Can The Atlanta Braves Bullpen Show Signs Of Improvement In 2016?

A Look At The Atlanta Braves Bullpen in 2016

This offseason, much has been talked on the Atlanta Braves young prospects, rotation woes and the 2016 lineup…but not many are talking about the bullpen.  This portion of the 2016 Braves team could be very improved over the 2015 version.

First let’s take a look at who could possibly be in the Braves bullpen.  Some of these names are on the 40-man roster, others aren’t.

The players who aren’t on the 40-man roster have stars beside their names.

Danny Burawa – RHP

Mauricio Cabrera – RHP

David Carpenter** – RHP

Hunter Cervenka** – LHP

Ryan Kelly** – RHP

Ian Krol – LHP

Matt Marksberry – LHP

Andrew McKirahan – LHP

Alexi Ogando** – RHP

Jose Ramirez – RHP

Paco Rodriguez – LHP

Evan Rutckyj – LHP

Chris Volstad** – RHP

Daniel Winkler – RHP

Chris Withrow – RHP

Carlos Torres** – RHP

Shae Simmons – RHP

Alex Torres** – LHP

Arodys Vizcaino – RHP

Mike Foltynewicz – RHP

Jim Johnson – RHP

Jason Grilli – RHP

Whew…my count is 22 pitchers have a shot at making the Opening Day bullpen for the Atlanta Braves.  Seven of these 22 names are not on the 40-man roster.  They must open some eyeballs to make the team, but it’s possible this happens.

Most teams will carry six or seven relief pitchers on their 25-man roster to start the season.  For the sake of this project, let’s assume the Braves will keep seven.

Seven pitchers heading into the 2016 Spring Training are left-handed pitchers.

Earlier this morning, AJC’s David O’Brien tweeted out that Grilli and the Braves expect him to be ready for the start of the 2016 season.  Also, Grilli himself said this on Twitter…

So let’s count him as one of the bullpen spots.

Next up, Vizcaino.  He pitched so well towards the end of the season in 2015, he’ll be another lock.

If Jim Johnson doesn’t throw beach balls during ST, I’d count him as a lock.

Three spots down

Let’s look at the lefties…Alex Torres, Rutckyj, Rodriguez, McKirahan, Marksberry, Krol, Cervenka and Holmberg.  Rodriguez is gong to miss the entire 2016 season because of Tommy John surgery.  Cervenka and Holmberg aren’t on the 40-man roster, I think they’ll get a nice, “thanks for coming out, do well in the minors”.

Rutckyj is a huge 24-year-old as he stands 6’5″, 213 pounds from the left side.  He hasn’t pitched above Double-A, but was a Rule 5 Draft pick.  If the Braves see enough from him during Spring Training, he should be a fit for a roster spot.  If he doesn’t impress the Braves, he may be out of the organization.

McKirahan and Marksberry pretty much showed in 2015 that they are very similar pitchers.  In the short time they were in Atlanta, both had over a 5.00 ERA.

Torres has a shot at competing for this job.  He’s a veteran of the sport and he’s still only 28-years-old.

Krol is another option for the Braves.  He has MLB experience over the last three years, but has bounced back and forth with minors and MLB.

I think the Braves keep two lefties.  Right now, I’d say Torres and Rutckyj get the nod.

"How much better can the @Braves‘ bullpen be in 2016? It starts with three key arms rehabbing from injury.https://t.co/NfWUdo8y8P— FOX Sports South (@FOXSportsSouth) February 11, 2016"

Five spots down

The final two spots will be tough.  Shae Simmons had Tommy John surgery a year from tomorrow.  He most likely won’t be ready for the start of the season.

David Carpenter is back with the Braves, but which pitcher will he be?  The one from 2013 or the one from 2014-2015.  Actually, when he pitched for Washington, he threw well in the eight games he appeared in.

Folty doesn’t sound like he’ll be ready for the season.  If somehow he is, he’ll probably contend for a rotation spot.

I’m really high on the 6’3″, 200 pound Daniel Winkler.  The 26-year-old appeared in two games last year after recovering from Tommy John.

The once highly rated prospect, Ogando and newly acquired Carlos Torres both aren’t on the 40-man roster and will have some work to do if they want to start the season in Atlanta.

Withrow is someone who can open some eyes in ST.  He had Tommy John and back surgery in 2014 and sat out all of 2015.  He should be ready to go at the start of 2016.

If I’m predicting, I’d say Winkler and Carpenter get the final two bullpen spots.

Let’s also not forget about Kyle Kendrick and what the Braves plan to do with him.  If he doesn’t make the team as a starter, would the Braves push him to the bullpen?

Pitchers and catchers report next week!  It’s an exciting time for baseball fans!!