Brandon Beachy has reportedly won the fifth spot in the Atlanta Braves rotation for the 2011 season.
Braves general manager Frank Wren made the announcement Thursday.
There has been a lot of talk this preseason about who would fill the missing fifth starter slot. Many people thought Mike Minor was the front runner to be picked.
Beachy has posted a 1.80 ERA in three spring training games. In two starts, he has pitched 10 innings, giving up just five hits and two runs.
Mike Minor, too, has had a great spring. With a 0.90 earned run average, Minor has given up just one run in 10 innings of work.
Why did the Braves choose to take Beachy over Minor? Frank Wren said, "We just feel Brandon gives us a better chance to win right now."
We will see how things play out, as the Braves are set to begin their season in Washington on March 31.
If things go according to the current plan, Beachy will make his first start of the season April 5 in Milwaukee.
The 24-year-old right-hander made three starts late last season, two of which were against the Philadelphia Phillies. In three games, he pitched 15 innings and gave up nine runs (four unearned) and 16 hits.
His best performance was against the Nationals on September 26, when he pitched five innings, allowing only two runs and compiling nine strikeouts.
It's hard to believe Beachy was an undrafted free agent when he signed with Atlanta. He has quickly worked his way to the top since 2008.
What does this mean for the Braves rotation?
At this point, it is nice to see a final rotation has been set. Beachy might not be a sure thing for the entire season—as Mike Minor is right on his heels for the fifth spot—but hopefully, we will see both of these talented prospects in the starting rotation soon.
Minor will be sent to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he will spend at least the beginning of the season working on his changeup and curveball. He throws his fastball and slider well, but if he can master his other two pitches, we might be looking at a new Cy Young winner.
Okay, maybe that is a bit much, but who knows what might happen.
Frank Wren said it was a tough decision to make. Nothing is permanent, though.
Congratulations to Brandon Beachy. We will see if he can really step up and fill the fifth spot this season.
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