Atlanta Braves: Mike Foltynewicz Unceremoniously Designated for Assignment

What now for Mike Foltynewicz?

A player designated for assignment is immediately removed from the 40-man roster. The team has seven days to trade the player or place him on outright waivers. The claiming team must add the player to their 40-man roster immediately.

Teams will try to acquire Foltynewicz; if claimed off waivers, he only costs the pro=rated portion of the minimum wage with the Braves picking up the remainder of his salary.

They will dream on the pitcher with a fastball that sizzled at 97 MPH in the eighth inning of games in 2018 and whose last 10 starts in 2019 saw him throw 57 2/3 innings at a 2.65 ERA, striking out 55 and walking 17.

The magic trick an acquiring team has to perform is divining why a physically fit player who always threw high octane pitches suddenly averages 89 MPH and throws a lot of sliders.

That’s a wrap

I’ve been a supporter of Mike Foltynewicz since I watched that fastball baffle some of the best hitters in the league. I defended him against the ridiculous accusations that he wasn’t mentally tough enough to do the job.

He was always his own worst enemy on the mound but seemed to turn the corner in 2018. When he started badly in 2019, he went to Gwinnett and returned like a man on a mission.

However, for Mike to dominate, he must have his high-velocity fastball, because as we saw tonight, his secondary pitches are good, but not enough to stand alone.

I expect the Angels, Rangers, Pirates, Mariners, and Tigers to join the Marlins and at least kick the tires on Foltynewicz. Wherever he lands, I hope he finds an answer and becomes a dominant starter again, except when he pitches against the Atlanta Braves, of course.