Starting Rotation

I thought we would break down the starting rotation, relievers, infielders, outfielders and bench players. So we will start with our Starting Rotation.

In the 1st week, we have gotten seen our 1st 4 starters including Derek Lowe twice. I have been impressed with them.

Let's start with Derek Lowe. He is a guy, who wasn't even on our radar during the off season until we lost out on Jake Peavy and AJ Burnett then we didn't resign John Smoltz. Yes, we signed Derek to 4 yr deal @ $15M a yr. All Derek has done is pitched 11 innings and given up 1 run and struck out 11. Here is a guy who actually wanted to come to Atlanta and is anchoring our staff. Lowe has never been on the DL in his career. He pitches over 200 innings so we know he can pitch deep into games.

Then we have Jair Jurrjens. What can we say about this young kid? We got him in a trade from Detroit, which was consider, imo, highway robbery. He was projected to be a #5 starter for us last season. All Jair did was pitch 188 plus innings and turned out to the "ace" of the staff due to injuries to the other starters including Hudson. He came in 3rd in the Rookie of the Year voting. With the acquistitions of Lowe, Vazquez and Kawakami, Jair won't have to be the Ace, he can just settle in and be our #3 guy. Jair missed one start last season due to spraining an ankle, so we know he is durable.

Javier Vazquez is someone we acquired in a trade from the White Sox. Vazquez has wanted to pitch for the Braves for a while. Here is another guy who has never been on the DL, pitches 200 plus innings a yr and strikes out over 200. Granted his ERA is over 4.00 but with a change of scenery and manager, might help him. Vazquez pitched in the WBC for Puerto Rico and he looked good. Knowing what Vazquez brings to the table, the Braves can expect him to go deep into game.

Kenshin Kawakami, also known as Double K in my book. He is the 1st Japanese player to play for the Braves. Just from the video I have seen of him pitch, he has some movement of his pitches. I will have to wait til I have seen him pitch a few times to make a better judgment.

Then we have Tommy Glavine. He is returning from arm surgery. As we all know about Glavine, he doesn't have velocity on his pitches but he has movement on his pitches. I don't think that will change. Tommy isn't schedule to take the mound until April 19th. This will be the 1st time the Braves will need the 5th starter, which will be the 1st time Tommy will make a start. This has given Glavine more time to rehab his arm. That might be more of a blessing then anyone will know.

I am tossing an extra starter in there because sometime this yr, this one is going to be in Atlanta. Tommy Hanson is a stud. He is down at Triple A Gwinnett right now but this kid is nothing but a stud, imo. If we have an injury to any of our starter, he is getting a call up ASAP. He throws 96 to 99 MPH on the gun for his fastball and has great movement on his other pitches. He is mature beyond his yrs. The Braves brass knows he is ready to pitch in Atlanta know but they don't want to rush him, which is probably a very good plan. I can't wait to see him in Atlanta.

Then we have Tim Hudson who is recovering from TJ surgery. He is on schedule to return to the Braves in late July or early August. He has an option for 2010, whether the Braves pick it up is up in the air. From what I read on this injury for Huddy, he got hurt in the 2nd inning of the game with the Marlins, pitched til the 5th inning when he felt the tightness and got pulled. It was then discovered he injured the area that requires TJ surgery.

Talk about having a supply of starting pitching that is good or special. The Braves have it and other teams want it, especially Tommy Hanson and Frank Wren is not letting him go as witnessed by telling Kevin Towers Tommy Hanson was not available. Wren also let Hanson know he wasn't going anywhere.

It is going to be an exciting season to watch the 3 new starters Frank Wren went out and signed. Wren said starting pitching was one of the things he was going to improve on and he did so.

I will say, so far so good. Our starters have given a good account of themselves in this 1st week of the season.