Breaking: Braves All-Star Sets Sights on Joining Exclusive Club – Can He Do It?
Pitchers logging 200 innings in a season has become increasingly uncommon over the years. Still, it may come as quite a surprise that the Braves, a team known for its pitching prowess, have not had a single starter reach that threshold since 2015.
One Atlanta hurler has his sights set on stopping that streak this year.
Reynaldo Lopez is entering his second season with the Braves aiming at some lofty goals. Lopez stated on Monday that he wants “to build off last year to make 30-35 starts” and “hit the 200 innings.”
That may seem a little far-fetched for a pitcher who made the transition back to starting last season after two years as a late-inning reliever. However, Lopez proved the doubters wrong and made the Braves look brilliant in 2024, earning his first All-Star selection and posting a 1.99 ERA across 135.2 innings in 26 appearances (25 starts).
Lopez spent the early years of his career as a starter, making 32 and 33 starts respectively in 2018 and 2019 for the White Sox. He cleared 180 innings in both of those seasons, so the waters Lopez wants to sail are not completely uncharted for him.
The Braves have lost a couple of workhorses this offseason in Max Fried and Charlie Morton. The club has not seen fit to add any additional depth to the rotation as of yet, preferring to give in-house options a chance this spring instead.
The Braves need that next leap from Lopez, and the staff certainly has to love his approach. Manager Brian Snitker believes “it’s going to be great for him (Lopez)” now that the righty is more accustomed to the workload.
Lopez made his first start of Spring Training on Tuesday, throwing 30 pitches (22 strikes) over two scoreless frames with a pair of strikeouts.
