The Atlanta Braves were busy this offseason, wheeling and dealing their big name Major Leaguers, in return for promising young arms. One of them appears to finally be ready. Braves Country will be able to see if the moves were worth it Friday night.
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Mike Foltynewicz, who was acquired in the trade that sent fan favorite Evan Gattis to the Houston Astros, will make his Atlanta Braves debut tonight. The Braves are reeling, losing their last three games by allowing 13, 13 and 5 runs respectively. Normal number five starter Trevor Cahill was used in Tuesday’s humiliating loss to the Nationals, in which the Braves led both 9-1 and then 10-2 before falling 13-12.
That’s neither here nor there, because the truth is, Foltynewicz should have probably been the fifth starter over Cahill since Opening Day. Despite Fredi Gonzalez insisting the move to the bullpen for Cahill is not permanent, the 27-year old righty has not been a quality pitcher in some time. Cahill has made four starts his year, one of which he made it out of the fifth inning, and two of which he didn’t make it out of the third. Four runs have scored while he has been on the mound in every start (albeit one of those starts only 3 were earned), but the reality is Cahill was 3-12 with a 5.61 ERA. These past four starts aren’t a slump, they are a trend.
Now, take a look at Foltynewicz. The 23-year old right hander, known for his blazing fastball, has been untouchable across his first four starts in Gwinnett (AAA). Sure, if you look at his record, you scratch your head as he sits at 0-3, but that is because the G-Braves were slumping offensively.
Foltynewicz has made four starts in the International League. Over 21.2 innings, he has allowed just five runs (a 2.08 ERA). He has struck out 30 batters over the same span. The Braves No. 3 prospect has been a bit erratic with the walks (10 over the same span) but many young fireballers often are, trying to pitch in and out, instead of straight heat.
The young righty impressed everyone in his second to last start. He pitched a complete game, which the G-Braves lost 1-0 to the Norfolk Tides. He introduced his new slider, which comes across hard and fast, and struck out nine in the process. More amazingly, when he came out for the 8th inning, he hit 99 miles per hour on the radar gun. And that was after he had already thrown more than 80 pitches on the evening.
Foltynewicz made his Major League debut last season, and to say it wasn’t pretty is an understatement. But this is a new year. He had a Major League spring training in the Grapefruit League, and he has been on fire in the International League. His pitch arsenal is improved with a new pitch, and his fastball is sharper than ever.
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The Braves square off against the Cincinnati Reds in his debut. Foltynewicz is scheduled to take on another one of baseball’s promising prospects who was traded this offseason, Anthony DeSclafani. DeSclafani has been on fire himself, allowing three runs in his first four career starts for the Reds, who acquired the 25-year old righty from the Miami Marlins in the Matt Latos deal.
Tonight could be a glimpse into the future of baseball’s top pitchers. But more importantly, it could be a look at the new Braves rotation. Should Foltynewicz come out and pitch like he has been, Cahill’s days will be numbered.