Atlanta Braves: Projecting the Braves’ 2017 Rotation
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves have improved their rotation what will it look like in 2017?
The Atlanta Braves’ rotation has been re-worked this off-season and will look to improve headed up by veteran players. Last season the Braves’ young pitchers struggled to take the steps forward that they were expected to showing flashes of brilliance at times only to be blown off the field at others. Mike Foltynewicz took the most noticeable steps forward using his velocity to get a lot of swing and misses but still struggling to be consistent with his location.
What Foltynewicz did effectively do in his 2016 campaign was show enough promise as a starter to squash any rumors of moving him to the back of the bullpen and more than likely earn himself a spot in 2017 in the Braves rotation. Barring any more trades here is our projected 2017 Braves’ Rotation
Julio Teheran- Teheran will no doubt be the Braves’ opening day starter and the Braves best pitcher barring any unforeseen trades headed into the season. Teheran has struggled with some inconsistencies throughout his career but took multiple steps forward last season and will look to put any inconsistencies behind him altogether in 2017 and establish himself as a clear ace in the National League.
Bartolo Colon- Watching the Mets when Bartolo Colon was on the mound was some of the most entertaining baseball in all of the National League East. Colon makes the game fun, whether it is the homerun cuts he takes at the plate or flipping the ball around on the mound before he induces another ground ball Colon will bring fun both on the field and in the clubhouse for a young Braves’ team.
Not only is Colon a good clubhouse piece he is still a good player even in his forties he has learned how to truly pitch with diminished velocity and will be an innings eater until the Braves’ young guns in the minor leagues prove themselves capable of taking over.
R.A. Dickey- Dickey is a tough pitcher to figure out as he heads back to the National League where he enjoyed his best seasons as a Met. Dickey will work mainly off of a knuckle ball that has caused problems for a lot of lineups in the American League East.
Coming to Atlanta in his forties it is hard to expect much improvement from Dickey, but he has surprised at every point in his career whether it is breaking out with the Mets long after other teams had given up on him or pitching further with a trick pitch than any other pitcher in recent memory. Dickey is a good addition to the Atlanta rotation and like Colon will eat a lot of innings.
Jaime Garcia- The Braves made a uncommon move for them and sent prospects to another team in exchange for a major league ready player in Jaime Garcia.
Garcia has struggled with injury throughout his career and when he was healthy last season struggled to be a productive pitcher. Acquiring Garcia was a good buy low move by the Braves. He could prove to be a be bargain and help to anchor the Braves rotation and if he does fall again to injury the Braves have two pitchers who will be ready to fill in.
Matt Wisler/Mike Foltynewicz- The final spot in the Braves’ rotation will likely come down to a competition between Matt Wisler and Mike Foltynewicz in Spring Training with Folty having a slight advantage headed into the Spring.
Folty’s ability to use high velocity as well as finishing the year on a good note will give him an advantage over Wisler and could ultimately land him the spot. Matt Wiser is a very talented pitcher who has had to learn to truly pitch on the job and has the stuff and ability to be a part of the Braves rotation if he can stay consistent through the Spring and show development as a pitcher.
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Regardless of who wins the final spot in the Braves’ rotation the Braves have improved their rotation drastically and should take a step forward as a team because of it. For Braves’ fans the 2017 season cannot get here soon enough.