Aaron Blair returned to the Braves rotation this past weekend and his struggle continued as he could not seem to find outs. Is he pitching his way out of the Atlanta Braves future plans?
Coming into this season Aaron Blair was thought to be a key part of the Atlanta Braves‘ future pitching staff. He joined Dansby Swanson in the blockbuster deal that brought them both to Atlanta, along with Ender Inciarte, in exchange for Shelby Miller. While this deal has looked very one-sided in favor of the Braves, Blair has yet to capitalize on his potential.
The problem for Blair is again finding his confidence and being the pitcher he is capable of being. The Braves may have brought Blair up too early due to the lack of depth in their Major League rotation. Blair has done well in the minors this season, but has yet to win a Major League game and sporting an earned run average well over eight.
This doesn’t mean, however, that Blair is still not considered a building block for the Braves rotation in the future. Well known Braves starters Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux both sported ERA’s well over five their first two seasons in the Major Leagues. This is not to compare Blair’s talent to Hall of Fame players, rather to say even the best pitchers the Braves have had in years past struggled to make the adjustment. Blair will be afforded at least another season to find if he can get it together and compete at a Major League level.
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The problem for Blair so far looks to be a mix of lack of confidence and pitch location. Blair’s pitches seem to have little movement or to be located outside the zone. This is a problem most all pitchers go through when adjusting from the minor to the major leagues and, one that is fixable, is Blair spending plenty of time working on it.
Confidence and mound presence are everything for young pitchers and Blair has neither just yet. While he does have mound presence early in a game, it seems to dissipate with each pitch. Blair has to find a way to work on both his confidence level and presence on the mound. Both of these things will be improved if he can improve his ability to locate. Both confidence and mound presence will come in time.
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Aaron Blair is a good player, just one who has struggled to make the adjustment just yet. The Braves shouldn’t give up on Blair just yet he is a still a young player who is a part of a rebuilding team with plenty of time yet to show that he deserves to be part of the Braves rotation long-term.