Braves 2019 Projected Roster

As the Atlanta Braves continue on and come towards the end of their rebuilding process, it is evident that many pieces on the 25-man roster will not be around to see its end. A majority of their talent and future ball club lies in their farm system, which is ranked as one of the best among the Major Leagues. When Atlanta begins play at SunTrust Park next season, glimpses of their future lineup may be on display. Many pieces of the puzzle have already been figured out and it’s just a matter of time before they’re in The Show. From Mississippi Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson to Rome Braves pitcher Touki Toussaint, Atlanta’s future is bright and beginning to take its shape. Now, we will take a look at the pitchers on the Atlanta Braves 2019 projected roster.

Pitching Rotation

1. Julio Teheran, RHP

For the past two seasons, Teheran has already been the ace of the staff.  He’s started the last two Opening Days and is a two-time All-Star. Barring an injury or trade, Teheran will still be the ace of the Atlanta pitching staff come 2019. In his career, Teheran has a 43-38 record as well as a 3.31 ERA.

2. Sean Newcomb, LHP

The Braves think highly of the 23 year-old and have every intention of him sticking around for a long time. Newcomb is the Braves’ number three overall prospect and could make the jump to The Show in no time. Newcomb has touched in the triple digits with his fastball and sits consistently in the mid-to-high 90’s. His arsenal features an effective curveball that will result in plenty of swing-and-misses and a changeup that is at least average by MLB standards. He is currently pitching in Double-A Mississippi and owns a 5-7 record with a 4.44 ERA in twenty-one starts.

3. Tyrell Jenkins, RHP

Jenkins was originally acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Jason Heyward trade back in 2014. Heading into the 2016 season, he was listed as the Braves number seven overall prospect by MLB.com. He made his Major League debut on June 22, 2016 in a relief appearance against the Miami Marlins. Tyrell recently turned 24 years of age and has appeared in eight games for Atlanta this season, six of which have been starts. He’s compiled an ERA of 4.91 to accompany a 1-2 record. With Tyrell’s young age and high ceiling to go along with his lofty expectations, you can slate him in as a middle of the rotation starter by the 2019 season.

4. Kolby Allard, LHP

Allard was the young arm that the Braves selected with the 14th pick of the 2015 MLB Draft. As it stands, Allard is Atlanta’s fourth overall prospect and the second highest rated pitcher in their farm system. Before the MLB Draft and during his senior season of high school, he underwent what is considered to be a minor back procedure. This enabled him to drop to the Braves in the middle of the first round. Allard’s 2016 campaign has been split between the rookie affiliate Danville Braves and the Class A affiliate Rome Braves.  He’s compiled a 3-3 record with a 3.58 ERA in 10 games started. Allard is anticipated to be a huge part of Atlanta’s future and at just 18 years of age, there’s plenty of time for him to grow into a Major League starter.

5. Max Fried, LHP

The fifth and final spot in the rotation for the Braves is virtually a toss-up.  There are potentially 3-4 candidates to fill this spot. Max Fried, Atlanta’s number 11 overall prospect, was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres with the 7th overall pick in the 2012 draft. Fried was dealt to the Braves in the Justin Upton trade in the off-season following the 2014 campaign. He missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Fried is currently pitching for the Rome Braves and has made sixteen starts. He’s collated a 7-5 record to accompany a 3.50 ERA.  Consistently, Fried will bring in his fastball in in the low-to-mid 90’s with a plus-curve and a changeup that he’s enhancing. At 22 years of age, he may make a quicker jump through the ranks of Atlanta’s farm system compared to younger prospects. Regardless, expect him to be a part of Atlanta’s roster whether it’s in the bullpen or in the rotation.

When it comes to the final spot in the starting rotation, don’t be surprised if Lucas Sims, Matt Wisler, or Mike Foltynewicz fills that role for the Braves.

Bullpen

Manny Banuelos, LHP

In my projection of the Braves roster, Banuelos is the only lefty in the Atlanta bullpen. Banuelos was originally a Yankees farm product but was sent to the Braves in a trade following the 2014 season. As of now, he is the Braves number 22 overall prospect. Injuries have been a constant in Banuelos’ career with Tommy John causing him to miss much of the 2012 and 2013 seasons and a bone spur in 2015 causing him to be shut down. He made his debut on July 2, 2015 pitching 5.2 innings against the Washington Nationals.

