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Projecting the 2017 Rotation for the Atlanta Braves

By Jed May

Sep 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (26) throws against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (26) throws against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Heading into next season, the Atlanta Braves will be facing some questions regarding their pitching rotation. Here is a preview of what the rotation could look like in 2017.

This season has been a rebuilding one for the Atlanta Braves. Young prospects have gotten the chance to play and showcase their talents, with the hope of earning more playing time in 2017. Many of these prospects have appeared in the rotation. Players such as Aaron Blair, Tyrell Jenkins and Rob Whalen all made their big league debuts. Mike Foltynewicz and Matt Wisler also made numerous starts after making their debuts in 2015.

With the dramatic offensive improvement over the last couple months of the season, the focus of many fans has now turned to the starting rotation. Who will the first five starters be? Will any prospects who have yet to debut start the year in the rotation? Will the team sign a veteran starter in free agency? Here are some predictions for what the Braves will do with regards to the rotation in the offseason.

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The Locks

As of now, it appears that three players have clinched a spot in the rotation to open 2017. Julio Teheran looks certain to be the ace of the staff. Although he will finish the year with a losing record, Teheran has posted one of the best seasons of his career. His ERA currently stands at 3.10, and his WHIP is just over one. Teheran seems to have put it all together to be an effective major league pitcher consistently. He will provide valuable experience and leadership to what will be a young staff in 2017.

The other two locks have shown flashes this year, but haven’t been consistent. Wisler got off to a great start to the season, posting a 3.16 ERA through the season’s first two months. Then he came back to Earth. Wisler had a 7.71 ERA in 10 starts in June and July, and he was sent down to AAA on July 29. He’s pitched better since being called back up, but he will need to be more consistent in 2017.

Foltynewicz has been unpredictable for most of the season. A good example came in mid-May. On May 14,  he fired eight shutout innings against the Kansas City Royals. Then in his next start, the Pittsburgh Pirates knocked him around for five runs in three innings.

Mar 8, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (78) throws during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Champion Stadium. The Braves won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (78) throws during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Champion Stadium. The Braves won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

In his last 11 starts, Newcomb pitched to a 2.30 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 62.2 innings. With a good showing in spring training, he could find himself starting the year in Atlanta.

Two other prospects to watch are Chris Ellis and Lucas Sims. Ellis tore it up at AA in 2016, posting a 2.75 ERA in 78.2 innings. But he struggled at AAA with an ERA of 6.52. The same scenario applies to Sims’s 2016 season. With a good spring training performance, however, either one of these pitchers could find themselves in the mix for one of the final two rotation spots.

Possible Free Agents?

With all of these options, it might seem odd for Atlanta to try to sign a pitcher in free agency. But general manager John Coppolella has made it known that he wants to acquire at least one veteran arm this winter. Unfortunately for the Braves, the starting pitching market looks very thin.

The top option would seem to be Rich Hill. Hill has pitched great with Oakland and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, sporting a 2.05 ERA. But he will be 38 by the start of next season, and he has been prone to injury throughout his career. In fact, this is only the second season he has logged over 100 innings. Any contract given to Hill would need to contain incentives based on the number of innings pitched.

Other veteran options include Andrew Cashner, Doug Fister and Mat Latos. None of these pitchers alone will elevate the Braves to contender status. But they will eat some innings and be mentors for the younger players on the staff. They would likely just fill in for a year or two until the next wave of pitching prospects is ready.

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Conclusion

The rotation is one of the biggest questions for the Atlanta Braves looking towards 2017. Three spots appear to be locked down, which leaves two to be fought for. Numerous prospects will look to earn the spot, and some free agents could get a look as well. The rotation battle will be very interesting to watch unfold through the winter and into spring training.

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