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Braves’ 2009 Starting Rotation Preview
Written by Kent on February 26, 2009 – 6:00 amComing off of a forgetable 2008 season, the starting rotation for the Braves has been completely retooled and is ready for action in 2009. While injuries and lack of depth prevented the rotation from doing much of anything last year, the new signings of Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami give a new look and new hopes for 2009.
Derek Lowe: The sinker-ball specialist has averaged 15 wins over his last 7 seasons, and boasts a 3.58 ERA over the past 4 years since moving to the National League. He steps up in big games and has a track record of post-season success. He is also quite durable and can be counted on for 200 innings as the ace of this rotation.
Jair Jurrjens: The rookie right-hander was the lone ray of light in the Braves rotation last year, recording 13 wins and a 3.68 ERA in 188 innings. And it wasn’t fool’s gold. Jurrjens is armed with 4 quality pitches, including a fastball he can run up into the mid-90’s, and an outstanding changeup. Teammates rave about his maturity and “pitch to contact”, ground-ball approach to pitching. Jurrjens also has excellent command. Baseball America named him the best control pitcher in the Detroit Tigers’ organization a couple of years ago. Many in baseball believe that Jurrjens is a young ace in the making, and it appears he may have the tools to prove them right.
Javier Vazquez: In 2007, Vazquez went 15-8 for the White Sox, with a 3.74 ERA and 213 strikeouts over 216 innings. These numbers were reminiscent of the success he enjoyed in Montreal before his move to the AL in 2004. Last year, though he again logged 200 innings and struck out 200 batters, his ERA spiked to 4.68. Vazquez should benefit from escaping the hitter’s paradise of U.S. Cellular Field (and the DH) in favor of a more pitcher-friendly, Turner Field. It has also been suggested that Vazquez may find a greater level of comfort in the NL, under the leadership of Bobby Cox. For these reasons, multiple scouts have stated a belief that Vazquez is poised for a big year in Atlanta.
Kenshin Kawakami: Winner of the Cy Young equivalent, Sawamura Award, Kawakami is a well established star in Japan. He has a career record of 112-72 through 11 seasons, with a 3.32 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, and a ratio of 1328 Ks to 351 BBs in 1642.3 IP. His best pitches are a cut fast ball with low 90’s velocity and a knee-buckling slow curve. The Braves are confident that Kawakami will make a successful transition to Major League Baseball to help anchor the middle of their rotation.
Tom Glavine: Coming off of an injury-riddled season, at age (soon to be) 43, there are more questions surrounding Glavine than any other Braves starter. But if he is in fact healthy, there is plenty of reason to believe that he could still be effective. Before the arm trouble began very early last season, Glavine looked sharp. And despite an unimpressive ERA in 2007, he was actually quite good. Glavine finished the ‘07 season with 23 quality starts, which is territory usually reserved for aces in that category. It was no accident that he won 13 games that year. If his arm is sound, he could provide the Braves with another quality veteran starter. After all, Jamie Moyer (a soft-tossing lefty cut from the same mold as Glavine) is several years older, and still getting outs.
OUTLOOK: Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this Atlanta rotation is its depth. While it features noone of the stature of a Johan Santana or a Jake Peavy, the Braves rotation is 5-deep; loaded with quality arms. This rotation figures to be durable, and should eat a lot of innings, taking a great deal of pressure off of the bullpen. And if by chance a Braves starter should visit the disabled list this season, Tommy Hanson (perhaps the top pitching prospect in all of baseball) is waiting in the wings. The Braves also have other quality alternatives for the rotation, including Jorge Campillo, Charlie Morton and Jo-Jo Reyes.
With plenty of talent and depth, this rotation is a safe bet to be among the league’s best. What are you expecting out of the staff this season? Who will surprise and who won’t live up to expectations?
Tags: 2009 Rotation Preview, Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, Javier Vazquez, Kenshin Kawakami, Pitching, Rotation, Starting Pitching, Starting Rotation, Tom Glavine
Posted in General | 4 Comments »
By Jonathan on Feb 27, 2009 | Reply
I'm excited about the rotation this year should everyone manage to stay healthy. I'm not completely thrilled about having Tommy back until he proves that he's not going to just fall apart 3 months into the season. We'll see how that all pans out however. It can't be worse than last season, right?
By Andrew on Feb 27, 2009 | Reply
I think Vazquez will surprise a lot of people. Glavine will probably just keep the other Tommy's place warm while he toils in AAA for a month or two.
By Kent Covington on Feb 27, 2009 | Reply
Could be. But if Glavine stays healthy and pitches anything like he did in '07, which is a distinct possibility… I think he'll be a fixture in the rotation.
If Hanson joins the rotation this year, I believe it will most likely be the result of an injury. But there is another possibility… If the circumstances are right, the Braves might deal Vazquez at the trade deadline, clearing space for Hanson.
If the following four things are a reality at the all-star break… I could see the Braves dealing Vazquez before the deadline:
- Hanson is tearing up AAA
- Glavine is healthy and pitching well
- Kawkami is pitching well
- Hudson's rehab is on or ahead of schedule
If those four things are in place, the Braves could deal a starter mid-way through the season, allowing Hanson to join the rotation in July. If Hudson's on track, then he should be able to return in late August or early September, providing an insurance policy on Hanson (or any other starter).
Anyway, again, if Hanson joins the rotation, I think it will be the result of an injury or a trade. Wouldn't mind seeing that happen.
By Jerry on Mar 2, 2009 | Reply
Kent,
Its a no brainer that Hansen will be up if someone is hurt or traded. Duh!
Our bullpen has always been our weakness. always.
That is the key to our season.
Vasquez will not be traded as no starter will be traded.
I can smell a trade but not any of our pitchers. Maybe during the offseason but not before.
What you need to look for is a trade right here within the next month. Josh Anderson is out of options and you can look for maybe him being traded. In my opinion I believe you are going to see Frenchy traded. KC would take him in a heartbeat as would the Nats. If Frenchy has a monster spring training of course the Braves will keep him. If not its bye bye Frenchy.
I can see our outfielders as being: Anderson, Anderson, Schafer, Diaz and whomever we trade Frenchy and Blanco for.
It will happen just wait and see.