Atlanta Braves Should Keep Julio Teheran Despite His Inconsistent Career

The Atlanta Braves are headed to the postseason for the second straight season and for the second straight year Julio Teheran is unlikely to make the rotation. Teheran has struggled badly and likely to be replaced by Mike Foltynewicz.

While the Atlanta Braves decision for the postseason rotation seems to be finalized they still have to decide Teheran’s future this off-season. Julio Teheran is finishing off yet another inconsistent season for the Braves.

Much of the frustration that is sent in Teheran’s direction is unfair considering his contract and how many innings he eats. The frustration comes from the fact that Teheran was expected to be a top of the rotation piece.

Instead, he has evolved into an innings eater who is at his best when he is commanding the strike zone and getting soft contact. He isn’t anything close to a strikeout pitcher and doesn’t have a power pitch. Because of this, there will be starts where he simply doesn’t have it.

That was the case in his last outing when he failed to make it three innings giving up six runs and looking defeated and tired.

Still, Teheran has won 10-games this season with a 3.81 ERA and had stretches of being simply dominant.  The Braves should continue to be patient with Teheran and bring him back for another season.

What he brings to the roster cannot be easily replaced even if he isn’t the pitcher you want on the mound during the postseason. Having a pitcher like Julio on this roster is important until at least one more young arm proves themselves to the Braves.

Teheran is 77-73 in his career with a 3.67 career ERA, not bad numbers at all in an increasingly hitter-friendly league. Despite the frustration with his inconsistencies bringing Teheran back for another season is the obvious move for a Braves franchise who continues to head in the right direction.