With all of the focus on starting pitching through last season’s struggles and this offseason, it’s only fitting that our first section in a series of previews of the 2009 Braves is covering the rotation. Major injuries and inconsistency were the reasons for a decimated rotation last season. Signings and trades for innings-eaters were the focus of the offseason.
Season-ending injuries to John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, and Tom Glavine severely impacted the Braves’ 2008 season. Young pitchers such as Jo-Jo Reyes, Charlie Morton, and Chuck James failed to step in and take advantage of their opportunity. Mike Hampton remained sidelined with various ailments until the season was lost. All of this led to one of the worst seasons for an Atlanta pitching staff in recent memory. But a brand new set of pitchers in 2009 means a fresh start.
Derek Lowe: For 2009, the biggest signing of the offseason for the Braves was the addition of Derek Lowe, who was brought in for four years at $60 million. While many consider the move risky due to his turning 37 this year, he is perhaps one of the safest signings of the winter. His relying on ground ball outs means the possibility of a longer career, which seems to be evident in his numbers so far. Lowe hasn’t recorded an ERA above three since 2004 and has averaged 15 wins the past seven seasons. He also has reached 200 innings in all but two years since becoming a starter in 2002. Lowe will be counted on to lead the rotation and rack up 200 innings.
Kenshin Kawakami: The signing of Kenshin Kawakami, the first Japanese player in Atlanta history, represented a new era in Braves baseball. Kawakami dominated Japanese leagues with his wide variety of pitches, but he relies heavily on a long, sweeping breaking ball that baffles hitters. He has 112 career wins and a career ERA of 3.32 in 11 seasons. He was limited to 117 innings in 2008 because of back pains but recorded a 2.30 ERA. The 33-year-old will be expected to be a staple in the middle of the rotation.
Javier Vazquez: Javier Vazquez was the third major addition for the Braves’ rotation, coming to Atlanta in a trade that sent several prospects to Chicago, including Tyler Flowers. Vazquez is known as an innings-eater, recording 200+ innings in all but three seasons during his career. He has reached 200 strikeouts the past two seasons as well. Vazquez will be counted on to provide what the Braves sorely lacked last season, a true innings-eater that records strikeouts. As is the case with Kawakami, he will counted on to provide solid numbers from the middle of the rotation.
Jair Jurrjens: The trade of Edgar Renteria to the Tigers that brought a highly-touted pitching prospect to Atlanta proved to be a huge move for Frank Wren, as Jair Jurrjens emerged as one of the young stars in the league last season. He was the lone bright spot in the 2008 rotation, leading the team in every pitching category, including ERA (3.68) once Hudson went down with an injury. Jurrjens has since taken a back seat with the offseason signings, but is expected to remain an anchor in the rotation for years to come.
Tom Glavine: The re-signing of Glavine to a one-year deal most likely means one more season in the Atlanta rotation for the 43-year-old. The lone lefty, recovering from shoulder surgery, is said to have had a successful rehab and is ready for camp. The Braves are hoping the 5.54 ERA in 13 starts last season is due to the shoulder troubles, which could be believable since he had a very solid April before declining.
Jorge Campillo: Perhaps the surprise of last season for the Braves, Jorge Campillo baffled hitters with his off-speed stuff for the first half of 2008. However, the lack of experience as a starter caught up with him in the second half as his numbers declined and his number of innings per start went down. Campillo has been relegated to the duty of long relief but will more than likely find a start or two throughout the season, especially if Glavine’s health doesn’t hold up.
Tommy Hanson: Considered by many as the future ace of the team, Tommy Hanson is getting plenty of looks and attention this Spring and will be followed all season in his most likely destination: Triple-A. He breezed through seven starts at Myrtle Beach before dominating the Southern League with a 3.03 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 14 starts in 2008. Hanson should see time in Atlanta in 2009 but will not be expected to have a role until possibly the next year.
Topics: derek lowe, jair jurrjens, javier vazquez, jorge campillo, kenshin kawakami, tom glavine, tommy hanson
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I see Hanson getting called up in late June or early July to rejuvenate the pitching staff, that is if there are no major injuries in the first month or two. His stuff has been spectacular this far in the spring, but it’s unlikely that he’ll make the club on Opening Day. The Braves want him to garner more starting experience and AAA is a great place for him to do that.