LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – After watching pitchers throw bullpen sessions on the backfields for the past three days at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez feels even better about the group of arms at his disposal than he did when spring training began.
The next step is watching them face hitters in batting practice, beginning with the first full-squad workout Thursday morning. Braves position players other than catchers are due to report Wednesday, though most are already in camp, taking batting practice in the covered cages and on the main field while the pitchers worked on the backfields.
“I’ve been real impressed with the entire group of pitchers as a whole,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve got some pretty good arms, we really do. Overall I’m really happy with the pitching situation. It’s (only) Feb. 23, but there’s some good talent out there.”
The manager could be seen moving from field to field the past three days, getting his first look at many of the high-level pitching prospects the Braves acquired in offseason trades. He’s also checking in on some veterans they signed who are competing for roster spots, such as left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, a non-roster invitee and a leading candidates for the fifth-starter job.
“Wandy Rodriguez looks really good,” Gonzalez said after watching him Tuesday. “He spun some breaking balls.”
Rodriguez, who will have a $2 million salary if he makes the major league team, is competing with fellow veteran Eric Stults and a pair of prospects, Mike Foltynewicz and lefty Manny Banuelos. The Braves would consider putting either of the prospects in the bullpen to begin the season if they’re not in the rotation.
Rodriguez, 36, was limited to just 18 major league starts in the past two seasons due to injuries, and was 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in six starts with Pittsburgh in 2014. Once a fixture at or near the top of the Astros rotation, he won nine or more games in eight consecutive seasons through 2012 with the Astros and Pirates.
“He pitched a little winter ball,” Gonzalez said of the lefty, who had a 1.29 ERA in two starts in the Dominican Winter League, with five hits and one run allowed in seven innings. “He’s healthy. His arm’s working really good. He’s not laboring. Spinning the breaking ball.
“Boy, if we could get him back to those Pittsburgh Pirate years, or even Houston Astro years — pretty good fifth starter. He was their ace a couple of years, a guy that made some All-Star teams if I’m not mistaken. And he’s a guy that, hitting against him, he’d give you fits.”
Rodriguez had 11 or more wins in four consecutive seasons through 2012, while posting an ERA of 3.76 or lower in more than 190 innings every year in that period, including two seasons with 205 innings.
