Atlanta Braves: Projecting the 2018 bullpen
Waiting in the Wings for the Atlanta Braves
Akeel Morris and Josh Graham have pitched well this spring and are expected to begin the season at AAA. Both should see time in Atlanta at some point. Morris threw 7.1 IP but allowed 10 baserunners. He has an outside shot at making the opening day roster and would slot in as a swingman and provide depth.
Jacob Lindgren, a young lefty, has posted eye-popping K/9 rates throughout his minor league career. Moreover, health has been a limiting factor, throwing less than 65 IP since 2014. He has the stuff and makes up to push for innings provided he can stay on the field.
We could also see former prospects Aaron Blair, Matt Wisler, and Lucas Sims see time in the pen. Wisler has been nothing short of terrible since being acquired in the Craig Kimbrel deal in 2015. It warrants mentioning though that at the time of the trade he was the Padres top prospect. The pedigree and stuff are there, and Wisler is only 25. In his seven spring innings, he has been extremely useful.
He along with Blair still have options, and the Braves may choose to utilize them in a starting capacity at AAA. However, if injuries hit the rotation, they may go along with Max Fried and Lucas Sims will get the first crack as opposed to top prospects Kolby Allard and Mike Soroka.
Out of Options
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Speaking of options, Luke Jackson threw 50.2 IP for the Braves in 2017. He along with Ramirez, Whitley, and Josh Ravin will get long looks in the spring. Jackson and Ravin claimed from the DDodgersin November have struggled in a small sample size. With the bounty of arms in camp, Ravin and Jackson will need to start putting up zeros for a shot to make the team
The success of the Braves bullpen will rely on three factors. The stability and development of the rotation. Teheran, Folty, McCarthy, Newcomb, and one of Kazmir, Gohara, and Fried will have to stay healthy and effective to avoid overuse of the pen.
As much as the success of the 2018 Braves revolves around the development of their top prospects and young players, manager Brian Snitker will also need to develop as a manager. As Sam Meredith of Talking Chop pointed out, Snitker has developed a reputation for misusing players.
Rex Brothers was extremely unlucky in 2017. He had a 7.23 ERA but a 3.66 FIP and a 12.55 K/9 ratio!
— Sam (@SamTheMan180) March 1, 2018
Rex was also used incorrectly big time.
13.2 IP against righties and 10 IP against lefties.
Against RH: .273/.375/.473 w/ 17K.
Against LH: .216/.293/.351 w/ 16K.
Rex Brothers was not the only case. Snitker’s loyalty to Jim Johnson was a point of many Braves’ fans frustrations in 2017. Defined bullpen roles with usage that is based on putting these young pitchers in the best role to succeed are vital which brings us to last factor.
Next: Braves 2018 Season Preview
The bullpen will need to take advantage of opportunities given and instill trust in the manager and the fan base. The talent is there. The ability to throw hard and post 10+ K/9 is there. Now all they need to do is collectively put it together and Atlanta Braves fans could be in for a treat in 2018.