Thoughts on Willie Harris

by tmsnow on Oct 4, 2007 10:03 AM EDT

After the announcement that Andruw would not return to the Braves next season and seeing as how the Braves will be limited financially (even with Liberty increasing payroll, arbitration adjustments alone should take up most of that flexibility) it seems at least fairly likely that the CF job in ATL is Willie Harris' to lose.

My questions are, is there any way Willie can be a serviceable starter in CF or will he soon regress to his career averages, and as a prospect did Harris in any way indicate that he had potential to be a guy that hit for .300 average with a reasonably high OBP.

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he's horrible

I don't want him in center. After July 1st he hit .214 .294 OBP .354 slugging. He was a flash in the pan.

by Bravesin07 on Oct 4, 2007 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

Lillebridge

would start in CF before Harris.

by Curtis Pride on Oct 4, 2007 10:05 AM EDT reply actions

Lillibridge

This is certainly a possibility but I've gotta think that Bobby Cox will allow Harris to lose the job... Lillibridge will have to completely outplay him in the spring to get the job

by tmsnow on Oct 4, 2007 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Why?

Why, exactly, do you think the job is Harris's to lose? The Braves have a long history of effectively integrating young talent. They're not an organization that focuses on veteran entitlement at the expense of putting out the most talented team possible.

Atlanta's baseball people are very good at their jobs. They have to know Willie Harris isn't an everyday major leaguer.

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by jhelfgott @ Minor League Ball on Oct 4, 2007 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Clarification

All I'm saying is that given the same spring numbers, Harris will be the opening day starter over Lillibridge... I just think that Harris has the job until he is outperformed by someone like Lillibridge who by the way hasn't played CF regularly since college.

by tmsnow on Oct 4, 2007 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Not saying Lillibridge

I'm just saying the Braves aren't going to give the job to Harris just because he's the incumbent. Lillibridge isn't the only option. They can go outside the organization as well.

One thing you can count on is that the Braves will do everything they can to put the best possible player at every position. Knowing that, I'd be shocked if Harris starts the year as the every day CF.

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by jhelfgott @ Minor League Ball on Oct 5, 2007 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

He's only good in fantasy

Because of his stolen base numbers and runs scored. As a ballplayer though, he's mediocre, but could be a quality 4th OF. I don't think he's a total flash in the pan, he could be a very useful pinch-runner. But the White Sox would be making a mistake counting on him to be their starting CF in 2008.

Hey fish, leave those kids alone!

by The Congo Hammer on Oct 4, 2007 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

Whoa

I just had a total brain fart. I didn't read the topic and was thinking and talking about Jerry Owens. That was strange. Well I guess Willie Harris did play on the White Sox at one point, but it's not like the names are even close. My bad.

Hey fish, leave those kids alone!

by The Congo Hammer on Oct 4, 2007 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

re

Harris is no starter, but the clowns that say he sucks are way off base too. He has has only two seasons (2004, 2007) in which he had over 300 ABS, and on those years he had OB% of .343 and .349, that is VERY useful in a speedy, super-sub type that Harris can be. The Braves played him mostly in LF this year, but he has played mostly 2b and 3b over his inor league career, was drafted as a SS, and can play any OF spot.

Starter, no, poor man's Chone Figgins, yes

by ScottAZ on Oct 4, 2007 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

and....

I heard a rumor that Corey Patterson will sign a cheap, one year deal with the Braves to play CF.

by ScottAZ on Oct 4, 2007 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

Escobar

I just assumed Escobar would play second & Johnson would move back to the OF.

I'm not a braves fan & not familiar enough with them to say this is the right thing, just what I thought was gonna happen.

by IkeepforgettingmyID on Oct 4, 2007 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

Escobar

It seems likely that the Braves will shop Renteria for a starting pitcher (Blanton, Garland, Robertson) and give Escobar the full time SS spot.

by tmsnow on Oct 4, 2007 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

they have other options

but it does seem like Harris will get the first shot. He could be a great utility player. If only Jordan Schaefer could arrive a little early. Like Scott AZ said there are some cheap centerfield options this year. Patterson or Lofton off the top of my head would be upgrades and would allow for Harris to move back to a more natural utility role.

by kaisertown on Oct 4, 2007 11:55 AM EDT reply actions