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Five Atlanta Braves Pitchers Who Can Be a Difference Maker

By W. M. Lawson

May 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Eric O'Flaherty (34) pitches during the sixth inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won the game 5-0. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Eric O'Flaherty (34) pitches during the sixth inning of the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won the game 5-0. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Braves enter 2017 with expectations of winning. To do that, though, one, or more, of these five pitchers need to have a breakout year.

5. RP- Arodys Vizcaíno (R)

Atlanta Braves
Mar 3, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (38) throws a pitch during the sixth inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Of all the pitchers listed here, Arodys Vizcaíno has had the most tumultuous career, heretofore, but probably has the most potential to help Atlanta in 2017. Vizcaíno came into the league, and the Braves organization, with hype. At one point he was listed with Julio Teheran as the best prospects in Atlanta’s farm system. But “Tommy John” surgery in 2012, and then an 80 game suspension in 2015, halted whatever promise had been shown.

Still, in the later part of 2015, Vizcaíno posted a 1.60 ERA in 33.2 innings. There was a bit of a regression in 2016, but this spring he has posted a 1.00 ERA in 9 innings pitched with 13 strikeouts. He’s also clocked consistently in the upper-90s.

Next: Atlanta Braves: 2017 Lineup Coming Into Focus as Spring Training Winds Down

Were Arodys Vizcaíno to find his form in 2017, it would give Johnson cover to close games out, and solidify the back-end of a bullpen that needs answers. There is no way to know if he can do it for an entire year, but if he can, look out.

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