Javier Vazquez struck out 239 batters in 2010, second in the National League. Vazquez actually struck out more batters than the number of grounders he forced, 237.
Javier was the definition of a big-time strikeout pitcher last year, and this takes a lot of pressure off a defense.
The man replacing him in the rotation this year, Tim Hudson, is a notorious ground ball pitcher. Hudson has had four seasons in which he forced 400 or more ground balls, and his season high for strikeouts with the Braves is 141.
In addition to Hudson's low strikeout totals, he is also third on the active list on home runs per nine innings, at .717, and he is 39th on the active list for walks per nine at 2.8.
In Hudson's three full seasons with the Braves, he finished in the top seven in ground ball percentage each ...
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Article written by Ben Duronio
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