I officially say that Spring Training has begun, even though it’s only pitchers and catchers. Braves pitchers and catchers began reporting on this past Wednesday to Braves Spring Training Facility in North Port, Florida with workouts beginning the next day, Thursday, February 18, 2021. Full squad set to report Monday, February 22, with full squad workouts to begin the next day.
Starting pitcher, who is slotted to be the ace of the team, Mike Soroka, is coming back from achilles injury from last season. Manager Brian Snitker is going to ease him back in the rotation. He might not be day one starter, but look for him to be out there by May, if not earlier. It will all be determined how his spring training sessions go and how much weight he can place on the recovered achilles. Last year’s ace, after Soroka went down, Max Fried, might be day one starter again. Last year as Braves #1 pitcher, Fried put up some impressive numbers, in 11 games started, he went 7-0 with 4 no decisions. In 56 inning he struck out 50 batters and posted an ERA of 2.25. The Braves have a starting rotation that I think will be able to compete with any opposition that is thrown their way.
2020 Opening Day Rotation
RH Mike Soroka
LH Max Fried
LH Cole Hamels (didn’t start but one game due to injury)
RH Mike Foltynewicz (signed w/ Texas Rangers)
LH Sean Newcomb (in Braves minor leagues)
2021 Projected Opening Day Rotation
RH Mike Soroka
LH Max Fried
RH Charlie Morton (FA signee from Tampa Bay Rays)
LH Drew Smyly (FA Signee from San Francisco Giants)
RH Ian Anderson (my pick for Rookie of Year)
Now we all know how the 2019 rotation ended up. Soroka went down with the achilles injury, Fried moved up to the ace, Hamels never came back from the back injury. Did pitch one game, got blasted, and never game back the rest of the season. Folty was designated for assignment and is currently a part of the Texas Rangers starting rotation. Newcomb was designated for assignment and is currently in the Braves minor leagues. He could still have a huge role for the Braves if they have to go with a spot starter, or place in in the bullpen, in which he played well in the pen during the 2019 season.
Relief pitcher Shane Greene is currently a FA, and my hopes are that Braves re-sign him. Last year he put up an impressive 2.60 ERA and pitched very well in middle relief. Braves need to sign one more arm for the bullpen since closer Mark Melancon signed just this week with the San Diego Padres. Unless the Braves sign another closer, the projected closer will be LH AJ Minter
If the Braves pitching rotation and bullpen can stay healthy, this could be a great pitching staff that could go a long way in the playoffs.
The catcher that is set to catch the pitching staff is starter Travis d’Arnaud. Last year d’Arnaud put up his best year as a hitter with a .321 batting avg, 9 hr, and 34 RBIs on 53 hits. He was the catalyst behind the plate with Tyler Flowers (FA, currently with no team) helping to back d’Arnaud up. Currently the backup catcher position is going to be a battle between up and coming catchers Alex Jackson and William Contreras. The player that doesn’t win the backup position will only be a short drive to Hank Aaron Field (see I added that) at Truist Park from Gwinnett Stripers, the Braves AAA minor league team.
Baseball is back and I couldn’t be happier.
In Other MLB News: -SS Fernando Tatis, Jr has signed a 14-year, $340 million contract with Padres -MLB is set to play 162 game slate -No universal DH, so National League loses DH and pitches have to hit
Header Picture Courtesy of Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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