Is Ryan Braun underrated?

[chompsmcgee]

But I guess I just don't know what I am talking about.

Bingo

 

[chompsmcgee]

I would say that you are drastically overstating YOUR comparision when you say Longo is SUPERIOR to Braun. The fact is, as the total player, in an arguement that must weight defense to balance out offense, I'd give the slight edge to Longo. But if I have to have one guy's AB at any one point in time, I'll take Braun.

Just to clear something up...

su·pe·ri·or? ?[suh-peer-ee-er]
–adjective
1. higher in station, rank, degree, importance, etc.: a superior officer.
3. of higher grade or quality

I'm not sure how I can drastically overstate a comparison by using the word superior. If something is better than another thing, regardless of the amount that it is better, it can accurately be said that X is superior to Y.

And if you want Braun as your guy for one AB, that's fine. It's your opinion. Nothing wrong with having one of those, right? Regardless of bias...

 

[hive17]

I would say that you are drastically overstating YOUR comparision when you say Longo is SUPERIOR to Braun. The fact is, as the total player, in an arguement that must weight defense to balance out offense, I'd give the slight edge to Longo. But if I have to have one guy's AB at any one point in time, I'll take Braun.

Just to clear something up...

su·pe·ri·or? ?[suh-peer-ee-er]
–adjective
1. higher in station, rank, degree, importance, etc.: a superior officer.
3. of higher grade or quality

I'm not sure how I can drastically overstate a comparison by using the word superior. If something is better than another thing, regardless of the amount that it is better, it can accurately be said that X is superior to Y.

And if you want Braun as your guy for one AB, that's fine. It's your opinion. Nothing wrong with having one of those, right? Regardless of bias...

Oh, THAT'S the kind of message-board poster you are. You'll go get a definition, thus meaning you're exactly right (I mean, it's a definition, it's iron-clad), when we are talking about fluid categories, unrelated and related categories, varying degrees of success on varying scales over broad domains and basically things that are opinion based, given that some things are more or less valuable to either side. Gotcha!

I would reserve the term "superior" for comparing things that are not really close. I would say that Longoria is a bit better, depandant SOLEY on the metric you use to rate him. Braun is superior at the plate and Longoria is FAR superior in the field; I think we could both agree on that.

 

[brouthercard]

It's interesting how the media/fans have been drawn to Longoria, when really, they have put up quite similar numbers over the last two years, and arguably Braun has put up better numbers.

Longoria just has "it", and I don't know if Braun is ever going to get "it", no matter how productive he is. The hobby and fans just haven't jumped on his wagon yet, and I don't know if they ever will.

A few things you've overlooked in this comparison:

1) Longoria was the best player on a World Series team and thus became a household name.

2) Longo plays elite level defense at a tough position. Braun was moved off 3B early in his career and plays below average defense at the weakest position on the field, LF.

3) The offensive stats are comparable but if you look side-by-side at arguably the most important stat, WAR (Wins Above Replacement), it's not even close.

Longo is the superior player at this point. He may have "it" but only because he is more than deserving.

Ok, you're right, Longoria is superior :

 

[Lars]

Braun isn't underrated simply because baseball experts know how great he is.

However, playing for the Milwaukee Brewers is probably the reason he maybe considered underrated in some circles, even if he maybe considered a 'franchise great' at this point already.

With his 'personality' or at least with his t-shirts - he'd be labeled a superstar back home in LA with the Dodgers or in New York with the Yankees.

 

[Codasco07]

IMO top HITTERS:
1. Pujols
2. Hanley
3. Braun

Does he get that love/attention no-underrated.

I am hoping sandoval can eventually be a top 10 hitter

Ichiro and Joe Mauer say hi.

I dislike Braun about as much as it's possible to dislike a baseball player. THat being said, I have him on my fantasy team and I think he's very, very good. I think the casual fan would consider him the second best hitter on his team, behind Prince. He's almost a the MVP level. I think he's better than Hanley, Wright, and Kemp, but on par with Longo.

