David O’Brien of The Athletic (subscription link) spoke to Félix Hernández, who appears poised to crack Atlanta’s rotation to start the year. With his 34th birthday coming up on April 8th, the Braves righty is aware that success on the hill will look much different than it did as a youngster. “Command all the corners. Command of my fastball and a good breaking ball, and with my changeup, I think I’m going to be fine,” said Hernandez, who acknowledges he has lost velocity from his younger days. The key now, according to Hernandez, is to “control all my pitches, mix my changeup, breaking ball, sliders and my two-seamer, I’ll be fine.”
Hernández is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Aníbal Sánchez, who signed a minor-league pact with Atlanta ahead of his age-34 season. Sanchez didn’t make the Opening Day squad that year (2018). However, he did have his contract selected a few days later and wind up throwing 136 2/3 innings of 2.83 ERA ball for the Braves, before going on to sign a two-year, $19MM contract with the Nationals and helping them win the 2019 World Series. Hernández has a 1.98 ERA through 13 2/3 innings this spring, which the Braves hope is the beginning of a similar renaissance. King Felix is coming off a great overall run in Seattle, but his ERA climbed for five consecutive seasons, finally landing at 6.40 in 2019.
With just over two weeks until Opening Day, more roster decisions are just over the horizon. Here are some noteworthy details…
- Mark Bowman of MLB.com spoke to Tyler Matzek, who is attempting a comeback after some time in the proverbial wilderness. The 29-year-old lefty is a former first-round pick of the Rockies, having been selected 11th overall in 2009. After climbing the ranks and making his MLB debut in 2014, things went downhill for him because of what Bowman calls “the yips.” (For those unfamiliar, “the yips” is a slang term for a pitcher’s sudden inability to throw strikes, usually chalked up to psychological causes.) Speaking about his struggles, Matzek said, “When you’re throwing it behind hitters and have no idea where the ball is going as a lefty, that’s usually a pretty good indicator something is wrong.” Matzek, who spent parts of the past two seasons pitching for the unaffiliated Texas AirHogs, is in Braves camp and opening some eyes with his spring appearances, including striking out Red Sox stars Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez. Bowman notes that it’s unlikely Matzek will end up on the Opening Day roster, but he could be a name to watch going forward. On a personal level, though, it seems like it’s already a triumphant comeback tale for Matzek. “The game was taken away from me for a little while,” he said. “I’m just happy to be back and have the chance to compete at any level.”
- The Astros are looking for answers after the recent news that it will “take a miracle“ for Justin Verlander to be ready by Opening Day. One of those answers could come in the form of right-hander Bryan Abreu, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Abreu, who will turn 23 on April 22nd, made his MLB debut in 2019, coming out of the bullpen in seven games and compiling 13 Ks over 8 2/3 innings with an ERA of 1.04. Even with Verlander’s injury, Abreu seems to be a long shot to wind up in the rotation. Pitching coach Brent Strom lists Austin Pruitt, Framber Valdez and Josh James as candidates to fill in behind Zack Greinke, Lance McCullers Jr. and Jose Urquidy, but he also has a fondness for Abreu. Strom indicated that he expects Abreu to be “a big-time starter at the big league level for a number of years,” though he also acknowledges the hurler could be present on Opening Day as a member of the bullpen.
- Chris McCosky of The Detroit News pegs right-hander Jose Cisnero and left-hander Gregory Soto as potential difference-makers in the Tigers’ bullpen. Manager Ron Gardenhire seems pleased that Cisnero’s fastball reached 97 mph on Tuesday. “That’s the first time we’ve seen him get up to mid-90s,” Gardenhire said. “He’d been 91-92 and we were getting a little concerned.” As for Soto, he hit 100 mph on the gun three times during the same game, impressing pitching coach Rick Anderson. “That was fun to watch,” he said. The Tigers have a lot of uncertainty in their bullpen, even after naming Joe Jimenez the closer Tuesday. Having a couple of fireballing relievers take a step forward would be a welcome addition to a squad that mustered only 47 victories in 2019.
Who gets booted from the rotation 1st? The once King who is now a court jester, or Ryan Weber, who always was a court jester?
As weird as this sounds I think King Felix is going to be the best minor league signing this offseason. When he was an ace before he could simply just over power people as a stuff pitcher but now that he has reached his later years he’s going to be a very command type of pitcher who knows all the little ways to get guys out, which is exactly what it sounds like he knows is happening. I also think a change in pitching coach/approach will help too because it gives him a new voice advising him to do new things that could benefit him in the long run and make him a successful pitcher again.
