With pitchers and catchers set to report in just two weeks, it's time to take a look at the starting rotation in the second installment of the Atlanta Braves 2009 season preview.
Click here for a look at the catcher position for the Braves of 2009!
Click here for a look at the bullpen for the Atlanta Braves in 2009!
Click here for a look at the corner infield positions for the Braves in 2009!
No. 1 Starter: Derek Lowe
Lowe will come in as the Braves new ace in the 2009 rotation. A lot has been said about the Braves overpaying for him. This may be true; however, Lowe brings stability and innings pitched to a rotation that had virtually none a year ago.
Lowe averages 208 innings pitched since becoming a starter in 2002; while giving up only about one home run every two starts.
Experts seem to compare Lowe to Arizona ace Brandon Webb an awful lot, calling him a lesser version of the sinker baller. Last season, Lowe had a 1.13 WHIP, a 3.24 ERA, and a career low in walks with 45; besting Webb in each of those categories with 1.20 WHIP, a 3.30 ERA and 65 walks.
Lowe may not have the potent sinker that Webb has, but he knows how to work with what he has. Lowe should throw over 200 innings with the Braves in 2009 and have 15 to 17 wins.
No. 2 Starter: Jair Jurrjens
Jurrjens was the Braves most consistent starter in 2008. He completed 188 1/3 innings, and didn’t go at least five innings only three times (two of those pitched into the fifth inning).
Jurrjens was making a case for himself for rookie of the year for most of the season. Going into August Jurrjens had a 3.06 ERA and won NL pitcher of the month in June, going 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA. However, as almost every player goes through in his rookie year, the toll of the major league season started catching up to him.
In the final two months of the season Jurrjens had an ERA over 5.00 and pitched into the seventh inning just twice in 10 starts. His velocity stayed where it has been all season, but he started dragging his arm a bit which left his pitches high and decreased the movement.
Now that Jurrjens has gone through a full major league season I foresee him having a stellar year as the Braves No. 2 starter. Look for him to use that excellent change-up a lot more this year, which will improve his prowess. He should pitch over 200 innings and his ERA should be between 3.20 and 3.50.
No. 3 Starter: Javier Vazquez
8 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete