Finally, the disaster in the five hole is over.
But, to my dismay, this problem has moved to the bullpen.
My utter joy for a rookie finally getting his shot, however, outweighs a future ineffective reliever (at least until Reyes blows a game up).
Anyway, the surprise to some fans may be the fact that a certain 22-year-old phenom isn't getting the call.
Instead, it is a 23-year-old reliever-turned-starter phenom named Kris Medlen.
Many may remember his great spring, but his season down at Gwinnett has been even better.
Medlen is 5-0 in six starts with a 0.97 ERA and 44 Ks in 37.1 innings pitched.
A 0.78 WHIP and 10 BBs aren't too shabby either.
I'm excited to see this guy, although Hanson would've been the sexier pick for this, more than likely, spot-start.
With Glavine expecting a return by the end of this month, Medlen may get only two starts.
If this is the case, I would like to see the following ensue: Jo-Jo gets optioned to AAA and Medlen, who was a very good reliever down on the farm (12 Ks in 105 IP in two years as a reliever) get moved into a MRP role.
The 5'10" righty's career holds a bright future down either path the Braves' organization chooses to send him.
As a reliever, he could become a dominate set-up man.
As a starter, he could become a power arm in the three or four hole in the rotation (ala John Smoltz with Glavine and Maddux).
With the display of dominance against AAA talent, 2009, whether it be two starts or 40 relief appearances (depending on the Glavine/Hanson situation), should be great for Medlen...or at the very least better than Jo-Jo Reyes' season so far.
Oh, and an afterthought; can you imagine the rotation in about five years?
Hanson, Tehran, Medlen, Delgado, Redmond.
Power arms galore, provided they live up to the hype they've all generated (that's a big "provided," but still...).
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