While the Atlanta Braves lost two of their major rotation pieces this offseason, they still boast one of the best starting rotations in baseball. Spencer Strider will return at some point and join Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Spencer Schwellenbach.
That's a pretty talented top-four for any opposing team to face. The fifth spot in the rotation will be something Atlanta has to figure out but there are plenty of options for them to consider internally. Remarkably, the Braves feature four pitchers that are capable of winning the Cy Young Award.
Our crew here at House That Hank Built provided our opinions on which Braves pitcher will have the biggest impact in 2025.
Braves boast talented rotation, but who will have the biggest impact?
Nick: Spencer Strider - This question really comes down to how quickly Spencer Strider can find his way back into Atlanta's rotation. Chris Sale is coming off an incredible 2024 season but there are clear reasons to believe there could be slight regression. Not only this, but Strider remains one of the most overpowering pitchers in the league. When healthy there isn’t a question of whose stuff is nastier. Strider is going to be back to remind the league of his dominance.
Fred: Spencer Schwellenbach - Schwellenbach may be considered the number three starter behind Strider and Sale, but he’s likely to get more innings than either Strider or Sale. His lack of glitz and glamor obscure the fact that he was one of the league’s best rookies, strikes out five times as many batters as he walks, and had the fourth-lowest barrel rate among pitchers who faced at least 500 batters.
Mitchell: Spencer Strider - Even though he won’t open the season on the Opening Day roster, he’s set to come back close enough to the start of the season that I could easily see him getting 28-30 starts. I think the revelation that he underwent internal brace surgery and not Tommy John has put it to ease that he will return to the ace he was in 2022 and 2023.
Chase: Spencer Strider - I think Spencer Strider will be back in the Majors by late April and quickly remind people why he’s going to be one of the best pitchers in baseball for years to come. His work ethic and dedication to perfection will allow him to come back with a vengeance and by season's end, I think he’s the guy starting game one of a postseason series for Atlanta.
Spencer Strider. ⛽️⛽️⛽️ pic.twitter.com/XUqufI3C8S
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 29, 2024
Eric: Chris Sale - I could easily be convinced of Strider or Schwellenbach here as both are more than capable. However, I think that Sale is comfortable in Atlanta and while banking on his health at his age is pretty risky, he has the sort of stuff that just leads to special things happening. At the end of the day, I am willing to bet on the reigning actual Cy Young winner while acknowledging that things could go sideways in a hurry.
Steven: Chris Sale - Everyone believes in Strider and Schwellenbach being the best rotation pieces. But it’s hard to root against the reigning NL Cy Young. Sale proved last season he’s more than capable of maintaining his health during the regular season and still has gas left in the tank. As Eric said, Sale is happy to be in Atlanta and despite his health risk, he has the stuff to blow away the league’s best hitters. I am optimistic that he can repeat that success in 2025.
More Braves News from House That Hank Built
manual