Brandon Beachy shows potential for filling Atlanta Braves’ ace spot – MLB Feature
Former undrafted free agent rises in stature gradually. Left unattended in 2008 Major League draft, he was finally inducted by the Atlanta Braves, not because they envisioned something special in him, but the fact he had no price.
Though potential for baseball was there, Beachy was oblivious to where his talent lay. Testing his luck at first and third base at Indiana Wesleyan University and then start pitching as reliever later in the career reflect confusion he suffered in the beginning.
His story resembles a kid who wanders to different places; finally finds work in a factory and earns some money. Being looked down upon at the start, he creeps in the system, comprehends it to perfection and becomes the owner eventually. Those who used to
mock him did not progress in life even an inch while he worked hard and left the detractors wondering about his miraculous turn-around.
It takes fire to shape up an iron as per liking. Similarly, it takes an exhaustion of experience in the baseball before one can claim the crown of an ace. While exceptions apart, Beachy is one of those pitchers who have tasted a test of time for reaching
where he is right now.
From the days of making manager discouraged on the sight of being an only remaining option in bullpen to the days of becoming first hand choice for starting in the Majors, Beachy has gone through all the twists and turns.
Continuous improvements meanwhile have taken him to such a level that he is throwing shut-out games. He is becoming a star pitcher for the Atlanta Braves at a time when rest of their hurlers has betrayed largely.
Hardly the Braves had imagined the pitcher they are pinning so little hopes in will be among the best pitchers in the season in terms of ERA. With .89 WHIP and 5-1 win-loss record, he has overshadowed presence of Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson in the roster
for a moment.
Nature is a great equaliser. Realising that Hudson is on the decline; an angel descended from the sky, held Beachy tight and infused all the skills of an ace in him. No wonder Beachy maintains 1.33 ERA, far better than his career ERA of 3.03.
His sliders are working fine and fastballs are hitting the right spot in the strike-zone. He has learned the art of blocking hits even with speeds less than 90 mph. Above all he has attained mastery at outwitting hitters. Knowing that batters are bracing
for a fastball up in the zone, sliders through which he hoodwinks them either result in a foul strike or ends up in a miscued hit.
Unlike the power that Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg can generate, he belongs to different pedigree of pitchers. Not striking-out as many though, the fact he ensures the bullpen a situation where they can wrap up and script an easy save makes him an
unconventional ace. The Braves can expect him to throw as many pitches as they want at the same spot without little deviation.
Over the years, his control has reached an incredible level. For the same reason, batters more often prefer swinging than hoping for throws to fall beyond the spectrum of strike zone.
Inter-league games have begun and role of designated hitters is going to come into play.
By proving his credentials against American League hitters, he can help the Braves keep their first position on National League East Division table intact. Performance in upcoming games in the season will be crucial for him to be qualified as long-term ace
with the Braves.
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