It’s been a difficult week for ex-All-Star Mike Foltynewicz. On Monday, the Braves gave him DFA after showing a sharp decrease in his speed for the second consecutive season, resulting in consecutive porous outings against the Marlins and Rays. And yesterday, he was sent directly to Gwinnett because none of the other 29 teams claimed him in exemptions. That just shows how far it has fallen in a matter of months.
Even after an abysmal start in 2019, Foltynewicz was able to bounce back and became the Braves’ best pitcher down the stretch, ultimately leading him to start a Game 5 winner against all of the St. Louis Cardinals. We don’t need to repeat what happened in that game, but Folty still had the characteristics of a front-line starter. That has not been the case so far in 2020.
Folty’s speed has dropped five miles per hour since last year and more than seven miles per hour since 2018, leading many people (myself included) to question whether there is an underlying issue. However, yesterday on MLB Network’s High Heat, Alex Anthopoulos was clear in saying that Folty returned to camp healthy and in good shape after the lengthy layoff, things just weren’t there. And for a launcher who has always been a “kind of thing”, there is no way he will find much success if he cannot correct that.
#Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos discussed DFA decision Mike Foltynewicz with @MadDogUnleashed on #HighHeat. pic.twitter.com/AaEpVXaZ4j
– MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 30, 2020
That does not mean that it is impossible. The Braves are leaving the door open for a possible return. Foltynewicz will work with the taxi squad at Gwinnett, and if he can show a sustained increase in speed, the Braves will probably give him another chance. After all, they don’t have many other promising options in their rotation after Mike Soroka and Max Fried.
One way that could be possible for Folty is if he gains some weight.
Despite the fact that Anthopoulos said on the MLB Network that Folty returned to camp in good shape, it was overwhelmingly evident that he was much slimmer than he had in recent years. After he was sent directly to Gwinnett, Foltynewicz acknowledged the concerns and reportedly told Brian Snitker that he is already working on that in hopes that it will increase speed.
#Braves Snitker says the team hopes to put some weight on Folty through a diet and training plan. Snitker believes they can regain their speed if they rebuild it the right way.
– 92.9 The Game (@ 929TheGame) July 30, 2020
It won’t be an easy way back for Folty, and I wouldn’t expect her to return to Atlanta anytime soon. However, as long as there are no underlying problems, there is a chance that you can work things out in Gwinnett. Foltynewicz was able to do it last year and returned as the Braves’ best pitcher. It will be a little harder to do this season as there is no minor league season, but through bullpen sessions and live action practice, coaches will be able to tell if their stuff is back in shape. For the sake of the Braves, who are desperate for rotation help, let’s hope Folty can turn it around quickly.
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Photo: David J. Griffin / Icon Sportswire
