The Atlanta Braves missed out on today’s Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman
By Jeff Schafer
The Braves missed the boat on Stroman in 2012
The Atlanta Braves are at home tonight at the great SunTrust Park and will be up against the Toronto Blue Jays and starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. When doing research for this four-game away/home series with the Jays, I got to wondering where this 5’8″ 180-pound right-handed pitcher (Stroman) came from.
Stroman pitched for Duke University for three years (2010-2012) and was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round of the 2012 MLB Draft. The college, nor the team that drafted him really matter for this — what stands out to me is where Stroman was picked and what could have been…
Marcus Stroman was taken by the Jays with the 22nd pick in the 2012 draft. Guess who had the pick right before that? Yep, you probably guessed it if you’re on this site…the Atlanta Braves.
The 26-year-old is turning into an MLB superstar on the mound. In his fourth professional season, he’s 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in eight starts. In two of those eight starts, he’s gone the distance throwing a complete game. Stroman has struck out 40 batters and walked on 14.
Stroman is progressively getting better on the mound. In the 2017 World Baseball Classic, he shined for Team USA and helped them win the tournament. Following the championship game, he was named the WBC MVP.
There’s no getting around it, this guy is a stud. But that’s enough Jays Love. Let’s get back to that 2012 MLB Draft.
20 teams passed on Stroman and the Braves were one of them
Yup…20 teams — the Jays actually had the 17th pick in this draft, that’s why only 20.
This MLB draft was actually stacked with MLB talent just in the 1st round. It’s highlighted by Carlos Correa going number one to the Astros, Byron Buxton going number two, Mike Zunino going number three to the Mariners and Kevin Gausman going number four to the Orioles. All four are currently in the MLB.
Going further doing the list we see MLB names like David Dahl drafted 10th, Addison Russell drafted 11th, Lucas Giolito drafted 16th, Corey Seager drafted 18th and Michael Wacha drafted 19th.
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That brings us to the Braves 21st selection
The Atlanta Braves didn’t strikeout with this pick, we’re just still waiting to reap the benefits from it. We picked Lucas Sims with the 21st pick.
Sims is currently cruising through Triple-A hitters. He’s 4-0 with an ERA of 2.16 in seven starts in 2017. He’s struck out 42 and walked only nine. Three of the 10 runs he’s given up this year have been home runs.
The 23-year-old looks primed to make his major league debut at some point this season if he continues to pitch like he has.
Sims struggled in 2016, posting a combined 4.40 ERA in Triple-A and Double-A. This year, he’s taking a different approach.
“After the season, you reassess: what went well, what didn’t go well, what kind of adjustments I need to make,” he told MiLB.com. “I sat down and got real with myself. It’s come a long way, starting to feel really good about it,” referring to his command and control. “Just trying to be aggressive and really just go after guys, trying to make the hitters earn their way on.”
In the Braves deep minor league, Sims is currently listed as the Braves 18th ranked prospect (according to MLB.com).
The great debate: Stroman or Sims
Okay…let’s play the “what if” game. What if you could go back to that 2012 MLB draft and sit on the clock at number 21. Would you pick Stroman or Sims? Stroman is further into his career already, so keep the age difference in mind.
Next: What is the worst case scenario for 2017?
Stroman starts tonight against the Braves and Julio Teheran. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35pm ET.