GDT 8-15: Braves in Cleveland

Hudson2 said:
They definitely need another legit SP or 2. Wentz should be AAA depth not counted on for the rotation next year.
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Obviously I would prefer a better option. But Wentz is not a horrible 5/6 type.

But yes I think the team needs to add to the rotation. Schwelly is still a question mark really. Thinking about a broken bone in the elbow makes you wonder if bone frags could get in the tendons and cause some damage or inflammation. Wouldn’t be completely shocked if he has to get it scoped this winter.
 
I am really encouraged by Waldrep. His splitter was never a problem or bad he just lacked the ability to set it up properly. I still dont want to go into next year planning for him to be in the opening day rotation. He is a guy that struggles with his mechanics early in the season. So I can see him needing a month in AAA as a sort of longer Spring Training to just get back to where he is at now. With Wentz I like what he has done too and thats convinced me he should be the third lefty in our pen going into next year and used as a long reliever unless/until we need him as a SP.

It really feels like we are/will be 1-2 bad breaks away from being a real playoff contender. Just Iglesias not being Dan Kolb the first 2 months would have made a huge difference. Ozuna not having the hip injury would have been huge as well. Schwellenbach not breaking his freaking arm. Not leaving Sale in to pitch the 9th fucking inning to make him happy. Just one of these dont happen and we are right in the race and who knows. Maybe we peak at just the right time.
 
I’m with you all. If Waldrep and Wentz keep it up the last 6 weeks, I’m concerned AA will be satisfied with that and not bring in at least 1 legitimate starter this offseason.

I think Wentz would be pretty good in the pen. I also wish they’d bring Hayden Harris up to see if he’s a viable 2026 pen option.
 
Sean Murphy is 1-31 in August with 12 K with a stellar .199 OPS

Drake Baldwin is 13-41 in August with 6 K but also an .827 OPS
 
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Hudson2 said:
It's crazy how some guys will be blah in the minors and then come up and it just click bc it's usually the other way around but Waldrep has been really impressive. I don't know who gets the credit really but Waldrep said Murphy helped him more than anybody.
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Waldrep has been good since July. I am surprised it's carried over this well
 
WaitingFor2017 said:
I’m with you all. If Waldrep and Wentz keep it up the last 6 weeks, I’m concerned AA will be satisfied with that and not bring in at least 1 legitimate starter this offseason.

I think Wentz would be pretty good in the pen. I also wish they’d bring Hayden Harris up to see if he’s a viable 2026 pen option.
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I am now leaning towards they need to get 1 frontline SP rather than two mid rotation SP. Someone like Framber Valdez who will be 32 to start next year so he wont get a crazy long contract. That should leave plenty of money to help the offense and possibly get a closer.
 
Waldrep hasn’t faced the 27 Yankees but more like the first half Braves instead. So while it is great he is succeeding. We need to temper this until he faces a real test and after the league starts to adjust to what he is throwing now.
 
bravesfanMatt said:
Waldrep hasn’t faced the 27 Yankees but more like the first half Braves instead. So while it is great he is succeeding. We need to temper this until he faces a real test and after the league starts to adjust to what he is throwing now.
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I'll go with this. While I enjoy seeing the improvements Waldrep has made in the last 12 months, he has faced the Reds, Marlins, and Guardians. The Reds are good offensively, the Marlins are okay, but the Guardians are terrible.

Waldrep's next two starts are the White Sox and then the Marlins again. It looks like, if things go as planned, he'll get Sunday Night Baseball in Philadelphia, so we may see then.
 
I think waldrep's only hold up will be walks. Here's where each team he's faced rates in bb%...
Reds #11 (2 bb in 5.2 ip)
Indians #16 (2 bb in 6.0 ip)
Marlins #22 (1 bb in 6.0 ip)

If his 2.55 bb9 is for real with new delivery, he's for real. His FIP (2.04), xFIP (3.40), and xERA (2.89) all back up he's for real so far.
 
msstate7 said:
Counterpoint... Murphy has caught all 3 Waldrep starts, and Waldrep has been excellent.
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Makes sense. Waldrep credits Murphy wit the development of his sinker from a rehab stint that Murphy had in gwinnet earlier in the year.

I get that he only had 7 innings in Atlanta last year but he was a 3 pitch guy and used his 4 seamer the most. His 4 seamer is bad. Instead of the 4 seamer he's been using a sinker and cutter.

According to stuff+ the cutter seems to be bad too but the sinker rates as average. With the slider being above average and the splitter really good.

With that mix it's really about command and mixing things up.

If Murph really did help unlock Waldrep that's worth keeping around.
 
thewupk said:
Makes sense. Waldrep credits Murphy wit the development of his sinker from a rehab stint that Murphy had in gwinnet earlier in the year.

I get that he only had 7 innings in Atlanta last year but he was a 3 pitch guy and used his 4 seamer the most. His 4 seamer is bad. Instead of the 4 seamer he's been using a sinker and cutter.

According to stuff+ the cutter seems to be bad too but the sinker rates as average. With the slider being above average and the splitter really good.

With that mix it's really about command and mixing things up.

If Murph really did help unlock Waldrep that's worth keeping around.
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Murphy, Richie, and Fuentes all will be knocking on the door next season. Sean murphy could be huge in their development. I would look to address SS some other way than Murphy
 
bravesfanMatt said:
Jsus. What the heck is going on here. Why now does this team want to play like one of the best in the league.

Haven’t really got to see any of Waldrep’s games yet but man he seems legit.

Did the Braves just find two starters for next year on the cheap in Wentz and Waldrep. Wentz is a very suitable #5. Especially if he can continue to work on the cutter. Waldrep, I got nothing on. But he is in play for sure. Will get to see how he does as the league starts to get the book on him.
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This is definitely the logic the team is going to use in the offseason as an excuse not to add to the rotation from the outside - and it's going to bite them in the ass yet again.
 
Hudson2 said:
They definitely need another legit SP or 2. Wentz should be AAA depth not counted on for the rotation next year.
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Wentz deserves a place on the major league club, but I'm fine with him being counted on in the bullpen or as a long-starter. He's been terrific this year, but he shines the first time through the order.
 
I just reviewed my write up from last year on Waldrep’s stuff. I mentioned the low spin on the 4 seamer made it tempting to have him go with a sinker, but wasn’t sure how it would play with the split. Well, it looks like the split plays well off the sinker, especially when he throws the good split and not the bad version.

It might be time to revisit his stuff with all these new pitches.
 
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