Williams Perez: Able to Stick in 2016 Rotation?

Williams Perez has been a part of the Atlanta Braves starting rotation since mid-May. Tonight actually marks his second start against the American League’s Tampa Bay Rays, his first being his first career start as a big leaguer.

Perez has had an up-and-down season in the Atlanta Braves rotation. The young Venezuelan right-hander has 10 big league starts for the Braves in 13 professional appearances. While he does have a winning record of 4-2 on the year, his WHIP (1.541), ERA (4.48), and ERA+ (85) are some cause for concern for this rookie.

-= Braves Head to Tampa for Two with Rays =-

With an organization now stockpiling young arm talent under President of Baseball Operations John Hart‘s direction, is there a spot for Williams Perez in the 2016 Atlanta Braves’ rotation? Does he have staying power with the Atlanta Braves?

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I look at three current starters on the Atlanta Club as rotation locks for next season: RHP Shelby Miller, RHP Julio Teheran, and RHP Matt Wisler. All three right-handers have Top 3 of the rotation stuff and should file into 2016’s rotation accordingly.

Williams Perez’s main competition for the two open spots next year are LHP Manny Banuelos, RHP Mike Foltynewicz, RHP Tyrell Jenkins, and veteran LHP Mike Minor. All five pitchers, and frankly ever pitcher on Atlanta’s roster has their pros and cons.

I love Perez’s competitiveness, his breaking ball, and his ability to pitch relatively deep into ball games after surrendering runs. His last start against the San Francisco Giants definitely had some positives for Williams Perez despite giving up 6 runs in 6+ innings. The Giants usually come to Atlanta with hot bats, but Perez was able to keep the Giants in check after a few early runs and at least keep the Braves in the game until the top of the seventh inning.

-= Mike Foltynewicz: Future Braves Starter or Reliever? =-

Banuelos has terrific stuff and a dynamic mound presence, but he’s coming off Tommy John surgery and doesn’t seem to have great conditioning, often tiring in the fifth inning. He’s again on the Disabled List with a bone spur in his pitching elbow. Manny Banuelos should stick in the Atlanta rotation for 2016 if healthy, but his string of injuries are concerning.

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Mike Foltynewicz has an electric fastball, doesn’t walk many batters, and takes coaching well. However, his inability to develop a secondary pitch to efficiently retire batters might come as his undoing in the rotation. I expect the Atlanta Braves to see Folty’s trajectory through as a starter deep into next season before consider allocating him to the bullpen.

Jenkins has had a strong first year in the Atlanta Braves organization, splitting time between AA Mississippi and AAA Gwinnett (8-7, 3.01 ERA, 82 K’s). Part of the Shelby Miller/Jason Heyward deal, I see Atlanta at least giving Tyrell Jenkins a look as a starter some point after the September call ups. Expect Jenkins to contend for either a 4th or 5th rotation spot next year. Hopefully he makes the most of any opportunity the Big League club gives him, possibly this September.

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Mike Minor was a top of the rotation pitcher for the Atlanta Braves for several seasons. His recent string of injuries, including missing the 2015 season due to shoulder surgery, have derailed his promising career. Atlanta is known for its pitching reclamation projects and perhaps Mike Minor could bounce back after two injury-riddle seasons with a strong spring for the Atlanta Braves in 2016.

The way I see it now, though Williams Perez may not have the upside of his competition in the back-end of the Atlanta Braves rotation, he seems to have it more together than his competitors at the moment. Where I see Perez’s success or failures as a Braves starter emanating from is if he can limit his walks. When Williams Perez is able to keep runners off base, he has shown promise as a nice back-end of the rotation piece for the Atlanta Braves. While he may not stick in the rotation at this time next year, Williams Perez should stay in the mix at least through May of next year with the Atlanta Braves.

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