Entering Spring Training, the Atlanta Braves only have a few questions surrounding the depth of their team, something manager Fredi Gonzalez will surely keep an eye on throughout February and March.
Over the course of the next month, Gonzalez will decide on the club's fifth starter — likely Mike Minor — and also evaluate the team's relievers, as they are looking for someone to occupy the final bullpen spot.
Likely guaranteed a spot in the bullpen are returning relievers Peter Moylan, Eric O'Flaherty, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel, as well as newcomers Scott Linebrink and George Sherrill.
But one spot remains.
Competing for the final position is Scott Proctor, who appears to be fully recovered from his 2009 Tommy John surgery, Cristhian Martinez, who made a few appearances for the Braves last season, Stephen Marek, a hard-throwing reliever sure to make a run in Spring Training, and Cory Gearrin, a side-armer who wowed Braves coaches last spring.
While those aren't the only candidates, these four seem to be the most likely to win the role.
Many have all but given the seventh spot to Proctor, a veteran who has previously played for both the Yankees and Dodgers. But even before his surgery, Proctor's struggles were evident.
In 2008, while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Proctor appeared in 41 games and posted a 6.05 ERA in 38.2 innings pitched. He spent much of the season on the Disabled List before becoming a free agent and leaving at the end of the season.
On Nov. 4, 2009, after undergoing Tommy John surgery six months earlier, Proctor signed with the Braves. His comeback began in 2010, where he pitched for both Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. As of Aug. 14, Proctor had a 7.82 ERA in 31 games pitched between the two teams.
He clearly struggled in the minors in 2010 and should begin there again in 2011 to iron out the kinks that obviously still exist in his game.
Gearrin, on the other hand, is rarely mentioned when the final bullpen spot is talked about.
Gearrin began the 2009 season in High-A Myrtle Beach, where, as the club's closer, he had 17 saves and posted a 1.84 ERA. After being promoted to Double-A Mississippi, he appeared in 20 games and ended the season with two saves and a 2.84 ERA.
At last year's Spring Training, Gearrin caught the eye of Braves players and coaches alike with his side-armed pitching style.
He spent 2010 with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he went 3-5 and posted a 3.36 ERA in 52 relief appearances.
Look for Gearrin's side-armed delivery to be effective in Orlando this month, especially with side-armer Peter Moylan being alongside to help him develop.
Proctor will likely continue to be unimpressive and once he does, look for his confidence to drop. After a poor performance in 2007 while playing for the New York Yankees, Proctor lit his equipment on fire. If his confidence falters and his pitches remain ineffective, Proctor will open the door for Gearrin to make it to the majors.
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