Braves options to replace Spencer Schwellenbach

Spencer Schwellenbach going down with a fractured elbow feels like one too many injuries for the Braves to overcome. The club is now down its 1-4 starters from Opening Day, and it feels like they don’t really have anywhere else to turn for a reliable starting pitcher.

Bryce Elder and 20-year-old Didier Fuentes are already in the majors. Two guys that, in a perfect world, would have never even made a start for the Braves this season. That’s how dire the situation has become, and Brian Snitker has said the Braves will evaluate all of their options from the AA and AAA levels in an attempt to replace Spencer Schwellenbach.

Braves AAA Options

• Hurston Waldrep — 15 starts, 5.64 ERA, 1.602 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 5.2 BB/9
• Nathan Wiles — 14 starts, 3.55 ERA, 1.483 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 2.8 BB/9
• Davis Daniel — 13 starts, 3.82 ERA, 1.302 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 3.9 BB/9
• Jackson Stephens — 17 appearances (3 starts), 1.129 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9

I don’t really think it should be much of a question who should get the first opportunity to replace Schwellenbach. The only answer is Jackson Stephens. The Braves have stretched him out recently in case of emergency, and in his first three starts since returning from the Development List, he’s allowed just one earned run over 14.2 innings. Stephens also has the most MLB experience of the bunch and had some success.

Ideally, Hurston Waldrep — one of the Braves top prospects — would be ready for this opportunity, but he just isn’t close. Control issues have plagued him all season, and that’s not something that’s going to magically fix itself at the major-league level.

Braves AA Options

• Ian Mejia — 14 appearances (10 starts), 1.96 ERA, 0.936 WHIP, 6.9 K/9 , 2.4 BB/9
• Blake Burkhalter — 13 starts, 3.29 ERA, 1.325 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 3.7 BB/9
• JR Ritchie — 7 starts, 4.01 ERA, 1.158 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 4.0 BB/9
• Landon Harper — 15 appearances (6 starts), 3.00 ERA, 1.074 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 2.0 BB/9
• Lucas Braun — 13 starts, 4.58 ERA, 1.179 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 2.0 BB/9

Ian Mejia is intriguing because, despite not having overpowering stuff, he keeps getting guys out with ease at the AA level. However, the reality is, none of these guys are ready to pitch in the majors, and they really aren’t that close. Unfortunately, if the arms above them falter, the Braves may have no other choice but to turn to a AA option. Anybody that gets hot on the farm right now could be next.