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Analyzing Pitching Requirements for the Atlanta Braves

By Alan Carpenter

Apr 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell (45) checks on starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) during the game against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell (45) checks on starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) during the game against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 24, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair (36) delivers a pitch to a New York Mets batter in the first inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair (36) delivers a pitch to a New York Mets batter in the first inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Forming Some Answers

More from Tomahawk Take

If you were trying to add that much pitching, how would you accomplish this?  There should be some goals in mind:

  • Add a #1 or #2 starter to take the pressure off of…well, all three of the incumbents.
  • Add a solid “innings eater” for the back end to insure that 4th or 5th day isn’t a “hold your breath” game that destroys the bullpen.
  • Add someone willing to be stashed at AAA for spot-starting purposes.

These would be the baseline goals.  Anything more would be gravy.  It would allow new pitchers to complement and support the 3 already here and allow rookies to earn their way in over time without needing to make an immediate impact.

That’s certainly consistent with this remark from Dave O’Brien:

"What the Braves don’t want to do again is watch multiple young starting pitchers going the trial-by-fire course, getting knocked around mercilessly or coming apart at the first sign of adversity. They love their young pitching, but want to make sure they can develop it at a proper pace while waiting for the elite arms to arrive in coming years."

Julio Teheran is going nowhere.  Mike Foltynewicz and Matt Wisler have now established themselves are major league staters, having mostly worked through their own trials-by-fire.  It does not make sense to dismiss, demote, or otherwise dispense with any of these if the Braves are intent on adding additional support.

It is instead the Aaron Blairs, John Gants, Tyrell Jenkinses, or as future rookies the Chris Ellises, Sean Newcombs, Lucas Simses of the world that this scheme aims to protect.  That is the point of Coppy’s plan.

So there is an answer for Question 1.  But that’s the easy question.

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