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Atlanta Braves 2019 New Year’s Resolutions

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA. - MAY 28: Sean Newcomb #15 (blue shirt), Tyler Flowers #25, Freddie Freeman #5, Ozzie Albies #1, and Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves wait at home plate for Charlie Culberson (not pictured) after he hit a walk-off two run pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning during game one of a doubleheader against the New York Mets at SunTrust Field on May 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. MLB players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA. - MAY 28: Sean Newcomb #15 (blue shirt), Tyler Flowers #25, Freddie Freeman #5, Ozzie Albies #1, and Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves wait at home plate for Charlie Culberson (not pictured) after he hit a walk-off two run pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning during game one of a doubleheader against the New York Mets at SunTrust Field on May 28, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. MLB players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – APRIL 08: Pitcher Sam Freeman #39 of the Atlanta Braves throws in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 8, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – APRIL 08: Pitcher Sam Freeman #39 of the Atlanta Braves throws in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 8, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

4. No Free Passes

The most frustrating part of the 2018 season was the number of walks that the pitching staff issues. And even though Sam Freeman is shown above as he led the bullpen with 32 free passes, the starters were just as bad.

Braves starting pitching was worst in the NL giving up 362 walks in 2018. The relievers were second to last at 273, which was just six better than the Marlins bullpen.

Obviously, the Atlanta Braves were the worst in the NL issuing 635 walks. Only the Chicago White Sox were worse in major league baseball.

This was a big reason why former Braves pitching coach Chuck Hernandez was let go, and Rick Kranitz was brought in for 2019.

We’ll see if the change at pitching coach has any effect on the number of walks issued.

It’s not that strange to see a young pitching staff surrender a lot of walks, but the amount the Braves gave up as a pitching staff was outstanding in a very bad way.

Julio Teheran led the team with 84 walks with Sean Newcomb right behind him at 81.

The Braves may be looking to trade Teheran this off-season, and it’s not likely that he’s part of the Braves starting rotation in 2019 (his contract includes 2 more years of control via an option for 2020).

Newcomb has always struggled with command and is young enough that the team hopes he can figure it out next year because his stuff is so good otherwise.

Whatever the case may be, the Braves won’t be able to take the next step forward unless they do a better job of limiting the walks.

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