{"id":18860,"date":"2019-04-18T14:05:39","date_gmt":"2019-04-18T18:05:39","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=18860"},"modified":"2019-04-18T14:05:39","modified_gmt":"2019-04-18T18:05:39","slug":"braves-pitching-prospects-tough-decisions-alex-anthopoulos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/04\/18\/braves-pitching-prospects-tough-decisions-alex-anthopoulos\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Braves Abundance of Pitching Prospects Mean Tough Decisions Await Alex Anthopoulos"},"content":{"rendered":"

There has been a lot of talk the last couple of seasons over the deep, prospect-laden farm system of the Atlanta Braves. One year after being rated as the second-best farm system by\u00a0MLB.com<\/a>,\u00a0the Braves again entered 2019 with high accolades for their bevy of young talent. Their third place ranked farm system boasts several players capable of contributing in the big leagues this season. The real strength of the farm system is bolstered by their pitching prospects.<\/p>\n

The Braves find themselves in a unique situation.\u00a0They already have a\u00a0young nucleus<\/a> of talent at the MLB level. Dansby Swanson<\/a> is well on his way to having a breakout season.<\/a> Locking up Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies<\/a> on long, below-market extensions<\/a>,\u00a0gives the team the flexibility to make some bold moves going forward. However, the situation is complicated when you consider the bulk of their top prospects are pitchers at Double-A and Triple-A.<\/p>\n

Overflowing With Pitching Prospects<\/h2>\n

Many expected one or more of the Braves prospects to be traded this off-season. An established top of the rotation pitcher or young outfielder were considered team needs.\u00a0Instead, the team elected to go in house for pitching options. Veteran Nick Markakis<\/a> has also re-signed\u00a0on a team\u00a0friendly deal to man right field again.<\/p>\n

Young pitchers Kyle Wright<\/a>, Bryse Wilson<\/a>, and Touki Toussaint<\/a> already have been shuttled back and forth between Atlanta and the minors this season. Max Fried<\/a> has cemented himself in the\u00a0starting rotation<\/a>\u00a0on the heels of three solid starts. If he can avoid the blister issues that have plagued him in the past, Fried has the makeup to be a top of the rotation starter for years to come.\u00a0Mike Soroka<\/a> has made two appearances in the minors after being shut down in Spring Training with shoulder soreness. He appears to be ready to join the big league rotation when a spot opens up.<\/p>\n

But Wait, There’s More<\/h3>\n

Beyond all those pitchers, the Braves also have Luiz Gohara<\/a>, Kolby Allard<\/a>, Ian Anderson<\/a>, Kyle Muller<\/a>, and Joey Wentz<\/a> knocking on the door within the next two seasons. Some moves\u00a0will have to be made as more guys become major league ready and need defined\u00a0roles. Many of these pitchers will have long, successful major league careers. Some of them will not be with the Braves. The front office will be challenged to identify who to move, who to keep, and when to move those players to get the best value for them.<\/p>\n

The bad news is that there is not a spot for each of these players in the majors.\u00a0On a positive note, the abundance\u00a0of pitching prospects allows the team to “miss” on a few and still have a formidable rotation.<\/p>\n

Short Leash<\/h3>\n

The Braves front office demonstrated the short leash that these prospects are on when they optioned Sean Newcomb<\/a> to Triple-A Gwinnett this weekend. Newcomb is a capable MLB starter but has a tendency to try to be too fine. His \u201cnibbling\u201d often gets himself into trouble with walks. Manager Brian Snitker<\/a> told the\u00a0AJC<\/a>,\u00a0\u201cHe just needs the consistency. I told him last night when I sent him out, it\u2019s up to him. He\u2019s going to have to take stock in this and make it happen consistently. We\u2019ve seen what he can do. It\u2019s just consistency.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The #Braves<\/a> today recalled RHP Touki Toussaint from Triple-A Gwinnett and optioned RHP Kyle Wright to @GoStripers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 13, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n