Braves spring training: Evaluation of starting rotation after two turns through

We take a look at the Atlanta Braves starting rotation through the first week of spring training with almost every starter having two starts.

With the exception of Mike Soroka, who we just want to see stay healthy in spring training, every Atlanta Braves starter has made two starts in spring training.

Now is a good time to give our first evaluation of the rotation and who are the favorites to win the last two spots.

At the start of spring training, maybe just a little before, we knew who the top four would be in Soroka, Cole Hamels, Max Fried, and Mike Foltynewicz.

With Hamels getting injured — likely to miss the first month of the season — now there are two spots open.

As for the top three who are healthy, Soroka has made just one start and looked pretty solid in two innings.

Fried has made two starts with one good one and one stinker. In total, he’s given up 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 4 walks in 3 innings with 2 strikeouts.

I’m not going to worry too much about those numbers, but it would be nice to see him put a clean three or four innings together in his next outing.

Folty is maybe a little more worrisome giving up 4 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 3.1 innings with 4 strikeouts.

But as Folty reminded us, this is just spring training, and he’s already way ahead of where he was this time last year.

Like Fried, I’m not going to worry too much about the numbers for Folty just yet. But considering his up-and-down 2019 season, it’s justified to be a little concerned.