Nate McLouth - Fantasy News & Updates
Nate McLouth - Fantasy News & Updates
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McLouth's numbers fell from the previous season, but the dropoff wasn't all that steep. His BB/K ratio remained nearly identical (65/93 in '08, 68/99 in '09), as did his OBP (.356 in '08, .352 in '09). It's looking like he's here to stay as a solid power/speed contributor, albeit one who might not provide much help in the batting average department.
This is the second consecutive campaign of 20 or more homers for McLouth, who's seen his AB/HR rate shrink from 18.9 in 45 games with the Pirates to just 30.8 in 84 contests with the Braves. Despite the decline in power with the Braves, the center fielder remained an above-average fantasy option with a .256 batting average, 70 RBIs, 86 runs and 19 steals.
McLouth has returned from the DL with a vengeance, boasting a .410 average, three homers and nine RBIs over 10 games.
That’s back-to-back days of at least three hits for McLouth, who’s dialed in eight such efforts this season. He’s rediscovered his power stroke in September, launching three in the first nine tilts after a 16-game power outage. For the season, the fifth-year center fielder is batting .270 with 18 dingers, 72 runs and 17 swipes, making him a consistent contributor in all formats.
After missing more than half of August with a strained hamstring, McLouth has made up for lost time in September, hitting a blistering .290 (10-for-29) with a trio of big flies and more walks (six) than strikeouts (five). All signs point to a solid close to '09 for the 27-year-old star.
McLouth, who went deep for the second time in four games, is going to need to catch fire this month if he hopes to approach the 26 jacks and 94 RBIs he piled up in his breakout 2008 season. The 28-year-old center fielder is batting .260 with 59 RBIs, 68 runs and 17 thefts this year.
McLouth didn't waste any time showing the Braves that they made the right decision in activating him Friday, plating the club's only run of the evening against Cincinnati. Look for a return to the lineup Saturday.
McLouth, who has missed 17 games since straining his left hamstring on Aug. 16, completed a rehab assignment Thursday night with the Rome Braves, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout, but had little action of note in the field, leading Braves manager Bobby Cox to sit him one more day. Cox added that McLouth would be available for pinch-hitting duties. McLouth is hitting .260 with six homers, 22 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts in 56 games since joining the Braves on June 3.
The Braves are hoping McLouth feels healthy enough to return over the next few days, although it's unclear whether being plunked will have any effect on that decision.
McLouth's outlook didn't look promising on Aug. 29, when he aggravated his hamstring during a rehab game with Double-A Mississippi. But an MRI exam performed on Monday in Atlanta showed no significant damage and provided the Braves hope that they could get him back this week, possibly as soon as Sept. 4.
The Braves are undecided on whether McLouth should begin a rehab assignment in the Minors or return to the team when he's ready. "It's one of those things where hamstrings are funny in how they respond and how quickly the guy becomes pain-free and tightness-free," general manager Frank Wren said. There isn't much time left in the Minor League season, so McLouth is likely to see action with the big club at some point soon.
Despite the early exit, characteristics of the injury -- a lack of discoloration and an acceptable level of strength -- provide the Braves with some hope that this isn't a significant setback. He was originally scheduled to be activated from the DL on Sept. 1, but the aggravation of his hammy will delay his return to the Braves for at least a couple of days.
Church was primed to step in to the center fielder's role vacated by the injured Nate McLouth, but wound up on the shelf himself with lower back pain. The 30-year-old vet should continue to hold down the fort in center until McLouth makes his return to the lineup at some point next week and could be useful in leagues that allow daily changes for the time being.
McLouth, who had never previously been on the disabled list, tested his strained left hamstring while running with approximately 75 percent effort on Tuesday afternoon and eported that he didn't feel any discomfort. In his absence the Braves have turned to Reid Gorecki and Omar Infante to man center with Ryan Church due to get most of the time there once he's able to return from his bout with lower back discomfort.
McLouth had hoped to avoid a DL stint, but the Braves decided they had no choice but to make the move after he felt more discomfort while running on Monday morning. "We just feel like with a hamstring like that, it's probably going to take more time than we can wait and not have additional problems on the bench," said skipper Bobby Cox. McLouth strained his left hamstring on Aug. 8 and then rested for a few days before returning to the lineup Aug. 14. When he favored his left leg during that game and again the following day, the Braves shut him down until Monday's test run. The 28-year-old center fielder will be eligible for activation on Aug. 31.
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