BREAKING NEWS: MLB Insider Lists Two Young Pitchers to Step up in 2024

If none of the young pitchers are traded, the Atlanta Braves will need at least two of them to secure a spot in the starting rotation in 2024.

If none of their young pitchers are traded, the Atlanta Braves will need at least two of them to secure a spot in the starting rotation in 2024.

While the starting rotation for 2024 should be fine (as long as the guys at the top stay healthy), much of the attention this offseason has been on what the rotation will look like after 2024, with the possible loss of Max Fried and Charlie Morton.

As discussed in this article, the Braves may decide to enter the 2024 season in the hopes of finding a few arms who will cement themselves in the rotation in the long run.

Because of the volatility of pitchers, discussing the future of any rotation can be somewhat futile.

We were fantasizing about a future rotation of Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Kyle Wright, Ian Anderson, and possibly Michael Soroka not long ago.

Injuries and regression can drastically alter a starting rotation’s fortunes. Gone are the days when you could rely on three pitchers to anchor your rotation, as the Braves did for many years with Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz.

Nonetheless, with a core of position players in place, the Braves must address the starting rotation’s long-term plans. Even if they decide to sign a free agent or trade for a starter, they’ll still need a few internal arms to solidify their rotation spot.

Candidates Who May Be Considered for Rotation in 2024

Elder, Bryce — As things currently stand, Elder would be the SP2 behind Strider in 2025. Even after an All-Star season, he still has a lot to prove in 2024 to earn a spot even at the bottom of the rotation.

Lopez, Reynaldo —

This is the unpredictability. The Braves appear to want to re-develop him as a starter. If he can take what he’s done as a reliever and translate it into a starting role, even if only for 5-6 innings, that would be huge.

Anderson, Ian Anderson appeared to be a solid middle-to-top-of-the-rotation arm in the Braves rotation for a long time. But, even before requiring Tommy John surgery, his wildness and lack of pitches caught up with him. In 2024, he has a lot to prove. He appears to be either a major contributor to the rotation or someone who is moved in a similar manner to Wright and Soroka this offseason.

Ynoa Huascar — For a time in 2021, it appeared that Ynoa would be an important part of the rotation going forward. But then he hit a brick wall (both literally and metaphorically) and hasn’t been the same since. He’ll be in a similar situation as Ian when 2024 begins, but he should be ready to go right away. If Ynoa cannot make it as a starter, he has the potential to be a solid bullpen arm.
— AJ Smith-Shawver As a 20-year-old, the youngster was thrust into action and held his own for the most part in 2023. There are some obvious command issues that he needs to work on, but he has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation arm in the future. The big question heading into 2024 is how quickly he can overcome his command issues and prove he deserves a spot in the rotation.

Waldrep, Hurston — Waldrep has the same issues as Smith-Shawver, but he isn’t yet on the 40-man roster. He is, however, older and has far more experience as a starter. If given a chance in 2024, he appears to be in a better position to take that rotation spot.

That’s six arms entering 2024 with a chance to secure a spot behind Strider in the Braves’ future starting rotation. If just two of them can put it together in 2024, the starting rotation’s future looks brighter.

Moves would still need to be made next offseason to add another top-of-the-rotation arm, but the rotation’s depth would be significantly improved.

Other Braves pitchers include Darius Vines, Allan Winans, and Dylan Dodd, but those are fillers in the rotation who are unlikely to be glue guys in the future.

The six pitchers mentioned above all have the potential to be solid middle-of-the-rotation arms in a big league rotation for a while, which is exactly what the Braves are looking for.

The key will then be to sustain those arms while also creating an influx of other arms, which they are still attempting to do through the draft.

 

Spencer Schwellenbach, Owen Murphy, Cade Kuehler, Drue Hackenberg, and J.R. Ritchie (once recovered from TJ surgery) comprise the next wave.

Building a rotation core to match the core group of position players must be Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves’ top priority right now. That is why it is critical that a few of these internal options step up in 2024.