The Braves were silent on deadline day despite having several holes in their rotation. It was discouraging, but apparently, the value was not there with so many buyers and so few sellers. However, here is another reason why the Braves weren’t as desperate at the trade deadline as many expected them to be.
As we reported over the weekend, Cole Hamels threw his second bullpen session. Thankfully, he didn’t suffer any setbacks, and he’s scheduled to begin throwing live batting practices. There is no timetable for a return, and I don’t expect it to be for at least a couple of weeks, but there is a chance that he returns for the final stretch of the regular season and the playoffs.
Snitker said Hamels has thrown two bullpens, will next throw couple of live batting practice sessions, and after that they'll evaluate. No timetable yet for return, at least not any they're disclosing..
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 31, 2020
Hamels isn’t the only internal option the Braves are hoping can make a come back either. Since being DFA’d after just one start, Mike Foltynewicz has been gaining weight in hopes of increasing his velocity and making a return to the rotation. Last we heard, he was up ten pounds, and it looks like it is having a positive effect on his fastball.
Anthopoulos said yesterday that his velocity is back up to 94, which is where it sat for most of last season, up from the high-80s earlier this season.
Anthopoulos said Folty's weight is up and he threw plenty of 94-mph fastballs last time out at Gwinnett, up from his 88-89 before he got DFA'd. Also said Bryse Wilson and Kyle Wright both throwing ball better down there, made adjustments.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 31, 2020
If that’s the case, expect to see Foltynewicz back in Atlanta for a start sometime soon. I’ll temper my expectations until I see it, but to this point, Folty’s career has been such a roller coaster ride; I wouldn’t be shocked if he contributed down the stretch.
In the tweet above, you’ll also notice that Anthopoulos said that Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson have looked better at the alternate site as well. I’m not convinced Wilson is going to make an impact this season. His secondary stuff just didn’t look like it improved enough over the offseason to be a major league pitcher. However, I’m still an avid supporter of Kyle Wright.
Wright’s experienced his bumps early this season, but the Braves didn’t give him many opportunities to sort things out. It’s overwhelmingly apparent the former fifth overall pick has the stuff; it’s all about trusting it and throwing strikes. If Wright’s made improvements in that area while in Gwinnett, he definitely deserves a longer look. He has the upside to be an impact player as the Braves attempt to win their third straight division title.
Anthopoulos could also turn to another one of his highly-touted prospects. We saw first-hand the boost Ian Anderson was able to provide. Perhaps Tucker Davidson, Patrick Weigel, or Kyle Muller could do the same.
As far as the Braves’ rotation goes, they are in the furthest thing from an enviable position. However, their offense is one of the best in the National League, and their bullpen has been rock solid. If Ian Anderson can continue to contribute and a couple of these other arms can shake off the rust, things might not look as bleak come October. That’s undoubtedly one of the primary reasons why the Braves didn’t act like a desperate team at the trade deadline.
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