Atlanta Braves: Projected Future Rotation in 2016
By John Buhler
Jul 2, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Manny Banuelos (60) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
player. 17. . LHP. Mexico. Manny Banuelos. 60
I expect Manny Banuelos to have a very strong year for the Atlanta Braves as the 4th starter in 2016. He will replace Alex Wood as the go-to lefty in the Atlanta rotation. His stuff is electric and I’m still ecstatic that John Hart was able to pry him from the New York Yankees organization for David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve.
Manny has shown his raw talent in limited action for the Braves this season. His conditioning isn’t there yet as he is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Banuelos is on the DL with a bone spur in his left elbow and given that he has an innings limit in 2015, expect him to come out of the bullpen for the rest of the season if Atlanta doesn’t opt to shut him down early.
More from ATL All Day
- Atlanta Braves: Felix Has Already Shown Enough to Win a Rotation Spot
- Atlanta Braves Implode Late To Phillies, Cole Hamels Remains Sidelined
- Kyle Wright Shines As Folty Struggles In Atlanta Braves Loss To Red Sox
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Braves: Grapefruit League Play Check Up
But in Spring Training, expect Manager Fredi Gonzalez and Pitching Coach Roger McDowell to clamor about Banuelos’ stuff and his all-but-set spot in the 2016 Atlanta Braves rotation. Could Banuelos move up the ladder in the Atlanta rotation at some point? I could see it happening by 2017, but for now he’s a distant fourth behind Shelby Miller, Matt Wisler, and Julio Teheran.
I think the best thing for Manny Banuelos this season is to get himself physically right for next year. We’ve seen him start a handful of games for the Braves this season and I’ve liked what I’ve seen for the most part. But his conditioning has to improve if he expects to pitched competitively in home games in the burdensome Atlanta humidity.
Next: Who Sticks at Five?