A Guide to Atlanta Braves Spring Training Drama: Starting Rotation Edition

The Drama

Believe in Banuelos?

I’ve really come around on ManBan as a nickname. Manny Banuelos seems to have come around on what could be his last opportunity to carve out a spot in the Braves rotation. Atlanta is likely still invested in giving ManBan a real shot at building value as a starter, but a poor spring could put the Mexican hurler at risk of a bullpen or AAA start to the season. It would be unnerving-ly easy to get lost amongst the embarrassment of pitching riches making its way through the Braves’ system. Very dramatic.

Is Weber for Real?

As Alan outlined in this piece here at TT, Ryan Weber has made the most out of the rather unexpected opportunity he’s been given to prove himself as a big league starter. Follow the link for more, but Weber is well positioned as a current member of the 40 man roster. If he continues inducing soft contact and commanding his arsenal this spring, the righty could be a mainstay in the 2016 rotation and perhaps beyond.

Bring on Blair?

It’s tough to know what that front office is planning with Aaron Blair in 2016. Perhaps they aren’t sure yet, either. The scouting wisdom on Blair suggests that he is the most MLB-ready arm of the prospect group that is already knocking on the door of the big league club in Atlanta. Blair needs to force the issue with an impressive spring if the Braves are to decide to start his service clock. But if other rotation options are uninspiring, and if the organization prioritizes putting the best squad on the field in 2016, Blair may be on the eve of his first spot in a major league rotation. It would certainly be more interesting than Kyle Kendrick. Speaking of whom…

Reclamation Land.

Bringing in a handful of grizzled veterans from the scrap heap (sorry guys) has become a common theme in modern day Braves Country. A few of those fellas have realistic chances to break with the club, but they’ll have to earn it this spring.

Bud Norris seems pegged for a spot in the rotation, given his body of work and the Braves’ desire for some experience among starting pitchers. He would likely opt for free agency if DFA’d, and his sort-of-significant $2.5M salary might be reason enough for the Braves to balk at casting off the 30 year old.

Kyle Kendrick looks to be more of a low-risk depth move, and his minor league contract supports that view. He would need to look great this Spring for a chance to start the year as a major leaguer.

The same can be said for Jhoulys Chacin, though he is more of a lost upside story and therefore more intriguing. I wrote at length about the former Rockies hurler here for Modern Pastime. Chacin has been plagued with injuries for the last few years, but before that rocky road began he put in a year-plus of very good work a Mile High in the air; his 2013 ranks as the 3rd best season in Rockies history in terms of ERA and FIP:

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So yeah. A healthy, dominant spring from Chacin could put him in the mix for a spot in the Braves rotation.

Next: Not Nearly Done Yet