First Base: A Revolving Door pt. 2
2002-Julio Franco/Matt Franco/Wes Helms
For 2002, Atlanta would give most of the playing time at first to a then 43 year-old man named Julio Franco. Atlanta kept J. Franco and Helms from the year before while adding FA Matt Franco previously of the Mets. B.J. Surhoff also saw action at first (11 games) but his season was cut short due to injury. Combined the Franco Bros. turned out to be a decent duo at first. The numbers aren't spectactular but it got the job done.
J. Franco: .284/.357/.382 6HR 30RBI 95 games
M. Franco: .317/.395/.517 6HR 30RBI 51 games
W. Helms: .243/.283/.405 6HR 22RBI 45 games
2003-Robert Fick/Julio Franco/Matt Franco/Mike Hessman
A 2002 AL-All Star Robert Fick was exactly what the Braves were looking for out of a 1B. Yea, right, Fick turned into a "whoops" signing. Fick is a very average player at best. He's had recent success with the Padres. Back to 2003, Fick played the majority at first and was backed up by Julio Franco. Matt Franco's playing time significantly decreased into more of a bench player/pinch hitter role. Long time minor leaguer Mike Hessman debuted to no success. Fick's cheap shot on then Cubs 1B Eric Karros during the 2003 NLDS didn't help his chances of a return to Atlanta.
R. Fick .269/.335/.418 11HR 80RBI 115 games
2004-Adam LaRoche/Julio Franco
Instead of making the usual FA signing during the offseason the Braves pulled from within. 24 year-old Adam LaRoche was given the starting job at 1B. LaRoche wasn't alone, he platooned with none other than Julio Franco which continued his string of 1 year signings. LaRoche put up decent numbers for his rookie season, while Franco was their to bail him out against LHP. LaRoche has been described as a young Will Clark. He has alot of potential if he can just learn to hit LHP and layoff the junk balls. Mike Hessman made another appearence this year but with these numbers .130/.155/.261 this would be his last season for the Braves.
A. LaRoche: .278/.333/.488 13HR 45RBI 98 games
J. Franco: .309/.378/.441 6HR 57RBI 84 games
2005/2006-Adam LaRoche/Julio Franco...and future prospects...
Adam LaRoche continued to lead the way at first for the Braves. Julio Franco returning for another season would provide backup duties.
'05 Numbers
A. LaRoche .259/.320/.455 20HR 78RBI 125 games
J. Franco .275/.348/.451 9HR 42RBI 62 games
Adam's numbers slipped in '05 but were still better than some former players. The verdict is still out on LaRoche. He usually bats fifth in the lineup and personally I would move him down to seventh. There maybe too much pressure hitting after the Jones Bros. or something. I think 2006 will be a make or break year for him, as other propects are looming on the horizon. Triple A 1B James Jurries will be given a chance at Spring Training to showcase his steroid free talents. Scott Thorman is another prospect waiting in the wings. Thorman was named to Team Canada for the World Baseball Classic. Recently acquired Matt Diaz has some 1B experience but for the most part will be used as apart of an OF platoon. Sadly, Julio Franco wanting a 2 year deal after many 1 year deals with Atlanta has moved on to the N.Y. Mets.
For 2002, Atlanta would give most of the playing time at first to a then 43 year-old man named Julio Franco. Atlanta kept J. Franco and Helms from the year before while adding FA Matt Franco previously of the Mets. B.J. Surhoff also saw action at first (11 games) but his season was cut short due to injury. Combined the Franco Bros. turned out to be a decent duo at first. The numbers aren't spectactular but it got the job done.
J. Franco: .284/.357/.382 6HR 30RBI 95 games
M. Franco: .317/.395/.517 6HR 30RBI 51 games
W. Helms: .243/.283/.405 6HR 22RBI 45 games
2003-Robert Fick/Julio Franco/Matt Franco/Mike Hessman
A 2002 AL-All Star Robert Fick was exactly what the Braves were looking for out of a 1B. Yea, right, Fick turned into a "whoops" signing. Fick is a very average player at best. He's had recent success with the Padres. Back to 2003, Fick played the majority at first and was backed up by Julio Franco. Matt Franco's playing time significantly decreased into more of a bench player/pinch hitter role. Long time minor leaguer Mike Hessman debuted to no success. Fick's cheap shot on then Cubs 1B Eric Karros during the 2003 NLDS didn't help his chances of a return to Atlanta.
R. Fick .269/.335/.418 11HR 80RBI 115 games
2004-Adam LaRoche/Julio Franco
Instead of making the usual FA signing during the offseason the Braves pulled from within. 24 year-old Adam LaRoche was given the starting job at 1B. LaRoche wasn't alone, he platooned with none other than Julio Franco which continued his string of 1 year signings. LaRoche put up decent numbers for his rookie season, while Franco was their to bail him out against LHP. LaRoche has been described as a young Will Clark. He has alot of potential if he can just learn to hit LHP and layoff the junk balls. Mike Hessman made another appearence this year but with these numbers .130/.155/.261 this would be his last season for the Braves.
A. LaRoche: .278/.333/.488 13HR 45RBI 98 games
J. Franco: .309/.378/.441 6HR 57RBI 84 games
2005/2006-Adam LaRoche/Julio Franco...and future prospects...
Adam LaRoche continued to lead the way at first for the Braves. Julio Franco returning for another season would provide backup duties.
'05 Numbers
A. LaRoche .259/.320/.455 20HR 78RBI 125 games
J. Franco .275/.348/.451 9HR 42RBI 62 games
Adam's numbers slipped in '05 but were still better than some former players. The verdict is still out on LaRoche. He usually bats fifth in the lineup and personally I would move him down to seventh. There maybe too much pressure hitting after the Jones Bros. or something. I think 2006 will be a make or break year for him, as other propects are looming on the horizon. Triple A 1B James Jurries will be given a chance at Spring Training to showcase his steroid free talents. Scott Thorman is another prospect waiting in the wings. Thorman was named to Team Canada for the World Baseball Classic. Recently acquired Matt Diaz has some 1B experience but for the most part will be used as apart of an OF platoon. Sadly, Julio Franco wanting a 2 year deal after many 1 year deals with Atlanta has moved on to the N.Y. Mets.
posted by Adam at
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