He’s got a 99 mph fastball and a built-in nickname. The rest is up to Mike Foltynewicz, the Braves’ third best prospect according to Baseball America. “Folty” was the headliner among the trio of players the Braves obtained from the Houston Astros in the trade for Evan Gattis.
Even among the host of young talent the Braves acquired this winter, this one stood out. Not just because of the “Folty” moniker or the 6-foot-4 frame and the thick blond hair. It was the opportunity that came from the trade and calls from Braves president of baseball operations John Hart and manager Fredi Gonzalez telling Foltynewicz point blank he had a chance to win a rotation spot in spring training.
Folty, who got his first major league action pitching out of the Astros bullpen last year for the stretch run, fought some nerves in spring training, as well as inconsistency and a lack of fastball command. He lost out for a spot in the rotation to veteran Eric Stults. But the way he’s pitching at Triple-A Gwinnett, it won’t be long before the Braves give him another shot.
“It’s tough, a little bit, coming into an organization,” Foltynewicz said. “I tried to impress them, to be like ‘Hey, I’m here, this is why you traded for me for a big-name guy like Gattis. I was just out there trying to do a little too much. These last couple of outings before the season started I think I settled down a little more. They told me to stay within yourself, do what you can do. So I did that basically. I took it into the season and stayed more relaxed, more under control.”
Folty’s numbers back that. He leads the G-Braves rotation with a 1.62 ERA through three starts. He has allowed three earned runs in 16 2/3 innings, walked seven and struck out 21. He’s holding opponents to a .175 batting average. Foltynewicz is 0-2, but only because the G-Braves have failed to score a run while he’s been on the mound.
He’s scheduled to make his fourth start for Gwinnett on Saturday in Durham.
G-Braves manager Brian Snitker sounded almost prophetic talking recently about Folty’s progression during his first two starts, when he allowed only one run each in four innings and 4 2/3 innings.
“I can’t wait to get him out there more when he gets that good game strength because he’s a big, strong kid,” Snitker said. “I was kidding with (Gwinnett pitching coach) Marty (Reed) he could throw all night. He’s so strong. He doesn’t labor or anything. He doesn’t ever look tired to me. He just keeps pitching. We have parameters that we go by, but he looks like he’s one of those guys that when you loosen him up on game day, he could go out there and throw all night.”
After a rainout gave him an extra day’s rest, Foltynewicz proceeded to pitch eight innings in his next start Monday at Norfolk. Again he allowed only one run, and this time he struck out nine batters and walked one. His command was just as impressive as his stamina on a night when he threw 72 of his 105 pitches for strikes.
Foltynewicz came out of spring training working on some adjustments suggested by Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell. One of his primary tasks was working on a hip turn at the top of his delivery that helps him stay back.
“I get a little fast, especially when the game starts going on,” Foltynewicz said. “Adrenaline kicks in and my arm can’t catch up with my body. Even though I’ve had quite a few walks here, I think my control of my pitches has been a lot better, especially my offspeed. So everything is coming along.”
