The rise of Spencer Schwellenbach lessens the impact of Max Fried’s possible exit.
Due in large part to excellent starting pitching, the Braves defeated the Phillies two out of three games and came within one crucial hit of a sweep despite starting a lineup that included three players who were previously designated for deletion.
The bullpen was almost flawless, but Reynaldo Lopez (5.0 IP, 1 ER), Spencer Schwellenbach (6.2 IP, 2 ER), and Max Fried (7.0 IP, 2 ER) combined for 18.2 innings of 5-run ball. In 8.1 innings, the Braves relief core let up just one run across the course of the three games.
That is going to be this Atlanta club’s secret to success. Without its top hitters, the offense will hardly suddenly improve from its dismal start to the season. The Braves’ outstanding pitching staff—which is perhaps the best 1-4 in baseball—must be relied upon.
Reynaldo Lopez appears refreshed following his time on the injured list, Chris Sale appears ready to win his first Cy Young award, Max Fried would also be a candidate if not for his injury, and Spencer Schwellenbach’s rise could be the season’s biggest story—in fact, it might be the offseason’s biggest story as well.
Max Fried’s free agency will take center stage this winter, but Schwellenbach’s rise has lessened the impact of his possible exit. It is anticipated that Fried will secure a substantial free agency deal, one that many do not think the Braves would match. While fans might have been alarmed by the prospect of a Braves rotation without Fried at this time last season, a lot has happened in the past 12 months.
The previously stated Chris Sale was obtained through a trade, granted a contract extension, and has shown to be well worth the money. Reynaldo Lopez, Alex Anthopoulos’ other offseason addition, has likewise shown he is a more than adequate starting pitcher, and he is currently the Braves’ ace at the top. When you include in Spencer Strider’s comeback and Spencer Schwellenbach’s ongoing development, it almost seems like all the money Max Fried is going to want would be better used somewhere else.
Schwellenbach is coming off a 6.2-inning, two-run ball outing in which he struck out nine batters in order to help the Philadelphia Phillies win the series 3-2.
Schwellenbach is 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA, 15 strikeouts, 10 hits, and just one walk allowed in 12.2 innings in his two starts against Philadelphia. His 82.1 innings pitched, 3.94 ERA, 94 strikeouts, and 15 walks are not very noteworthy. Still, what really excites me are his last eight starts.
He is 4-2 with a 2.84 ERA, 62 strikeouts, and six walks in 50.2 innings over eight starts dating back to his victory over the Phillies on July 6. It’s incredible to be so young and possess such control, allowing one to strike out more than one batter every inning. To put things even more in perspective, Schwellenbach’s performance over the past two months has outperformed that of rookie sensation Paul Skenes.
The fact that this narrative appeared out of nowhere adds to its enjoyment. After Tommy John surgery, Spencer Schwellenbach, a 2021 second-round choice by the Braves out of the University of Nebraska, missed the entire 2022 season. He pitched in 16 games in 2023 at both the A-ball and AAA levels.
After spending the first two months of the season in High-A Rome, this man pitched 13.0 innings in AA Mississippi, bypassed AAA altogether, and is currently pitching like one of the finest pitchers on the globe. Alex Anthopoulos might want to contact Spencer Schwellenbach’s agent this offseason to arrange an early signing of another unique long-term agreement with the 24-year-old right-hander, as Schwellenbach is a superstar.
