there is a left hander on the mound, you send a message that just might ruin his confidence. Of course, far be it from me to question Bob Boone.

Amen! Russell gives us pop off the bench. That is so very important and he can pay infield as well as outfield. Sure beats Wilton or Juan. Or Reggie.....

NDRed · 08-04-2002, 12:59 AM

Good point WOY, he does bring something off the bench we haven't had in awile. Sure beats Castro, Taylor, Selby, etc. etc. etc. At least win he is at bat you know it is possible to score some runs. Obviously, he will never be a great pure hitter but he is what he is. An all or nothing free swinger who can win a game for you with one at bat. Not a bad spare part to have around.

Have to try one of these:

oregonred · 08-04-2002, 01:00 AM

WOY -- I agree. Branyan is a great asset at under 1M a year. That kind of power is not easily found. I'd say he's a bit more promosing than Rob Deer, but how much remains to be seen.

I've gotta think he could intrigue some teams in the right package as a sweetner to an offseason deal.

Phhhl · 08-04-2002, 01:07 AM

You can't dismiss the fact that Russell Branyan is doing things on defense that can only be described as bizarre when assessing his contributions to the team so far. He won a game against the Pirates late in the game with a sliding catch just before the allstar break, and punished the Padres tonight for underestimating him on a flair to left, gunning down what would have been a tying run at the plate in what turned out to be a one run victory (forget the two-run homer that ultimately decided the difference). He may be living down to certain isolated statistics, but he is also doing things in certain isolated situations that point towards his role in this club's date with destiny.

If Jim Bowden ran into a catalyst player at the right time in history, who are we as fans to complain about it?

oregonred · 08-04-2002, 01:21 AM

Gotta love the Santo optimism!

101 AB's for Branyan as a Red and Russell is right at a .900 OPS. 2nd only to Mr. Dunn in that category (min 100AB's).

This has been an outstanding trade for the Reds in 2002. LT the jury is still out. Branyan has made the difference in 3-4 games thus far.

I think Branyan had a lot of hype and pressure in Cleveland and couldn't live up to the expectations. He had a hot start in 2000 and the fans thought he was going to become a young power hitter to make up for the Giles/Sexson/Casey unpopular trades. 2001 was a bad year (132K's in 315AB's), but he still had a .802 OPS despite his Rob Deer like .232 average.

He has no such expectations in Cinci and appears to have worked hard since his arrival without promise of much PT.

guernsey · 08-04-2002, 01:26 AM

Both Wily Mo Pena and Ruben Mateo are out of options next year so someone will have to be traded. Branyan is arb eligilbe, and I'm guessing JimBo will hope he's put enough polish on him to trade him for more than he gave up to get him.

JaxRed · 08-04-2002, 01:39 AM

Add Taylor to the mix of OF with no options (at least one of whom has to go)

WVRedsFan · 08-04-2002, 01:45 AM

Go, Reggie, go! Anywhere

oregonred · 08-04-2002, 01:46 AM

Reggie Taylor's loss would be devastating. Somewhere between the unbearable pain of losing Donnie Sadler and Wilton Guerrero.

Branyan has more trade value now than when the Reds dealt for him. Heck if Dante Bichette can yield a Reitsma than the sky is the limit for the low cost/high-power/young Russell Branyan!

One, probably two of Mateo/Pena/Branyan/Larson will likely have to go in 2003 assuming a 12 man rotation. Assuming Casey/Boone/AK/Dunn/KGJ are all still here.

Either Pena/Mateo as outfielder #4 and Branyan or Larson as the backup corner infielder/oufielder. Maybe a spot for one more. Assuming Castro/Dawkins//?? as the MI backup.

buckeyenut · 08-04-2002, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by westofyou
Russell is worth something while he is cheap, but he's pretty much the same hitter as before. He's striking out every 3.2 ab and bb every 6.7. His lifetime average prior to being a Red was a K every 2.4 ab and a bb every 8.8 ab.

HR total before being a Red was 15.8 as of tonight 14.8.

My complaint about Russell is that he is Rob Deer, better fielder, can play infield ect...

But he hits HR"s mostly not many 2b's (34 in 810 lifetime ab's)

Pretty much all or nothing with Branyan.

But after the dogs we've had on the bench over the past few years this year is nice.

600 AB
before 188 strikeouts 68 BB 38 HR
after 250 strikeouts 90 BB 41 HR not to mention a higher batting average now than ever before.

I'd say a pretty significant improvement.

westofyou · 08-04-2002, 11:04 AM

"I'd say a pretty significant improvement."

It's an improvment that's for sure.

But would you say he's more of a pure hitter now?

I say no, Branyan is what he his a slugger who strikes out alot and is a good xtra IF and OF.

Which I like.

That said I don't expect Branyan to ever get 600 AB's in a season with the Reds.

So Bobby Bonds can relax his K record won't be taken on by Russell.

buckeyenut · 08-04-2002, 03:29 PM

If he continues to OPS at .900 (which I don't think he will), he'll get 600 ABs somewhere.

There has been a difference in Branyan since he came over. He's not an allstar right now, but he is a very good player for this team. And that's really what is important.

08-04-2002, 12:26 AM	#1
Krusty Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Williamsport, PA Posts: 12,311	Is Russell Branyan Blossoming Into A Geuine Hitter? Seems like another reclamation project is paying big dividends for the Reds once again in the name of Russell Branyan. Come next year with that short porch in RF, could you Branyan getting a shot of playing everyday by juggling between LF and 3rd base. It is obvious that Larkin will need to rest more with Boone moving to shortstop. If Larson and Branyan continue to develop as hitters, maybe the best thing Bowden did was not having the deal for Rolen go through? Opinions?

