One of the few spots that the Atlanta Braves have open for competition in Spring Training is the fifth starter spot in the rotation. Bryce Elder, who was an All-Star last year, young right hander with a live arm AJ Smith-Shawver, and offseason acquisition Reynaldo López seem to be the current favorites to land the job. However, Braves television play-by-play voice Brandon Gaudin gave his dark horse pick to win the role, and it’s Huascar Ynoa.
In 2021 Ynoa was in the midst of a breakout season before punching a dugout bench in frustration and breaking his hand. Before the injury Ynoa was sporting a 3.02 ERA in eight starts, tallying 50 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings. Ynoa had been one of the few constants in Atlanta’s rotation that season after Max Fried and Mike Soroka had each missed significant time due to their own injuries.
In September of 2022 Ynoa had Tommy John surgery and hasn’t pitched in the majors since. So after showing some promise, then having a couple of injury plagued seasons, and now in 2024 being healthy and more mature, Ynoa is definitely one of the guys that could end up being the fifth starter in the Braves opening day rotation if he has a good spring.