Are the Rays the new Braves?

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 4, 2008 11:39 AM EDT

3B - The Young Stud

Atlanta: In 1990, the Braves selected a skinny high school shortstop out of Florida with the #1 pick in the amateur draft. Almost two decades later and Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones has been the most consistent and significant Atlanta hitter since Hank Aaron. He sprung on to the scene in 1995 when he finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year voting after hitting 23 HR and 86 RBI.

Tampa Bay: Evan Longoria was selected third overall by the Rays in the 2006 amateur draft, and since that time, everyone in the Tampa organization has been salivating at the prospects of having him in the middle of the lineup. Longoria finally got the call up this season, and he has done everything but disappoint. He has hit 15 HR, 50 RBI, and stolen 5 bases half way through the season. He is expected to be a mainstay on the left side of the diamond and could be in the running for Rookie of the Year this season

Interesting, I always had us pegged as the 1994 Expos.

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Legitimate comparison?

My son has been making the comparison all year, but not for the reasons this article gives.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but although I think the essential comparison has merit, I do not like these kind of articles because the reasoning is so flawed. Aside from having to stretch points to make the comparison work (Shields/Smoltz?, Pena/McGriff?), it identifies meaningless similarities (Latino catchers?) and nonsensical analogies (Iwamura’s offense is significantly better than Lemke’s.)

I object to the article because it reinforces the superstitious approach to analysis, the focus on coincidence like people somehow finding some significance in the fact that Lincoln and Kennedy were both assassinated and followed by a Johnson and had secretaries with the same name or some such foolishness.

I do think there are legitimate reasons to compare the Rays’ emergence to that of the 1991 Braves, including the development of the prospects and additions of key components.

by bobr on Jul 4, 2008 11:58 AM EDT 0 recs

And their amazing turnaround in defensive efficiency

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 4, 2008 12:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Can't discount the glove.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 4, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

When the glove's on the wheels of steel...

He’s reckless.

by floridaroar on Jul 5, 2008 5:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think the main point is that both teams were laughingstocks prior to their “coming out”. The Rays are also built to become a staple in the upper echelon of MLB just like the Braves were. Both teams were “built” similarly, but I agree with Bob in terms we can’t really compare player to player.

by matthan on Jul 4, 2008 12:06 PM EDT 0 recs

Rays Management started making the comparison LAST year...

But Longoria is already a BETTER third baseman than Larry ever was…

But the Braves were already established by the time Larry got to the bigs. Maybe Tim Beckham is the Rays Larry??? (Both were drafted #1 overall by a team in first place)

If you're not having fun, what are you having? There's already WAAAY too many serious moments in life.

by Manny Stiles on Jul 4, 2008 2:43 PM EDT 0 recs