08-04-2002, 12:59 AM	#5
NDRed Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 1,271	Good point WOY, he does bring something off the bench we haven't had in awile. Sure beats Castro, Taylor, Selby, etc. etc. etc. At least win he is at bat you know it is possible to score some runs. Obviously, he will never be a great pure hitter but he is what he is. An all or nothing free swinger who can win a game for you with one at bat. Not a bad spare part to have around. Have to try one of these: __________________ I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.- Stan Helsing

08-04-2002, 01:26 AM	#9
guernsey Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 11,243	Both Wily Mo Pena and Ruben Mateo are out of options next year so someone will have to be traded. Branyan is arb eligilbe, and I'm guessing JimBo will hope he's put enough polish on him to trade him for more than he gave up to get him. __________________ "People that frequent Internet forums resemble the cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest!" - C. J. Cregg, The West Wing

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08-04-2002, 12:28 AM	#2
WVRedsFan Lime in da Coconut Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Rainelle, WV Posts: 7,711	Yes, Krusty. He is. But when you pinch hit him just because there is a left hander on the mound, you send a message that just might ruin his confidence. Of course, far be it from me to question Bob Boone.

08-04-2002, 12:47 AM	#3
westofyou breath Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: PDX Posts: 39,327	Russell is worth something while he is cheap, but he's pretty much the same hitter as before. He's striking out every 3.2 ab and bb every 6.7. His lifetime average prior to being a Red was a K every 2.4 ab and a bb every 8.8 ab. HR total before being a Red was 15.8 as of tonight 14.8. My complaint about Russell is that he is Rob Deer, better fielder, can play infield ect... But he hits HR"s mostly not many 2b's (34 in 810 lifetime ab's) Pretty much all or nothing with Branyan. But after the dogs we've had on the bench over the past few years this year is nice.

08-04-2002, 01:00 AM	#6
oregonred "So Fla Red" Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: South Florida - The Real Humidor Posts: 4,470	WOY -- I agree. Branyan is a great asset at under 1M a year. That kind of power is not easily found. I'd say he's a bit more promosing than Rob Deer, but how much remains to be seen. I've gotta think he could intrigue some teams in the right package as a sweetner to an offseason deal.

08-04-2002, 01:07 AM	#7
Phhhl Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 3,890	You can't dismiss the fact that Russell Branyan is doing things on defense that can only be described as bizarre when assessing his contributions to the team so far. He won a game against the Pirates late in the game with a sliding catch just before the allstar break, and punished the Padres tonight for underestimating him on a flair to left, gunning down what would have been a tying run at the plate in what turned out to be a one run victory (forget the two-run homer that ultimately decided the difference). He may be living down to certain isolated statistics, but he is also doing things in certain isolated situations that point towards his role in this club's date with destiny. If Jim Bowden ran into a catalyst player at the right time in history, who are we as fans to complain about it?

08-04-2002, 01:21 AM	#8
oregonred "So Fla Red" Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: South Florida - The Real Humidor Posts: 4,470	Gotta love the Santo optimism! 101 AB's for Branyan as a Red and Russell is right at a .900 OPS. 2nd only to Mr. Dunn in that category (min 100AB's). This has been an outstanding trade for the Reds in 2002. LT the jury is still out. Branyan has made the difference in 3-4 games thus far. I think Branyan had a lot of hype and pressure in Cleveland and couldn't live up to the expectations. He had a hot start in 2000 and the fans thought he was going to become a young power hitter to make up for the Giles/Sexson/Casey unpopular trades. 2001 was a bad year (132K's in 315AB's), but he still had a .802 OPS despite his Rob Deer like .232 average. He has no such expectations in Cinci and appears to have worked hard since his arrival without promise of much PT.

08-04-2002, 01:39 AM	#10
JaxRed Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 9,228	Add Taylor to the mix of OF with no options (at least one of whom has to go)

08-04-2002, 01:45 AM	#11
WVRedsFan Lime in da Coconut Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Rainelle, WV Posts: 7,711	Go, Reggie, go! Anywhere

08-04-2002, 01:46 AM	#12
oregonred "So Fla Red" Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: South Florida - The Real Humidor Posts: 4,470	Reggie Taylor's loss would be devastating. Somewhere between the unbearable pain of losing Donnie Sadler and Wilton Guerrero. Branyan has more trade value now than when the Reds dealt for him. Heck if Dante Bichette can yield a Reitsma than the sky is the limit for the low cost/high-power/young Russell Branyan! One, probably two of Mateo/Pena/Branyan/Larson will likely have to go in 2003 assuming a 12 man rotation. Assuming Casey/Boone/AK/Dunn/KGJ are all still here. Either Pena/Mateo as outfielder #4 and Branyan or Larson as the backup corner infielder/oufielder. Maybe a spot for one more. Assuming Castro/Dawkins//?? as the MI backup.

08-04-2002, 11:04 AM	#14
westofyou breath Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: PDX Posts: 39,327	"I'd say a pretty significant improvement." It's an improvment that's for sure. But would you say he's more of a pure hitter now? I say no, Branyan is what he his a slugger who strikes out alot and is a good xtra IF and OF. Which I like. That said I don't expect Branyan to ever get 600 AB's in a season with the Reds. So Bobby Bonds can relax his K record won't be taken on by Russell.

08-04-2002, 03:29 PM	#15
buckeyenut Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,721	If he continues to OPS at .900 (which I don't think he will), he'll get 600 ABs somewhere. There has been a difference in Branyan since he came over. He's not an allstar right now, but he is a very good player for this team. And that's really what is important.