Julio Teheran: Return to Dominant Form in 2016?

Julio Teheran began the 2015 as the ace of the Atlanta Braves, and was the opening day starter for the ball-club.

As was the theme with many of the Atlanta Braves players during a disappointing 2015 campaign, Julio Teheran struggled for much of the season, failing to maintain his command and control during his starts. From April through the All-Star break, Teheran did not resemble the pitcher that propelled him to an appearance in the 2014 Midsummer Classic for the Braves, recording a 4.56 ERA.

Despite his struggles during the first half of the season where he owned a 4.67, 5.03, 5.08, and 3.94 ERA in April, May, June and July respectively, Julio Teheran began to regain his dominant form following a simple adjustment at the recommendation of Pitching Coach Roger McDowell. In the second half of the season, Julio Teheran was a completely different pitcher — especially in September and in the beginning of October.

Though the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Julio Teheran this past season is disconcerting to say the least, did his second half renaissance indicate that he will fully regain his dominant form next season? I believe so — and it bodes well for an Atlanta Braves team desperately trying to reenter contention and return to the postseason.

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In the second half, Julio Teheran recorded a 3.42 ERA: a stark contrast from the unsightly 4.56 ERA during the first half of the Atlanta Braves’ season. In the final month of the season, Julio Teheran was simply dominant, owning a 1.79 ERA. In his final seven starts of the regular season, Julio Teheran did not give up more than 2 earned runs and had only one start (September 15 against the Toronto Blue Jays) in which he did not pitch more than 6 innings. Julio Teheran also punctuated an excellent final month with 6 shutout innings against the NL Central Champion St. Louis Cardinals.

All of this good work over the final month of the season will benefit Julio Teheran’s confidence going into the 2016 season, and is encouraging for the Atlanta Braves and its fans that Teheran is capable of replicating his past success. With the emergence of Shelby Miller as the Braves’ ace, and the continued development of Matt Wisler and a corps of young pitchers, the Atlanta Braves starting rotation begins to look much more formidable next season with a confident and dominant Teheran. If Julio Teheran does in fact regain his form, look for the Atlanta Braves to have completely different fortunes next season.

Next: Max Fried: Braves' Future Ace?

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