May 3, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Matt Wisler (37) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field. Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are now fully committed to their young group of starting pitchers.
As the team prepares to start a 10-game road trip in Kansas City on Friday, they Braves do it with the youngest starting rotation in the major leagues.
The Atlanta rotation includes Julio Teheran (25), Matt Wisler (24), Aaron Blair (23), Mike Foltynewicz (25) and Williams Perez (24). Perez turns 25 on May 21 and Blair turns 24 on May 26. The average age of the rotation is 24.2 years.
Over the last 10 games started by that quintet, they have compiled a 2.35 ERA (16 earned runs in 61 1/3 innings).
Coming out of spring training, management wanted some veterans in the rotation. The Braves started with veterans Bud Norris and Jhoulys Chacin, but Norris has been moved to the bullpen and Chacin was traded to the Angels on Wednesday.
That leaves Teheran, who makes his first-ever start against the Royals, as the old man of the group. He has made 110 career starts, more than the rest of the rotation combined.
Wisler made 19 starts in 2015 after coming over in a trade from the Padres. Wisler has proven to be a quick study and helped himself by improving his curveball by working with Atlanta Hall of Famer Tom Glavine.
Foltynewicz made 15 starts in 2015 after coming over in a trade with the Astros. He has the highest velocity on the rotation and has worked hard on his control. Foltynewicz was slow out of the gate because of off-season surgery that required the removal of a rib. He has made two starts this season and allowed two runs in seven innings with eight strikeouts.
Blair was considered to be nearly major-league ready when he was acquired in a trade with the Diamondbacks. He began the season with Triple-A Gwinnett, but was recalled after starting the season 3-0, which included seven innings of no-hit ball. Blair had the worst start of his season on Thursday when he allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Perez was in the rotation to start the season but was sent down after three ineffective starts, when he couldn’t get deep in the game and was taxing the bullpen. But Wednesday night Perez allowed one run on two hits in eight innings and ensured himself another turn.