Not sure why last post comments are closed, but bringing up McKinstry here:
Saw him in ST 2 games couple weeks ago in person. He went yard one game, put together good at bats both games even tho he didn’t enter until the 6th or 7th. To be a 33rd rounder and pushing for a MLB gig in 4 years is mighty impressive from him and another testament to LA’s player development. Wouldn’t be shocked if it means Kike is on the block this July
Things just getting worse and worse for the Trashstros. Same with Boston.
As a Jays fan, I could not be happier. Hoping they can somehow, someway try to steal a wildcard spot. Everything will have to go right, and maybe it’s because it’s Spring, but I can’t wait to get this season started!!
Rooting for King Felix who has looked good thus far this spring. He’s a little short of the HOF right now but I hope his transition into a finesse pitcher can carry him over that threshold. Dude was straight-up nasty during his prime.
Agree 100%. Id love to see Felix have a second act. He came in so young and so good and never had a team around him good enough, he deserves a decent run
The Mariners wasted the best years of his career with horrible offense after horrible offense after horrible offense….
Many right handed pitchers who threw gas had a 2-5 year stretch where they were substandard and then learned how to mix pitches (or the rarer case like Justin Verlander or Roger Clemens who got in “best shape of my life” after a couple garbage seasons and went back to pumping unrefined diesel). It took Felix longer than the usual standard, but I think he has it.
Just as a point of curiosity since he’s in the NL, can he hit enough to have a $50,000 bonus in his contract if he wins a Silver Slugger?
He is not great with the bat, a lifetime .080 hitter. He does have a grand slam to his credit, one of his more memorable moments in Seattle, obviously along with his perfect game.
“We have top pitching prospects who are the future”
A washed-up pitcher is the talk of their spring
I do love Acuna’s lack of production in Spring though. It is only spring though right? Wonder how long the “he will rebound” excuse will last this season.
How’s MadBum looking this spring?
At some point you have to realize your eating piss soaked cereal right?
ROFL@black
Ya, it’s just spring, right NONLCS?
NoBum: Ohh. So that’s why when I speak only soured words trickle out.
Commentors: He finally understands. …Maybe. Give it some time. …No NoBum is going to continue being a sourpuss.
Dude, its okay to criticize your team and not be happy with the moves they have made. There have been several things the braves did that I didn’t agree with. But when you go onto every braves post and just spew the same nonsense every single time it’s just sad. You don’t have to agree with the moves they have made and you have the right to voice your frustration on this site. Just don’t do it on every single post. Most people have came here because they want to have an honest discussion about the game they love with other people who have that same passion.
I’ve come up with a pretty good algorithm in my head that allows me to instantly block out the posts from his 73,214 user name changes.
We found the only person that takes ST stats seriously for more than just urinal talk to break the awkward silence standing next to coworkers.
In September, when the Braves make the playoffs for the 3rd straight year and Ronald is an all star, I hope you feel dumb.
The Braves have a better chance at making the playoffs than Acuna being an All-Star. Regardless, making the playoffs is not an achievement anymore for this team.
The postseason is an achievement for any team, whether that’s the Braves, Yankees, Dodgers, Twins or Astros, etc. ANY team can stumble over the course of a 162 game season.
I think at best, Felix will look kind of like CC Sabathia in his final few seasons. Between 2016 and 2018, Sabathia had a 3.76 ERA, 4.31 FIP, and 1.303 WHIP. Not the numbers he posted in his Cy Young day prime, but ones that represent a solid back-end rotation arm that still has something left in the tank.
If he can keep his weight under control, don’t see why not. Felix seems healthier right now. CC had pretty bad knees by that point.
I think the Braves would take that. My expectations for Felix are pretty low so I would be happy with that as well.
The yips…. those never really go away. Like herpes
I’d rather have the yips.
I hope everyone would rather have the yips…
I mean, if you had Coles contract, you may prefer not to have the yips
Abreu is destined for the bullpen
I hope not, but could see it. He has the pitches to be successful out of the rotation. He needs a season to try and put it all together. A team competing for the WS might not be the best spot for that.
Maybe can help with the buzzers?
[crickets]
I’d like to see Felix and Wright get the last 2 spots in the rotation. Newcomb has looked better this spring but he just has a better mentality out of the bullpen.
Mark my words Felix is fooling everyone with his spring stats. He’s throwing softer then ever and has one faced one line up this spring with regular MLB players and that was the rays with 6 regular starters. Every other spring game he has started has been against horrible prospects from low ranked farms.
I love Felix, but I agree. He’s worn out. He might have some success against a new league at first but he will be shelled and DFA by June sorry to say.