Sep 26, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Julio Teheran(49) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Where Do the Atlanta Braves Put All This Pitching?!
The Atlanta Braves have worked a rebuild over the last two offseasons that has been focused on pitching, both pitching depth and pitching talent. As we enter the last 10 days of 2015, that pitching depth is not only considerable, but it’s arguably TOO deep, if there is such a thing. Let’s take a look at who may end up in starting rotations throughout the upper levels of the organization:
The Major League Level – Atlanta Braves
The rotation seemingly has two guarantees at the moment. Julio Teheran will be the “ace” of the staff, a role he’s really held now for the last two seasons. Matt Wisler will be in the rotation as well after throwing 109 innings for Atlanta in 2015.
Bud Norris was signed for $2.5M, and I would wager that the team intends to have him in the rotation rather than the bullpen at that salary.
Manny Banuelos and Mike Foltynewicz both came up and pitched significant time for the Braves in 2015, but both had legit concerns that would warrant them needing more time in AAA or even a possible move to the bullpen. Right now, I’d personally like to see both starting until they’re deemed not viable MLB starters, so if they’re not going to be starting in Atlanta, I’d rather them be in Gwinnett doing so.
Ryan Weber and Williams Perez could benefit early in the season due to the team wanting to get guys like Banuelos and Foltynewicz regular starts. In April, there are plenty of days off, so a #5 starter will frequently get as few as 2 starts in April. Weber and Perez are more veteran pitchers with less “upside” than the other two guys, and the Braves are likely more comfortable with those guys pitching out of the bullpen between starts and not getting regular starts.
Daniel Winkler is required to be part of the team due to his Rule 5 status from last season, and he’ll likely be in the bullpen while he fulfills that required time in the big leagues, but the team could then choose to transition him back to a starter as well as he was considered a legit prospect as a starter before his Tommy John surgery.
Next: AAA Gwinnett Braves Pitchers
Casey Kelly, Aaron Blair, and Tyrell Jenkins will all be given a chance to compete for a rotation spot, but like Banuelos and Foltynewicz, they’re guys that the Braves will want to get regular starts on the season, so it’s most likely that they’ll be in Gwinnett to start the season in order to get regular starts.
Chris Volstad was a minor league signing this offseason with an invite to spring training. The Braves have had success with guys like this in the past, but most likely Volstad will be rotation filler in AA/AAA, not the major leagues. Likewise with recent signing Jhoulys Chacin.