A look ahead to the Atlanta Braves’ 2018 Opening Day roster

Bullpen

The Braves certainly need to make efforts towards a younger bullpen in 2018. Veterans in the bullpen are necessary to provide some certainty to the mix, but if Atlanta is going to embrace their youth movement in 2018, they need to do so wholeheartedly. The Braves have young arms ready to fill the bullpen just as they do for the rotation, and 2018 is the year that the youngsters take control.

Due to the depth that the Braves have, they’ll likely employ an 8-man bullpen for most of 2018. This will help avoid the overuse of any one guy, and hopefully will give the Braves the late-game security that has been such a rarity this year.

1. Luke Jackson

Luke Jackson has had two bad outings recently against the Rockies (1 IP, 6 ER) and Cubs (1 IP, 3 ER) that have inflated his ERA a bit. Aside from those implosions, he’s been alright.

This year has technically been his rookie year, so we’re looking at Jackson being in his second full season next year, his age 26 season. He’s shown that he can eat multiple innings out of the bullpen, with his longest outing this year being 4 innings.

Luke Jackson is absolutely a key piece to the Braves’ bullpen, at least for the next year or two.

2. Lucas Sims

Many see Lucas Sims as a starter because of the way he was groomed in the minor leagues, and he’s definitely shown that he can start games and go deep into them. In the grand scheme of things, however, Sims just doesn’t beat out Fried or Gohara for a spot in the rotation.

We’ve only had a limited glimpse of him in a relief role, but he certainly looks comfortable coming in during the middle of a game. Lucas Sims could serve as the Braves’ second long relief option for 2018 while also maintaining the ability to come in and work a shutdown inning when it’s asked of him.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him given spot starts here and there to take some stress off of this young rotation.

3. Sam Freeman

When the Braves signed Sam Freeman to a minor league deal, no one expected him to come up to Atlanta and be one of the bright spots of the bullpen this year.  The Braves are paying him league minimum salary this year, and he’s eligible for arbitration for 2017.  Of note: Freeman will be 30½ years old before Spring Training begins.

His 2.89 ERA sits 3rd among Braves pitchers with at least 30 IP this season, and he’s giving up less than a hit per inning pitched, while striking out just over one batter per inning. Freeman will be the veteran backbone of the bullpen in 2018, and I expect him to be an innings-eating machine all year.

4. Dan Winkler

Braves fans waited and waited for the arrival of their team’s 2014 Rule 5 selection, and now that he’s healthy, Dan Winkler is doing what he should be doing.

Winkler has given up just 3 hits and has struck out 11 men in 8.1 innings since completing his extended rehab assignment after fracturing his elbow last season.

While we only get a limited look at him this year, the promising signs he’s showing will earn him a spot in the Atlanta bullpen next year… and finally get him out of Rule 5 purgatory.

5. Akeel Morris

Akeel Morris may be my favorite reliever that I’ve seen in a Braves uniform this year. His change-up is something special, and he’s just as effective against the 1-2-3 section of a lineup as he is the 7-8-9.

The series of events that led to Morris being sent back down to AAA confused many, including myself, but it’s almost a guarantee* that he’ll start 2018 in the MLB. He certainly made his case during his short time in Atlanta, posting a 1.23 ERA in 8 relief appearances.

*Here’s something about the “almost” bit… on why Morris isn’t already in the majors:

A strange answer, for sure… I would think they could find him a chair.

6. A.J. Minter

A.J. Minter was a strikeout machine across four levels of the minor leagues this year. The Braves knew they could fast-track Minter to the MLB after they drafted him out of college in 2015, and they’ve done just that.

The lefty logged just 59 innings in the minors before getting the call in August, and in his 7 appearances thus far, has looked sharp. Minter has yet to walk an MLB hitter, and while it’s unrealistic to expect that trend to continue forever, it’s a sign that he has exceptional control of his pitches, and will likely keep his baserunner count to a minimum.

A.J. Minter has the potential to be an Andrew Miller-type reliever, and that’s excellent company to be in.

7. Jose Ramirez

If you look up the word ‘dominant’ in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of Jose Ramirez. His 2.28 ERA leads the team (min. 30 IP), and he’s given up just 5.7 hits per nine innings. That’s incredible, especially when compared to others in the Braves’ bullpen.

Ramirez will touch triple digits every now and then, and has grown accustomed to blowing his fastball by guys to get through the 7th or 8th inning quickly. I think he and Minter will split the ‘setup man’ role in 2018 for our closer, who throws just as hard (if not harder).

8. Arodys Vizcaino

Part two of the flame-throwing, lights-out duo is Arodys Vizcaino. I’ve wanted him in the closer role since the beginning of last season, and now we’re getting just that.

Vizzy has been known to touch 100mph, and has slightly better walk and strikeout rates than Jose Ramirez, which is why he’s the 9th inning guy the Braves need. I won’t directly compare Vizcaino to former Brave Craig Kimbrel, but one might say that he’s a cheaper version of our lost treasure.