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

By Philip Tapley Jr.

The battle for the 2016 Atlanta Braves rotation will be DRAMATIC. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The battle for the 2016 Atlanta Braves rotation will be DRAMATIC. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher John Buck talks with pitcher Tyrell Jenkins during spring training workouts at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher John Buck talks with pitcher Tyrell Jenkins during spring training workouts at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sean Newcomb and Tyrell Jenkins may seem to some as notably absent from this discussion. With little reason to rush their young arms though, the Braves are very unlikely to push either of these two into the rotation just yet. Just the same, it will be a downright exciting gander into the future to see these two mix it up against big leaguers this spring. Strong showings from either pitcher could speed their rise to the bigs. 

A tier down from Jenkins and Newcomb, we find pitchers Chris Ellis from the Andrelton Simmons trade and Casey Kelly from the Christian Bethancourt swap. Ellis has been billed as having the ceiling of a back-end starter, and 26 year old Kelly was formerly a big time prospect who has struggled to stay healthy. Keep an eye on how these two fare, as their Spring performances may affect their 2016 trajectory in the organization. Ellis hopes to cement his status as a major league option among stiff competition in the system. Kelly looks to leverage his former prestige as a top prospect and his meager MLB experience to make the Opening Day roster… or at least stay on the 40-man. For those interested in the relatively unknown Casey Kelly, read more here from yours truly and here from the always enlightening Benjamin Chase of TT.

Offseason veteran addition Chris Volstad could be considered a dark horse in this competition. The righty doesn’t project to be part of the Braves major league plans right now, but a resurgent spring could put him in the 2016 pitching mix. He’s made only one big league appearance since 2013, but he has pitched to a 4.92 ERA / 4.61 FIP in 700-ish MLB innings. That counts for something, right?

That’s it for now, dear reader.

Next: A Guide to Braves Spring Bullpen Drama

That’s a lot to process, so study up. We’ve got to get ready for the rabid fandom required of us all to keep this ship sailing. Follow the link above to head over to the Bullpen Edition of this series. The Position Player edition follows later this week. For more until then, check out what Bleacher Report has to say about the Braves’ 2016 Grapefruit League campaign. 

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