Where Does The Washington Nationals’ Rotation Rank In The NL East?

Atlanta Braves

The Braves are another team entering a rebuilding season in 2016, but they have a lot of young arms to choose from. If you look at their projected rotation (according to Roster Resource), four of their five starters are age 25 and younger. Last season, Atlanta was tenth in the NL in starters’ ERA (4.27)

Julio Teheran is at the top of the rotation, but is coming off a down year in 2015. He went 11-8 with a 4.04 ERA in 33 starts and had a FIP of 4.40. But, with a young rotation, Atlanta should hope to get the most innings out of him this year. After Teheran, there are some talented arms to keep an eye on. Matt Wisler, who made his Major League debut last season, went 8-8 with a 4.71 ERA last year, but he had a 5.29 ERA in his final 15 games of the year.

As far as free agency goes, they signed Bud Norris to a one-year deal as Norris tries to bounce back from a bad 2015. He was 3-11 with a 6.72 ERA with the Orioles and Padres last season. They have also added veteran pitchers such Jhoulys Chacin and Kyle Kendrick on minor league deals.

While Atlanta doesn’t have that legitimate ace at the top of their rotation and Shelby Miller is now in Arizona, but they have some young arms in the minors. Some of the names to watch are Mike Foltynewicz, Casey Kelly, Tyrell Jenkins (acquired with Miller from St. Louis in 2014), Aaron Blair (traded to Atlanta in the Miller deal this winter), and Sean Newcomb, who was acquired in the Andrelton Simmons deal (spent the year at double-A last season). Atlanta has the pitching prospect depth, but they are looking to find some frontline starters to build around in the future.

Next: Number Three