 

[Topnotchsy]

IMO top HITTERS:
1. Pujols
2. Hanley
3. Braun

Does he get that love/attention no-underrated.

I am hoping sandoval can eventually be a top 10 hitter

Ichiro and Joe Mauer say hi.

I dislike Braun about as much as it's possible to dislike a baseball player. THat being said, I have him on my fantasy team and I think he's very, very good. I think the casual fan would consider him the second best hitter on his team, behind Prince. He's almost a the MVP level. I think he's better than Hanley, Wright, and Kemp, but on par with Longo.

I don't see any way you can consider Ichiro a better hitter unless you look solely at "hits." Braun's OBP is only a few points behind Ichiro and his other hitting stats (SLG, XBH's etc.) blow Ichiro out of the water. Even with Mauer there is what to discuss. Braun's OPS is around .50 higher than Mauer, though if we focus on the most recent (last season) Mauer was clearly better. I'll still take Hanley over Braun.

 

[SouthSideSluggers]

Braun isn't underrated simply because baseball experts know how great he is.

However, playing for the Milwaukee Brewers is probably the reason he maybe considered underrated in some circles, even if he maybe considered a 'franchise great' at this point already.

With his 'personality' or at least with his t-shirts - he'd be labeled a superstar back home in LA with the Dodgers or in New York with the Yankees.

This is a BIG REASON, he doesn't play in a big market, or on a team that wins or is in a position to win...If he played out here in LA he would be VERY BIG...and when they can't afford his contract in a few years he will then be in a position to really jump up in perspective when he hits a big market team.

 

[Codasco07]

IMO top HITTERS:
1. Pujols
2. Hanley
3. Braun

Does he get that love/attention no-underrated.

I am hoping sandoval can eventually be a top 10 hitter

Ichiro and Joe Mauer say hi.

I dislike Braun about as much as it's possible to dislike a baseball player. THat being said, I have him on my fantasy team and I think he's very, very good. I think the casual fan would consider him the second best hitter on his team, behind Prince. He's almost a the MVP level. I think he's better than Hanley, Wright, and Kemp, but on par with Longo.

I don't see any way you can consider Ichiro a better hitter unless you look solely at "hits." Braun's OBP is only a few points behind Ichiro and his other hitting stats (SLG, XBH's etc.) blow Ichiro out of the water. Even with Mauer there is what to discuss. Braun's OPS is around .50 higher than Mauer, though if we focus on the most recent (last season) Mauer was clearly better. I'll still take Hanley over Braun.

Wasn't going on any numbers, just opinion (not the best way of doing things). As a pure hitter, I think Pujols, Mauer, Ichiro, Jeter, and Manny are top 5. Most productive? Only Pujols and maybe Mauer are left. Harder to fill out from there but Braun, Hanley, Longo, Kemp, and even Heyward (premature) are in the discussion. If I'm starting a team I take Hanley over Braun but offensively, I think Braun has a slight edge.

 

[RCRX]

I have nothing of merit to add but I cant stand Ryan Braun..that being said..hes a pretty darn good ballplayer

 

[BrewerSuperCollector]

As a Brewers fan I really want to like him. But, its hard. Not so much this year, but last year he always would throw a temper tantrum when he would get hit by a pitch. He also didn't want to take a walk, and would show that displeasure also. I was at the game last year when Karstens hit him. Everyone in the stadium knew Braun whould try to steal second, and sure enough after a few throws over he was picked off.

I believed from the day he signed his long term contract that he will complain about being underpaid. I just see it coming. Then, whether its his agent or him, he won't sign balls, photos or anything at the public signings..only a 5x7 postcard.

I really want to like him, like a Robin Yount, but he makes it very hard.

 

[Anthony K.]

But I guess I just don't know what I am talking about.

Bingo

The ever popular message board tactic of avoidance.

Very clever there.

Most original, I might add.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Not sure whether people were referring to card prices or general popularity, but his Bowman Chrome Auto's have jumped a bit recently. Last one ended for $204 which is likely an anomaly, but they've been getting $150 or so.