Atlanta Braves Need Consistency from Mike Foltynewicz in 2020

With all that being said, how does Foltynewciz’s chaotic output last season help shape the new season? Let’s find out what we can expect in 2020.  

In spring training 1.0, Foltynewciz wasn’t exactly a pristine pitcher. In three starts, he went 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in seven innings, giving up six hits and four earned runs.

But that was before the Earth stopped spinning on its axis and before my morning commute transformed into walking from my bedroom into my home office…but, I digress.

In the opening week of spring training 2.0, Alex Anthopoulos said Braves starting pitchers will be limited to three to four innings the first couple of times through the rotation. With (hopefully) plenty of depth this season, Brian Snitker will likely handle the pitching staff with kid gloves early on, utilizing fresh arms in key situations.

If there is positive to come out of the pandemic, from purely a baseball perspective, it’s that starting pitchers will have a lightened load.

In the Braves’ scrimmage on July 9, Foltynewciz tossed three near-perfect innings. He struck out three, allowed just one baserunner, and commanded a lineup that included Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna.

It’s been reported that Foltynewicz was consistently throwing up to six times a week during the four-plus month layoff. He’s expected to make two more game-like appearances before the start of the season, and, if last week’s effort was any indication, coupled with his comments, he should only get stronger.

But there may not always be pressure to go deep into games. And Foltynewciz will absolutely benefit from that, as his track record proves.

For what’s it worth, with the DH going into effect in the National League, he also will not need to worry about hitting. Not that he ever has – he hit .057 last season with two hits in 35 at-bats. He’s a lifetime 0.70 hitter.

With a clear mindset (and a healthy arm), Foltynewciz can be every bit as successful as he proved to be in 2018. The opportunity to be an ace is still there – even if that chance is hanging by a dangling thread. It begins with maintaining emotions and ends with pitching consistently.

In the rotation, he should effectively slot behind both Mike Soroka and Max Fried. His performance becomes even more crucial should Cole Hamels’ arm issues continue to leave the veteran southpaw out of commission.

For projection’s sake for the 2020 season, we’ll be modest without relying too heavily on wishful thinking. Expect Foltynewciz to secure the third spot in the rotation, notching a respectable win-loss record of 4-3 in 60 innings with a 4.20 ERA. If he can figure out proper slider efficiency, the strikeout rate should also revert back to more realistic numbers (count on 54 strikeouts this season).

In a compacted season, Foltynewicz will need to reignite his skill set to mirror what we saw from him in the second-half of last season. What are your expectations for him in 2020? Let us know in the comments.