Atlanta Braves nurture young pitchers as they show patience despite poor performances - MLB Update
Jair Jurrjens was demoted to the Minors after he struggled in the season. Whereas Randall Delgado is being retained despite the fact he is giving up runs and being taken on by hitters cheaply. Similar is the case with Mike Minor, who is allowing massive
homers and causing defeats and yet no decision is forthcoming on his fate in the season.
Underlying reason is a strategy the manager Fredi Gonzalez has set for young pitchers. By giving them full exposure of the Majors, long-term benefits are being fancied.
Just the way Brandon Beachy went through various stages and kept in rotation despite all the ups and downs, the manager is looking to give them a platform from where they can polish their skills.
Instead of sending them to Minors where simulation of the Majors is impossible, by putting them in front of a massive crowd, they can fine-tune their skills in a better way, the manager believes.
The way they can learn the art of exploiting strike-zone at big stage and in front of quality batters, Minors can never be a substitute, the manager elaborated
“Bottom line is, there’s not a simulator out there. You can’t do it in the minor leagues because there’s not a third [seating] deck in the minor leagues, there’s not 40,000 [in the crowd], the lineups are a different. It’s a matter of just going out there
and feeling comfortable, minimizing the damage, [realizing] you can make a pitch and give up one or two [in an inning], but not give up four or five. I think that’s just part of maturity,” Gonzalez explained.
Irrespective of long-term plans by the manager, the Braves seriously need someone who can throw seven to eight innings consistently. Their bullpen is one of the strongest in National League, but the fact relievers are going to receive little support from
starters, their strength cannot benefit the Braves at its fullest.
While giving chances to young pitchers is great, the manager will be making sure they are learning from their mistakes and improving after every game. For if they fail to make the most of their experiences at big stage, the Braves as a club will be at serious
disadvantage.
The manager will be looking forward to witness young pitchers becoming their saviour late in the season and paying immediate dividends of the investment being made on them.
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