Numerous Spencer Strider alternatives flopping early

At this moment, all Braves supporters can do is sit and hope that Spencer Strider’s second opinion yielded some favorable results.

We should know in a matter of days, but Strider will be out for quite some time, so one of the younger arms will have to step up.

Nobody is going to dethrone the clear preseason favorite for the National League Cy Young Award. Few people in the game could do that, but we discussed the Braves’ starting pitching staff’s great depth throughout the summer. Their entire AAA rotation has major league experience, but the early season results don’t reflect that.

Braves fans got their first taste of a prospective Spencer Strider replacement on Thursday afternoon when Allan Winans toed the rubber against the Mets, and it went about as poorly as it could. The 28-year-old allowed six earned runs in five innings, and New York defeated Atlanta 16-4.

However, Winans was not necessarily the next in line for the job. It just so that he was completely rested and prepared for the chance. He has already been optioned back to Gwinnett, and he will be replaced next week.

But who?

Huascar Ynoa made a decent maiden start after returning from Tommy John surgery a year and a half ago, pitching four scoreless innings. However, he failed to make it out of the second inning, allowing six earned runs. Worryingly, his fastball velocity ranges between 90 and 92. Prior to the accident, it ranged from 96 to 99. He’s not even close to being prepared to contribute.

AJ Smith-Shawver was as poor in his debut start with the Stripers, allowing six runs in three innings. I’m less concerned about him than Ynoa, but the Braves are still attempting to increase his pitch count so he can be stronger at the conclusion of the season. I’d be surprised to see him in the majors soon.

Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta’s second top prospect who impressed during Spring Training, was also hammered in his first AA start. He couldn’t make it out of the third inning, giving up seven earned runs. Waldrep, like Smith-Shawver, has a low degree of panic, but it’s also worth noting that he’s only made nine professional starts. Expecting him to contribute in Atlanta anytime soon is optimistic thinking.

There are only three contenders to fill the position right now: Bryce Elder, Darius Vines, and Dylan Dodd. Elder has a wealth of experience and was in the same circumstance last year, beginning the season in AAA before being promptly called up to replace Max Fried in the rotation. He went on to make the National League All-Star Team.

Elder has a 2.61 ERA after two starts, but he struggled in his last outing, giving up three earned runs on six hits and three walks in four innings. I would consider him the frontrunner to take over, and maybe he can take the job and run with it, but don’t count out Dylan Dodd or Darius Vines.

Vines has shown some high-quality swing-and-miss stuff early in the season, while Dodd unexpectedly cracked Atlanta’s Opening Day rotation last year. While things did not go as planned, a year of experience can make a significant difference. Through two starts, he has only allowed two runs in 11.2 innings, indicating that his stuff is ready for the majors.

The bright side of all of this is that it is April. There is plenty of time, and the Braves have several choices to fill the vacancy. They might even add someone at the trade deadline if things worsen, but the hope is that one of these players can get to Atlanta and seize the opportunity.