Atlanta Braves pitching rumors part deux
By Fred Owens
Something to ponder
I was answering a question on QUORA the other night when I stumbled over something interesting. A pitcher I had been high on a couple of years back but who never quite pulled it together turned up in the answer.
There’s never been a question about his stuff, but he was inconsistent and seemed to go through spells when he was completely lost. He started the season badly in a pitcher’s ballpark pitching to a 5.26 ERA, 1.603 WHIP in eight starts over 53 innings striking out 71 and walking 33.
Over his next eight games however he pitched to a 3.98 ERA, 1.076 WHIP, striking out 54 walking three in 52 IP.
One of those games was a Rockies special blowout at Coors – and every pitcher has one of those. Taking that one out and inserting the game before shows a pitcher with a 2.45 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 50 strikeouts and 19 walks in eight games over 55IP.
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That looks a lot like a pitcher who’s turned a corner. He has a big contract but with the right incentive (prospects his team might take part of that back.
Maybe we should ask the Giants about Jeff Samardzija. Just a thought. . .
That’s A Wrap
I’m not sure why the look at Quintana now unless the loss of Patrick Weigel, Max Fried’s sudden struggles and Lucas Sims’ inconsistency convinced them they need two pitchers.
Don Cooper is one of the top pitching coaches around. If he can’t help him I doubt Hernandez can. Perhaps the Braves believe he’s just depressed. He’s done nothing to change the mind of Hart and Coppolella this year.
If it were my call, I’d go after Archer. Newcomb and Folty slot in at two and three, Julio at four and a pitcher to be named later at five. I’m not interested in Gray at all. if the Jays were looking to move Marcus Stroman I’d be on the phone immediately but I doubt they do that.
That’s today’s rumor folks. More to come I’m sure.