Welcome to Braves Today with Lindsay Crosby for January 2nd! In this episode, we delve into what each pitcher on the Atlanta Braves’ 40-man roster needs to work on to improve in 2025. Starting with Ian Anderson and going through the entire roster alphabetically, we’ll discuss key areas of improvement for each player, including control issues, high leverage trust, fastball command, and more. Whether it’s Ian Anderson’s comeback from Tommy John surgery, Reynaldo López hopefully taking Charlie Morton’s workload, or the potential of young talents like Spencer Strider post-surgery, we cover it all. Tune in for in-depth analysis and predictions for the upcoming season!
00:53 Pitchers’ New Year Resolutions
01:29 Ian Anderson’s Comeback
03:35 Aaron Bummer’s High Leverage Potential
05:07 Davis Daniel’s Major League Reestablishment
06:09 Dylan Dodd’s Role Uncertainty
07:27 Bryce Elder’s Magic Recapture
08:53 Conor Gillispie’s Vertical Pitch Addition
10:33 Domingo Gonzalez and Daysbel Hernandez’s Walk Issues
12:10 Grant Holmes’ Starter Potential
13:58 Raisel Iglesias’ Dominance and Strikeout Rate
14:52 Joe Jimenez’s Return Goal
15:59 Pierce Johnson’s Consistency
17:26 Dylan Lee’s High Leverage Trust
18:48 Reynaldo Lopez’s Innings Increase
20:16 Rolddy Munoz’s Major League Aspiration
22:07 Anderson Pilar’s Depth Role
22:28 Chris Sale’s Sequel
23:19 Spencer Schwellenbach’s Workload Increase
24:29 AJ Smith-Shawver’s Rotation Establishment
26:03 Spencer Strider’s Ace Return
27:21 Hurston Waldrep’s Fastball Command
28:15 Alan Winans’ Improvement or Trade
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1 Comment
Or pitchers with higher walk rates like Daysbel Hernandez and Domingo Gonzalez just need to be more Josh Hader-ish. Hader despite his 10.0% walk rate for his career, has a 0.95 WHIP due to his .157 batting average against as he constantly doesn't give up hits, and giving up walks over hits is more productive. Hader has had a walk rate as high as 13.0% over a season, while still maintaining a 1.10 WHIP, while still being very productive, as the average relief WHIP for relievers is 1.27, so at 1.10, it was still good. So it just comes down being able to produced lower WHIP's and higher strikeout rates to be effective in higher leverage situations.