Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Gant, Frenchy for the Team?
Weekend Roster Moves and a Bit of Math May Suggest a Couple of Roster Surprises for the Braves
Braves prospect John Gant makes surprise rotation push
The Uribe-Johnson trade was a definitive success for New York — both players hit at or above league average in the second half, giving manager Terry Collins more lineup options down the stretch — but eight months later the other end of the deal is starting to show promise for Atlanta. The Mets dealt from a position of strength with pitching prospects John Gant and Rob Whalen … only adding to Atlanta’s top-rated arsenal of arm talent, though not in the way Sean Newcomb or Aaron Blair during the offseason.
But Gant, 23, is turning heads.
The 15th-ranked prospect in FOX Sports South’s preseason composite is the last remaining top prospect in the Braves’ big-league camp this spring, and given the bleak outlook of the team’s Opening Day options at the back end of the rotation he’s getting a longer-than-expected look for the 25-man roster.
He’s been a genuine surprise in Orlando. The 6-foot-5 righty with the quirky pitching motion was overlooked by practically every outlet (including this one) as top prospects Newcomb, Blair, Tyrell Jenkins and Lucas Sims pushed for MLB time behind the likes of Mike Foltynewicz, Manny Banuelos, Kyle Kendrick, Jhoulys Chacin, Williams Perez and Ryan Weber. The results have been uninspiring, but as Banuelos and Foltynewicz battle back from September surgeries it’s opened the door for Gant to make an impression. And he has: He owns a 1.08 ERA in 8 1/3 innings pitched, logging five strikeouts and just one walk this spring. Opposing hitters are slashing just .200/.226/.233 against him.
Gant exemplifies the upside vs. production debate.
He’s posted excellent numbers throughout the minors, rebounding from rocky 2011 and 2012 seasons in rookie ball to post three straight seasons of a sub-4.00 FIP (fielding-independent pitching) with, for the most part, even better ERA numbers. At Double-A Mississippi, he posted an excellent 1.99 ERA in 40 2/3 innings pitched. His numbers dwarf those of Jenkins and Sims at the same affiliate last season. He may not have the top-end “stuff” of the aforementioned names, but he’s proven in camp that he’s at least capable of staring down MLB hitters.
Editor’s Note: This doesn’t surprise any of us, as we’ve been watching Gant for some time. The only real surprise is that it’s happening this quickly. The expectation is that Gant has a chance to be the bullpen’s long reliever on Opening Day… the 13th pitcher that Fredi Gonzalez has used when his rotation has either been not-quite-ready for 6-8 inning stints or else just not-quite-ready period.
Dillard is suggesting that Gant has a shot at the 5th rotation position, and that could be the case as well, but that would be a real surprise: it seems more likely that Gonzalez and McDowell can find 3 pitchers to use among Banuelos, Perez, Chacin, and Norris.
Expectation: Gant does make the bullpen, and lasts for a couple of weeks – possibly the end of April – at which time he’s optioned to Gwinnett to resume his work towards actually cracking the rotation for real.
But of course, the rotation is rather shaky, so stay tuned… Gant and Aaron Blair are both “thatclose“.
Next: Bye, Bye Boni?