Brandon Cunniff: The Braves’ Best Rookie Reliever?

The Atlanta Braves bullpen will be entertaining to say the least this summer.  It’s like every series, there’s some new guy we’ve never heard of trying to get outs for Fredi Gonzalez.  I wonder if Eddie Perez knows half of these guys.  So.  Many.  Rookies.  There have been a few first-year big leaguers that have been with the club for the better part of two months now.  One of those guys is RHP Brandon Cunniff.  Might he be the best Braves’ rookie reliever in 2015?

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In 16 appearances for the Atlanta Braves, Brandon Cunniff has pitched 14 innings and recorded 13 strikeouts.  His ERA of 1.93 and WHIP of 0.714 are very impressive for any pitcher.  Wait, I thought this guy walked a ton of batters?  He does as Cunniff has issued 8 bases on balls for the Braves in just 14 innings pitched.

But looking at his stat line on the season, what is most shocking is that Brandon Cunniff has only surrendered two hits.  Two hits!  That’s incredible!  Cunniff has more earned runs (3) than hits allowed (2) and we are almost through May.  It’s probably in part to a very small sample size but outside of one long ball, big league hitters aren’t making solid contact when Cunniff is on the mound.

Is this sustainable?  His FIP of 3.91 indicates otherwise.  Cunniff’s defense looks to have his back very much when he is on the mound in relief.  Along with RHP Cody Martin, these have been the two most consistent rookies in the Atlanta bullpen.  Martin is getting his arm stretched out in AAA Gwinnett in case Fredi needs him for a spot start.  Honestly, we could have used him last night as Eric Stults did not have it at all.  But I can’t put my finger on it, but I think Cunniff’s wildness has been effective thus far.  Opposing hitters are not making solid contact off Cunniff and there is value to that.

It’s weird to say but Brandon Cunniff has been surprisingly decent in the Atlanta bullpen.  This could all unravel in one lousy appearance, but I just wanted to say that he’s done well so far for the Braves.  Let’s hope he keeps progressing and our bullpen gets better because of it.