Mark Bowman with some hot news about the Braves’ rotation:
Braves’ Beachy Beats Out Minor For No. 5 Slot
The Braves have optioned Mike Minor to Triple-A Gwinnett and informed him that Brandon Beachy will begin the season as their fifth starter. Minor was informed of the decision Thursday morning.
This was a great battle, featuring two young pitchers with great minor-league track records but otherwise almost completely different.
Minor was the seventh overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft (it’s hard to recall now, but just four years ago the Braves went 72-90, giving them a rare high draft choice). Beachy wasn’t drafted at all, signing as a free agent out of Indiana Wesleyan University. Minor’s got great stuff and projects as a No. 2 starter (whatever that means); Beachy doesn’t throw as hard and projects as a No. 4 (ditto). Both have pitched brilliantly in the minors, with Beachy’s numbers somewhat more impressive.
Making this decision impossible? Both have pitched well this month. Both have pitched 10 innings. Beachy’s given up two runs, Minor just one. Apparently there’s some talk about Minor refining his secondary pitches in the minors, but that’s a smoke screen, just something management says when they send someone down who doesn’t really need more time down.
Minor's probably as good as Derek Lowe right now, but Lowe's still owed $30 million -- half this year, half next -- so he's not going anywhere soon. And it's a wonderful luxury, having six pitchers who are good enough to start for almost anyone. Don't feel bad for Mike Minor. He'll get his shot, and it probably won't take long.
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