After his second consecutive quality start for the Atlanta Braves on Monday night, the same question is starting to be asked more and more. Should Huascar Ynoa stay in the Atlanta Braves rotation?
Huascar Ynoa was already a member of the Atlanta Braves bullpen coming into this season. However, when manager Brian Snitker opted to go with an “opener” last Wednesday against the Nationals, the young 22-year-old’s number was called to start over calling up one of the other Braves younger pitchers in the minor leagues.
Ynoa got the spot start and excelled as he went 5 innings only allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts. Ynoa was excellent in the outing in Washington to the point where he would receive a second start on Monday night against the Marlins, and boy did he take advantage of it.
Ynoa went 6 dominant innings against the Fish only allowing 3 hits and 1 run while walking 1 and striking out 10. This was an extremely impressive outing for Ynoa who made only one mistake, a solo HR to former Atlanta Braves outfielder Adam Duvall.
Huascar Ynoa should remain in the Atlanta Braves rotation…..for now.
Ynoa has obviously looked incredibly impressive through two starts in which he has combined to go 11 innings of 1 run ball while striking out 15. Ynoa has dominated two very good lineups, why not keep him in the rotation as the fifth starter?
Looking at the Atlanta Braves’ current rotation, Max Fried, Charlie Morton, Ian Anderson, and Drew Smyly are all a given to take the mound every five days leaving one spot open. That spot will most likely remain open until currently injured Mike Soroka is ready to return, but who will fill that spot?
Now obviously the Braves have numerous options to fill the fifth starter role, most notably Bryse Wilson and Kyle Wright. While Wilson and Wright are both deserving, would they be better options than what Ynoa is currently doing?
Think about it, Ynoa has completely dominated hitters in his two starts so far this season, and no this isn’t “luck.” The stuff is there for Ynoa who displays not only a fastball that consistently sits anywhere from 97-99 MPH, but also a wipeout slider that is arguably one of the best pure pitches on this Braves team.
To me the answer is simple, Ynoa is the Atlanta Braves fifth starter until Soroka is ready to return. When that happens, the Braves can return the hard-throwing young right-hander to the bullpen where he should excel in a multi-inning role.
No matter what role the Atlanta Braves choose to use Huascar Ynoa however, there is possibly no wrong answer if he continues his current production.