It seems a formality that promising young right-handed Julio Teheran will be part of the Braves’ starting rotation to begin the season.
That’s what his performance this spring suggests, with the most recent evidence the one run and three hits he allowed over six innings against the Mets Sunday. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Teheran will be the fifth starter “barring something crazy” over the final two weeks of camp. Teheran said he thinks he’s shown enough to prove he belongs.
Still, the 22-year old is eagerly awaiting for his big-league roster spot to become official.
“I’m waiting on them to tell me,” Teheran said, smiling. “I’m real excited.”
Teheran entered the year rated as the organization’s No. 1 prospect by Baseball America and with the inside track to become the fifth starter. He’s done everything he can to live up to those expectations, both with his numbers and his poise.
Teheran has pitched 20 innings this spring and allowed just seven hits and three earned runs with 25 strikeouts and six walks. He’s posted a 1.35 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP.
Teheran showed again Sunday that he’s matured since a rough spring in 2012 cost him a shot at a rotation spot. After Jordany Valdespin led off the first inning with a home run Ike Davis doubled, Teheran settled down and allowed just three base runners the rest of the way and none past first base.
Teheran, who also struggled in Triple-A and during a couple appearances with the Braves in 2012, said he may have not recovered from a rough start such as that last season. He said he’s determined to prove he belongs this year.
“Trying to make the team,” he said. “When I get out there, try to impress them. I think that’s why I’ve been doing good.”
Teheran worked on his sinker and curve ball during winter ball in the Dominican Republic and said he’s now confident he can throw those pitches for strikes after he “tried to throw my fastball past everybody” last year.
“From what he’s shown me he’s got command of four different pitches,” Braves catcher Gerald Laird said. “He’s got breaking stuff and the (change-up) that’s come a long way. I think the pitch that’s really kind of put him over the edge is that (sinker) he’s learned to locate and throw in the zone. If he can establish a pitch like that with his velocity, he’s going to get a lot of ground balls, and that’s huge.”
The plan is for Teheran to have two more six-inning outings in the spring before winding down with a lighter load. Then, presumably, Teheran would pitch during Atlanta’s second regular-season series against the Cubs.
“If we’ve got to break camp tomorrow, he’s our fifth starter,” Gonzalez said. “He’s pitched that well.”
Short hops: Gonzalez said right-handed Brandon Beachy is on schedule to return in late June after he had Tommy John surgery last June: "He's on target. He's thrown some bullpens, he's played some long catch and he hasn't had any setbacks." …
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Monday’s game will be televised by ESPN.
