Pitching Decisions Looming for Braves

Seems often that one’s opinions are often shaped from their perspective at the time.

O’Brien went on to say:

"“Foltynewicz passed his most important test thus far, as he displayed better composure during Monday’s start against the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium.”"

Additionally, Mark Bowman chimed in:

Atlanta Braves pitcher

. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

I was listening to the Detroit radio broadcast yesterday. Their radio team seemed to have two clear messages about the success of the Tiger hitters against Michael Foltynewicz and Eric Stults:

• There were a lot of good swings taken against Folty; the Tigers seemed to be sitting on his fastball and hitting it hard. Granted, hitters like Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera tend to do that against a lot of pitchers. He threw a lot of pitches, and as a result could not quite finish the fourth inning.
• By contrast, the Tigers could not square up much of anything against Stults – a lot of off-balance swings. Part of that could have been having a “soft-tosser” following the flame-thrower, but yielding just 1 hit over five innings says a lot.

So whether it was “improved composure” or “wasn’t fooling the hitters much” may depend on your perspective… but regardless: today and tomorrow are going to be big decision days.

No Fooling: Deadlines are Here

Wednesday, April 1st. Normally a day for tomfoolery, but it will be decision day at Disney for the Atlanta Braves.

Don’t forget that the Braves currently need two rotation fillers, as Mike Minor is going to be sidelined for April.

Just over a week ago, Fredi Gonzalez declared that Wandy Rodriguez had made the team. He pitched very well that day, but then came back with an iffy outing vs. his former Pirate crewmates (yielding 4 single runs in 5 innings, including 2 homers and 6 other hits). His next turn in the barrel comes today (against his other former club – the Astros), and it will be a key outing for multiple reasons:

• Proving he can bounce back
• Proving to other teams that he can bounce back (for possible trade purposes)
• Helping the Braves figure out what they want to do

What Will They Do? My Calls

This is dependent on Wandy’s performance tonight, but if we can assume that he gives up 2 runs or less, then that will probably be sufficient to get a few things done… which could have cascading effects elsewhere:

• Both Rodriguez and Stults have out-pitched Foltynewicz this Spring. That itself may not be enough in the Grand Scheme Of Things.
• The fact that 2 starters are needed only for a month is going to be a factor:  I believe that either Rodriguez or Stults will be either traded or released. By the way, neither one is on the 40-man roster, and space will be needed for others.
• Foltynewicz is clearly going nowhere, excepting maybe AAA.  I believe he will be the 5th starter when play in Florida ends.
• I believe that the team would prefer to trade Rodriguez, and have Stults as the #4 pitcher for April.
• Once Mike Minor returns to action, Stults would then slide to the 5th spot and Folty then gets the Alex Wood treatment:  he goes to the bullpen until needed.

The Braves need Wandy to pitch well tonight for multiple reasons, but among them include the hope (my opinion – not from any chatter we’ve heard) that he can net them a serviceable outfielder of some ilk. We’ve heard about a desire for a backup center fielder, but I still think that’s hogwash:  we already have 1-to-3 (Cunningham, Gosselin, Perez) who are capable and only need to have a backup for roughly 6-8 weeks whilst we await Melvin’s return.

Regardless: the Braves have actual needs at Left Field and in the bullpen (as in: a lefty who can get LHH out). Wandy could help there… if he does well tonight.

Aren’t We Forgetting Somebody?

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Yes –

. He’s done everything he can to put his own hat into the ring this Spring. But it still may not be enough.

Martin isn’t flashy – he is not a “stuff” guy – but he’s still getting hitters out. He seems to be this season’s David Hale in that regard, though: good pitcher, but might have more trouble during the 2nd and 3rd times through the batting order.

That notwithstanding, all the chatter involves Foltynewicz, Rodriguez, and Stults. Haven’t heard a thing about Martin since his last start. One day he’s “in the mix”, and the next… nothing. But with the departure of James Russell yesterday, it is possible that Martin might get the nod for the role of “long man” in the bullpen.

So We Wait

So we have Wandy Rodriguez, who was telling people that the Braves are his favorite team (that from a TV broadcast this Spring); and we have Eric Stults, who was asked about whether he’d be willing to join the bullpen:

"Yeah, I think so, he said. I haven’t had a lot of experience in the pen. I’ve had really one year where I spent time in the pen; that was in the minor leagues. But like I said, I’ll pitch whatever inning they give me the ball. If that’s what’s got to happen for me to make this team, I’m OK with it."

You gotta like the attitude. You gotta like having a lot of choices. But making the right calls? That will be tough for Fredi Gonzalez and his staff.

We’ll know tomorrow.

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