Braves Starting Pitcher Power Rankings: Who is the #2?

It’s time to update the Braves starting pitching power rankings.

If you’re new to this series, this is all about attempting to figure out who could potentially start Game 2 of a playoff series behind Chris Sale — and after three weeks, it feels like we’re finally getting some separation at the top.

Removed From Rankings: Spencer Schwellenbach

We’re now three weeks into August, and there hasn’t been a single positive update on Spencer Schwellenbach. Even if he began a rehab assignment today, it would be almost impossible to start him in any kind of postseason setting. His season is likely finished — a disappointing thing to say about one of the Braves’ most talented arms.

5. Bryce Elder (Previous Ranking: 5)

Elder really hasn’t done a lot wrong this entire season. He’ll have a blowup start here and there, but it’s typically sandwiched between three or four quality outings. That was the case again this week. After giving up seven runs his last time out, he bounced back with six innings of one-run ball against the Diamondbacks.

However, we also learned that Elder has been battling a knee injury. He hasn’t pitched in five days and isn’t on the schedule over the next four. Given the Braves have yet to place him on the IL, it doesn’t appear to be anything serious, but it’s hard to move him up this list with that unknown.

4. Martin Pérez (Previous Ranking: 4)

Pérez’s scoreless inning streak ended this week, as he allowed four runs in the first inning against the Twins. However, he settled in and gave the Braves a chance to win, tossing his next four innings without allowing a run. There remains a very good chance we see him pitch come October in some capacity, but he’s highly unlikely to get the ball in Game 2.

3. Grant Holmes (Previous Ranking: 3)

It’s a good sign for the rest of the group when Holmes carries a no-hitter into the seventh inning and still doesn’t move up a spot on this list. Atlanta’s own Kenny Powers will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the postseason — whether that’s as a starter or a reliever.

2. AJ Smith-Shawver (Previous Ranking: 1)

Box scores be damned — Smith-Shawver was mostly brilliant in his return to the majors this week. He had so much more command of his splitter and seemed a lot more confident in all of his offerings. The upside with Smith-Shawver remains head and shoulders above everyone else on this list. If he puts it all together coming down the stretch, there’s no doubt who should get the ball in Game 2. But because of the way the guy ahead of him has pitched, I need to see a little more before Smith-Shawver retakes the top spot.

1. Tyler Mahle (Previous Ranking: 2)

An argument could be made that Tyler Mahle has been the best trade deadline acquisition of anyone thus far. After 6.2 innings of two-run ball against the Twins this week, he now has a 1.45 ERA in a Braves uniform and is averaging more than a strikeout per inning. For now, I’m leaning into the narrative that the Braves saw something in Mahle they could fix, and the results are speaking for themselves. We’ve seen it time and time again with this organization. Regression is undoubtedly coming, but right now, Mahle would get the ball in Game 2.