Julio Teheran Has To Break Through For Atlanta Braves To Succeed
By W. M. Lawson
Julio Teheran, long billed as the Ace of the Atlanta Braves Pitching staff, has had mixed results during his stint in Atlanta. 2018 needs to show vast improvement.
When writing and editing for a national or regional publication, one of the topics usually discussed is “evergreen” content. Meaning, a topic or information that is relevant in continuum. Something that is interesting whether it is February or November. Something that is applicable in 2018 or 2020. Unfortunately, the “Julio Teheran” conversation for the Atlanta Braves kind of has that feel. It’s just not a good thing.
The Right-Hander from Cartegena has been the nominal “Ace” of the Atlanta Braves staff for years now. The problem is that, while he has flashed potential, there has always been mid-season swoons and lulls to go with that sporadic stellar production.
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His career stats with Atlanta aren’t awful: 3.59 ERA, .243 BA for opposing hitters, (58-53) in 165 games pitched, 860 Strike Outs to 291 Walks. But they are awful if that is your “ace” throwing that out there.
The wins/loss number is always misleading, especially when the rest of the club isn’t giving you any help. Teheran certainly could make that case for a majority of his time with the Braves.
But the ERA is troubling. Only one time has he been sub 3.00 ( 2014) in his career. Only three times has he been sub 4.00 for the year. That is not good enough to lead a staff.
Then the Atlanta Braves moved him into, arguably, the best hitters park in all of baseball in 2017. It is possible, and likely, that his inflated 4.39 ERA from last year was in response to the new park. We’ll know more this year, but if that trend continues, so will the Braves’ losing ways.
I could get into mechanics. We could even talk about personnel, i.e. the former Pitching Coach and his inability to develop talent or even keep them healthy. We’ll save that for another article, though. Too much to get into here.
And it is true that Atlanta, as an entire Pitching Staff, has to find better and more quality production this year to see any overall improvement. Young dudes like Foltynewicz, Gohara, and Newcomb will help control the narrative, as it were.
Next: Atlanta Braves: Is Brian Snitker The Leader For The Future?
But, as it has for the last four years, it all starts with Julio Teheran. My guess is opening Day in 2018 will be no different.