Atlanta Braves: 5 bold predictions for the NLDS

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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 13: Chad Sobbotka #61 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins during game one of a doubleheader at SunTrust Park on August 13, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Chad Sobotka will have the best numbers of any pure reliever on the roster

While the Atlanta Braves are carrying just 5 true relievers on their 12-man pitching staff, probably the biggest surprise, if you could call it that, was the inclusion of rookie Chad Sobotka on the NLDS roster.

Sobotka blew away fans who didn’t know of him before his call-up at the end of the season with his velocity and towering size. Depending on which season it has been along his minor league journey, Sobotka has been listed at 6’7″ or 6’8″. He’s got long legs and arms that seem to be all over the place until the ball fires toward home plate.

Sobotka pitched across three levels of the minor leagues this season in the Atlanta Braves system, totaling a 2.03 ERA over 44 tames, tossing 57 2/3 innings, with 11 saves, a 1.02 WHIP, and a 29/77 BB/K ratio. He was even better at the big league level, with 14 appearances and 14 1/3 innings, posting a 1.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with a 9/21 BB/K ratio.

While Sobotka has little major league time under his belt, he’s already shown himself to have one of the best arms in the entire Atlanta Braves bullpen, and by the end of this series, the numbers will bear it out.

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