Atlanta Braves: Mike Foltynewicz Proving Doubters Wrong

The Atlanta Braves have struggled to pitch consistently this season getting their best pitching from Mike Foltynewicz. The young flame thrower is showing surprising improvement that may keep him in the Braves rotation for some time to come.

If you had asked an Atlanta Braves fan before the season begin who the Braves most consistent pitcher would be the resounding answer would be Julio Teheran. That has not been the case for the Braves early on this season Teheran has been unable to pitch at home and seems to only keep his team in games when on the road.

Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey have been inconsistent as well and Jaime Garcia is consistently average. Mike Foltynewicz has been the Braves best pitcher early on this season take away a bad relief appearance and his one truly bad start and his number are ace like.

Foltynewicz has taken a lot of heat from this site included for not being able to control his emotions or pitches only throwing the ball past hitters and not truly pitching. That has changed this season Foltynewicz has learned that he is at his best when pitching to contact attempting to let hitters get themselves out not  trying to blow it past every batter.

This growth has resulted in Folty being the Braves best pitcher so far this season and should earn him a very long look in the Braves rotation. The one thing that still obviously needs work is his anger and composure on the mound. More than once this season he has seemed to lose his composure and check out when things do not swing his way.

The Braves are going to have to be patient with Foltynewicz as they have been for the past two years but if the growth continues to trend in the right direction Folty could soon become an integral part of a very talented young core the Braves are assembling.