The Braves were 5-18 in April. They were 10-18 in May. They are 6-8 under interim manager Brian Snitker.
The Braves have been better, if not good. Having expressed my skepticism about the new manager having an effect , here are three tangible and measurable reasons the Braves have been better (with a blanket caveat for small sample sizes).
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1. The starting pitching has been really good
Among major league pitchers who made at least four starts in May, Julio Teheran ranked tied for fourth in ERA (1.38), Matt Wisler ranked 21st (2.51) and Williams Perez ranked 31st (3.08). Use FIP to take defense, luck and timing out of the equation and Teheran ranked tied for 13th (2.89) and Wisler ranked 25th (3.14) in May.
Teheran has regained his form. Wisler is looking like the real deal. Perez is improving and so is Mike Foltynewicz.
2. Platoon players are producing
When former manager Fredi Gonzalez requested some offensive reinforcements, the front office summoned veterans Chase d’Arnaud, Reid Brignac and Matt Tuiasosopo. Brignac and Tuiasosopo didn’t stick but d’Arnaud indeed has helped the offense.
In May d'Arnaud ranked tied for 21st among all major leaguers in on-base percentage (.414). He ranked 55th in weighted on-base average (.376) among all players with at least 50 plate appearances. In addition to his offensive punch he's provided some much-needed stability to the infield defense.
Other part-time players contributed in May, too. Gordon Beckham ranked 28th in the majors in OBP (.405) and 66th in WOBA (.369). Tyler Flowers ranked 54th in OBP (.375) and 127th in WOBA (.338). Jeff Francoeur ranked tied for 97th in OBP (.343) and 209th in WOBP (.307).
Those players have kept the offense afloat while lineup regulars Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis struggle and Erick Aybar becomes the latest Braves hitter to rapidly decline from pretty good hitter to candidate for worst everyday player in the majors.
3. Mallex Smith is maturing
Mallex Smith makes too many outs on the base paths. He strikes out too much and can’t hit left-handers. His bunting is, let’s say, a work in progress.
Otherwise, there’s a lot to like about Smiths’ potential. That’s especially true because Smith isn’t as experienced as most prospects his age.
Smith still is developing instincts in the field but he’s been a plus defender because of his speed. He played more often in May than he did in April yet his percentages improved: batting average from .188 to .267, slugging from .292 to .493, OBP from .569 to .793, WOBA from .258 to .334 and strikeout percentage from 29.6 to 22.9.
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