Atlanta Braves Should Remain Patient With Jesse Biddle Despite Early Struggles

Jesse Biddle is one of many Atlanta Braves relievers who is struggling to consistently throw strikes. Despite his struggles, the Braves should stick with Biddle until they have another option.

The problem for the Atlanta Braves isn’t simply an inability to bring in the right relievers. It is a complete lack of bullpen depth leaving manager Brian Snitker guessing who can get outs on any given night.

Jesse Biddle has been one of the least consistent relievers for the Braves walking nine hitters in 11.1 innings pitched. Biddle’s struggles have been surprising considering his consistent production last season.

Despite the walks and seeming inability to get outs the Braves should stick with Biddle if they continue to refuse and sign Craig Kimbrel.

Biddle can no longer be optioned to the minors and seems unlikely to accept an assignment. Leaving the Braves with the option of attempting to let him pitch his way through these struggles or cutting him and letting another team pick up the at times dynamic reliever.

Despite his struggles, this season Biddle has nasty pitches and is capable of being a late inning high impact arm for the Braves. If they are going to continue to refuse and add to their dumpster fire of a bullpen there isn’t any reason not to attempt and let Biddle figure it out.

The problem for Atlanta is the fact that the bullpen is continuing to lose games for the team and keep them out of the top of the division. As long as Atlanta refuses to make a move to address this problem it will continue.

Atlanta isn’t a contender as long as their bullpen is as weak as it currently is. Outside of the 9th inning, the Braves seem to have little idea who is capable of pitching late-inning situations and will continue to struggle in 2019.