This past season, pitching had its usual ups and downs, but this year, with a 0-7 start for the Atlanta Braves, the pitching rotation was the one upside that was present during a slow period for the offense
— until the majority of the starting pitchers went down with injuries.
No need to completely rehash and relive the tragedy of watching the season fall through their fingertips as the offense was seemingly finding its spark, with their strong starters dropping like flies.
It started right before the All-Star break when ace pitcher Chris Sale was transferred from the 15-day IL list to the 60-day list due to a fractured rib cage. This was also around the same week that Spencer Schwellenbach also landed on the IL because of a fractured right elbow. Not to mention Grant Holmes’ exit due to an elbow injury, which he opted to forego surgery and opt for rehab instead.
Those were the top three starters of the season who showed steady performances on the mound and gained the trust and high expectations for fans to look forward to. Prior to Sale’s news, at the beginning of June, AJ Smith-Shawver was placed on the IL and missed the remainder of the season as well.
Bryce Elder had to step up, and surely, yet inconcistently improved during the remainder of the season. Spencer Strider returned, but also had a wave of inconsistent starts that set him back from becoming the full-fledged Strider Braves fans were hoping would return.
But, we’re not going to relive it…
After playing musical chairs with a rotation of pitchers and cycling out previous ones to fill the roster, they found a gem in Hurston Waldrep from their farm system, who has consistently proven himself worthy of a spot officially on the team for next season.
Let’s see how this could play out in the Braves’ favor next season.
According to the Marietta Daily Journal, and many other sources like the Athletic, MLB.com, etc… Braves manager Alex Anthopoulos announced how the Braves’ rotation, especially the bullpen, was a top priority during the winter season.
Starting with Reynaldo López, who’s only had one appearance ( 5 IP/ 9 H/ 3 ER/ 2 BB/ 1 K) this year due to undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
2024, ending the season with a 1.99 ERA, brought high hopes for the 2025 season before the news of his injury broke earlier this year. Let’s look at his 2024 profile.
Entering 2026 with his arsenal from ‘24, would be a solid asset for the Braves’ rotation. It’s what was needed this year, and from many fans yelling about the lack of bullpen depth going into this past season, and it came to bite the team in the rear at the midway point.
Lopez expressed his desire to become a starter prior to the ‘25 season. Will this be what the team needs in their starter role?
Is it fair to say that former Cy Young award winner Chris Sale (2.58 ERA) is the new official ace of the team?
I would say so.
The sigh of relief when Sale returned from the IL was apparent from the fanbase. His command he brings with him to the mound, along with his deep dedication to improve during unfavorable outings, is what the team needs to lead them on the defensive side.
As is the case with all of the starters mentioned, the number one thing to hope for is the health of them all, however, it’s not realistic to expect a 100% healthy rotation throughout the whole year…that’s where a solid bullpen would come in.
Grant Holmes achieved a remarkable stint (3.99 ERA) pitching as a primary starter for his first year, after gaining his first start the year prior against the Brewers. A (magic word) healthy 2026 season is what the Braves are looking forward to after a strong first full season. However, it is crucial to keep Holmes steady in his starting position for the next year.
Spencer Schwellenbach (3.09 ERA) was another heavy hitter (or thrower in this case), who gained the admiration from Braves Country. His last three games went deep into seven innings, with his last resulting in a 12 strikeout win against the Phillies back in June.
His complete game against the Brewers was also a sight to see earlier in the month, with nine strikeouts and 105 total pitches.
Those are just snippets of this year’s performance to showcase Schwellenbach’s talent and what he’s expected to bring and exceed going into next year.
The other Braves’ slider master, Spencer Strider (4.45 ERA), is looking to reinvent his form and correct the necessary changes in what was holding him back from returning to full form going into the next season.
It’s not expected for him to be 100% where he was pre-injury, but the hope is still lingering over Braves fans that with his last few performances before the postseason, he might have glimpses of a stronger return with something to work for in a revamped season.
Bryce Elder (5.30 ERA), as mentioned before, had many inconsistencies that left a distrust in his capabilities throughout the season. But, when he was hot…he was a force to be reckoned with when it was needed. It’s fair to say that Elder is a solid arm in the bullpen, but his consistency makes it hard to know which version of him you’d get when he steps out on the mound.
AJ Smith Shawver (3.86 ERA), experienced a lot of doubt from the fanbase earlier in the season but showed highlights of constant improvement and clutch performances when it counted, his last one being against the Washington Nationals (6 IP/2 H/ 0ER/ 2 BB/ 6 K) midway in May, shortly before his injury against the Phillies.
Smith-Shawver was another inconsistent arm that wasn’t as reliable throughout the season. However, like Elder, when something clicked and he decided to perform to his abilities, he looked dominant and gained the trust of the team’s offense to lead them through the game…even when he didn’t get the run support he needed.
Lastly, we mentioned rookie Hurston Waldrep (2.88 ERA). The 23-year-old who astonished Braves country with a stellar first full month as a major leaguer in August, with a 1.01 ERA to cap it off.
It’ll most likely be a minute before gaining that starter position, especially with Lopez vying for a spot, but a permanent home in the bullpen for 2026 would do Waldrep a solid in getting the constant exposure he needs for everyday major league game situations and a deeper connection with the team to gel together for a new outlook.
Now comes the remainder of the bullpen that needs to be enhanced immediately during the offseason to prepare for any scenario going into the new year. March will be around the corner before we know it, and the lack of bullpen depth cannot be the start of another conversation surrounding the Braves once more after the season they’ve experienced.
The changes start now. We’ll talk more about it and deeper into the additions as updates arrive.
