As the Atlanta Braves continue to get their starting pitchers healthy they have had to rely on a couple of rookie pitchers early on in the season in Dylan Dodd and Jared Shuster. Both had promising performances in their first major league starts, Shuster had a rough first inning in his MLB debut, but settled down quite nicely after giving up four first inning runs to the Washington Nationals
Dodd had a really good major league debut, and was even able to secure a victory for his Braves. However, both Shuster and Dodd struggled in their second starts in which they both faced the San Diego Padres. Shuster in Game 2 gave up four runs, all earned, on six hits, with four walks and four strikeouts in 4 innings of work. Shuster gave up three of his four runs in the first two innings of the game.
Dodd really struggled in his second start giving up seven earned runs, off 10 hits, in just 4 1/3 innings. Even though it’s just their first two starts in their young major league careers, have Dodd and Shuster shown you enough to make you think they aren’t quite ready to pitch in the majors yet?
The Morning shift, featuring Rob Tribble who was filling in for Tiffany Blackmon, gave its take earlier today.
Mike Johnson believes the reason that Dodd struggled Sunday night in the series finale was simple.
“He was throwing 90 miles per hour, 89, right at certain points, the slider wasn’t working, and to me San Diego had the book on him because he was known in his first start," said Johnson. "You’re going to pound the zone, you’re going to try to get guys out and ground into double plays.
“They jumped on him early in the count, and even when they did get behind, numerous hits on 0-2 counts because they knew he was coming back to the zone, and the stuff was not something they were going to miss. He’s not throwing high 90s, he’s not throwing a four-seam fastball, the slider wasn’t working, and he had nothing else to go to. So when you’re throwing 89 and you don’t have the slider, and they know you’re coming for the zone, you’re cooked and he was.”
Mike finishes his thought by talking about how Dodd and Shuster have the opposite problems right now.
“Shuster can’t find the strike zone, right, an insane amount of walks," said Johnson. "He’s dealing with command issues and gets sent down because he’s walking guys and really can’t find the zone. Dylan Dodd is the opposite, he’s finding way too much of the zone. He’s finding way too much of the zone and his stuff is not electric enough for that.”
If Dodd doesn’t have the stuff to get guys out, or can’t learn how to waste some pitches to get some guys to chase, and if Shuster can’t find the zone then those guys unfortunately won’t find much success in the majors. However, Dodd did just have one bad start so far, so maybe he can bounce back. Shuster has already been sent back down to Triple-A to continue to develop his game.
With Kyle Wright hopeful to come back Tuesday for the Braves it looks like Bryce Elder and Dylan Dodd will continue to battle for the fifth starter spot for now. Once Max Fried gets healthy a decision will have to be made. Elder looked very good in his last start, and will have a chance to put together back-to-back good outings as he is set to start against the Cincinnati Reds Monday.
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