Banuelos has had an up and down career and has the potential to have an impact in the bullpen or as a starter if he can avoid injuries. One distinct advantage that he will have is being a lefty. He may not have the dazzling fastball following his surgery but he has the advantage in having three off-speed pitches. Those of which include an above-average changeup, curveball, and a recently annexed slider/cutter. Seeing as he is 25 and the Braves are loaded with pitching prospects, Banuelos will need to step up to the plate and compete for a spot in the Atlanta bullpen. He’s currently pitching in Double-A, and sports an 0-1 record and a 5.02 ERA.

Shae Simmons, RHP

Simmons was originally selected by the Braves in the 22nd round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Southeast Missouri State University. He made his Major League debut on May 31, 2014. Impressively enough, Simmons gave up his first home run since his senior season in college on July 19th, 2014. Simmons posted a superb ERA of 0.96 in his first 20 appearances before eventually being shut down with shoulder soreness. Prior to the 2015 season, an MRI revealed that he had suffered a tear in his UCL of his throwing elbow requiring him to undergo Tommy John surgery. Overall, Simmons has posted a 1-2 record with a 2.91 ERA. When he returns from injury, expect him to be a huge bolster to the Braves bullpen for years to come.

Mike Foltynewicz, RHP

The Braves acquired Foltynewicz from the Houston Astros in the Evan Gattis trade prior to the beginning of the 2015 season. He made his Braves debut on May 1, 2015 earning the win against the Reds after throwing five innings and giving up two runs. Foltynewicz has been called up to the Braves roster three different times and suffered various injuries causing setbacks in his performances. This season, he’s pitched to the tune of a 4-5 record and a 4.60 ERA. in thirteen starts. If Foltynewicz can avoid injuries and pitch at the level he is capable of, he will be a influential part of Atlanta’s future.

Lucas Sims, RHP

Sims was selected by the Braves with the 21st pick in the 2012 MLB Draft.  Coming into the 2016 season, he was ranked as the Braves number 12 overall prospect. Since then, he’s dropped two spots to number 14 despite a strong surge as of late. Sims’ fastball ranges from 93-95 and can get up to 97 mph. He compliments his fastball with an above average breaking ball and an average Major League changeup. His 2016 season has been split between Double-A and the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. Sims is currently pitching for the Mississipi Braves.

This season altogether, he’s compiled a 5-9 record in addition to a 4.77 ERA in twenty-one games started. Sims is expected by many to be part of the Major League club next season. Assuming Sims continues his trend of pitching, Atlanta will have him as an option in the bullpen or in the rotation for many seasons to come.

Matt Wisler, RHP

Like many of the Braves young arms, Wisler was obtained via trade. He was sent to the Braves from San Diego as part of the Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. trade before the 2015 season. Wisler made his MLB debut on June 19th, 2015 as he started and earned the win against the Mets. With the Braves, he’s had stints in the bullpen as well as the starting rotation. This season in the Majors, he’s collected a 4-11 record with a 5.16 ERA. Wisler has shown glimpses of brilliance and a potentially bright future in his starts. Although he is currently playing for Triple-A Gwinnett, Wisler has the capability to be a key piece for the Braves as they look toward the future.

Rob Whalen, RHP

Whalen was acquired by the Braves at the trade deadline in 2015, when the Braves traded Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe to the New York Mets. Unlike most pitchers capable of starting, Whalen’s best pitch is his curveball. A majority of starting pitchers do have great offspeed stuff, but rely on their fastball to get ahead in counts. Whalen is a pitcher who throws a lot of strikes and uses his 90-91 mph fastball to induce a plethora of groundouts. He uses his deceptive delivery to keep hitters off balance when throwing one of the four pitches in his arsenal.

This season, Whalen has pitched in Mississippi and Gwinnett, throwing to a combined 7-6 record with a 2.40 ERA in twenty-one starts. Whalen was called up and made his Major League debut on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He earned the win by pitching five innings and giving up four runs. His start may be the only appearance of his first stint in the Majors, but fans can anticipate Whalen being an unabating part of the Braves future moving forward.

Touki Toussaint, Closer

In a masterful move by the Braves, Touissant was shipped to their organization in a trade for infielder Philip Gosselin. He was the 16th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft and is currently the Braves number 10 overall prospect. Upon struggling early on after the trade and to begin the 2016 season, Touissant has turned it around and improved in all facets of his pitching. His curveball is considered to be one of the best in his draft class and has improved his issues with his fastball. With those two pitches, he has two plus offerings and can add an average changeup to his arsenal.

While playing for Rome this season, Touissant has a win-loss record of 3-8 with a 4.50 ERA. As Touissant is currently in Class A and, at only 20 years old, he won’t be a part of the Braves for a few more seasons. However, when the 2019 season rolls around, expect him to be a part of the bullpen in Atlanta.

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