ATL All Day
Fansided

Tyrell Jenkins: Part of Braves Rotation in 2016?

By Matthew Schoettler

facebooktwitterreddit

Tyrell Jenkins is having a solid season in 2015, while splitting time between AA and AAA. Could Jenkins be poised to join the Atlanta Braves rotation in 2016?

Tyrell Jenkins, acquired this offseason from the St. Louis Cardinals along with Shelby Miller, is pitching admirably for the Gwinnett Braves, posting a 3.48 ERA; however, he has an unsightly 4.48 FIP. Although Jenkins has a high FIP, signs point that he is progressing in the right direction.

-= Related: Daniel Castro: Earning 2016 Roster Spot Now? =-

Jenkins, a former 1st round pick by the Cardinals in 2010, is having debatably his best season as a professional player. In 2015, Tyrell Jenkins has a cumulative ERA of 3.19 and a WHIP of 1.36, between AA and AAA. Over the past two seasons, Jenkins has climbed the minor league ranks. At the start of the 2014 season, Jenkins began the season in Rookie-level ball; moreover, at the end of this season, Jenkins has found himself at AAA.

Climbing four ranks between two seasons is an impressive feat for Jenkins. Across the past two seasons, Jenkins has not had an ERA above 3.57 at any stop, with his 3.57 ERA coming at his highest level of competition yet.

More from ATL All Day

Last season, Tyrell Jenkins pitched a total of 94.1 innings; however, this season, he has upped his innings pitched to 138.1. By pitching nearly 150 innings, Jenkins is showing that he is ready to take on a large workload comparable to Major League pitchers. It should be noted that Jenkins did suffer some shoulder fatigue this season, but that seems to be behind him.

Talking about Jenkins’ strong performance this season, it did not go unnoticed; the Atlanta Braves awarded him, along with Mallex Smith, the organization’s Player of the Year Award. By winning the award at the AAA level, Tyrell figures to contend for a rotation spot next season.

One downfall to Jenkins’ 2015 campaign is his command. Between AA and AAA, he has averaged walking nearly four batter per nine innings (3.97). On the other hand, Jenkins possesses a plus ability to keep the ball in the park, 0.29 HR/9 at AA and 0.79 at AAA. By not giving up the long-ball, Tyrell Jenkins should be able to keep his counting stats in check and be a solid contributor moving forward.

More from Atlanta Braves

With the back-end of the Atlanta Braves rotation being anything but a lock, Jenkins makes a strong case to be considered for the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation, especially with Mike Foltynewicz continued struggles. If Tyrell Jenkins does not crack the big-league rotation out of camp in 2016, expect him to get the call if and when a Braves pitcher succumbs to injury.

Atlanta Braves’ fans, get excited, because Tyrell Jenkins could trigger the next-gen wave of talent to Atlanta. If Jenkins pitches anywhere near his high ceiling in the years to come, the Atlanta Braves will surely walk away as the winner of the preseason trade between them and the Cardinals.

Next: A.J. Pierzynski: Why Braves Should Re-Sign Vet for 2016 Season

More from ATL All Day

Home/Atlanta Braves