PLAYING TIME: Braun's Reprieve and the MIL OF Picture
Feb 25 2012
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Braun's suspension overturned
Ryan Braun's (OF, MIL) 50-game PED suspension was reversed on appeal, restoring his fulltime status. Braun's presence impacts the competition for OF playing time in MIL. Japanese import Nori Aoki (OF, MIL), a contact hitter with little power and average speed, loomed as the likely replacement had Braun's suspension been upheld.
With Braun in the lineup, Aoki could eventually challenge Nyjer Morgan (OF, MIL) for the CF job. Morgan is coming off a .304-BA campaign that was driven by an elevated 37% hit rate and impressive 26% LD%. While Morgan is likely to open the season as the starter, Aoki provides an alternative if Morgan reverts to his 2010 form (.253 BA/.258 xBA).
Aoki also...
Almost!
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