Who was the most challenging pitcher to watch for Braves fans in 2023? Most people’s response could be to face the 2024 Braves offense this time.
Aside from Strider, Morton, and Elder, the Atlanta Braves’ starting rotation was largely patchwork. While Max Fried and Kyle Wright were injured for the majority of last season, Atlanta ran through a carousel of backend starters in search of one who would stick.
Fortunately, the Braves offense now has the opportunity to get retribution on one of last season’s band-aid starters. According to Christina De Nicola, a Miami Marlins beat writer, former Brave Yonny Chirinos will be among the non-roster invitees in Marlins camp.
Chirinos signs minor league deal with the fish
It’s true that none of the band-aid starters took over the fifth slot in the rotation, but Chirinos certainly had the poorest performance of everyone given a shot last summer. He was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay (the Rays putting him on waivers was a red signal in and of itself), and he only made five starts for Atlanta during his time with the Braves.
Chirinos went on to allow at least three earned runs in each of his subsequent starts. He also had a couple of bad outings, giving up six runs against the Mets and Pirates. Granted, it was a short sample size, but Chirinos’ 9.27 ERA, 5.27 FIP, and five home runs allowed in just 22.1 innings with the Braves did not win over many Atlanta fans.
Even when you include his decent Rays performances, his 2023 totals leave a lot to be desired. According to Fangraphs, Chirinos produced a 6.20 xERA, 5.43 FIP, and -0.3 fWAR in 85 innings last year. Bob, you’re not doing great.
The good news is that if Chirinos makes the Marlins roster, the heavy-hitting Braves offense may have an opportunity to pound him next season. However, that is a significant if, given Miami’s abundance of extremely talented (and much younger) starting pitchers. Regardless, even if it is a depth signing for the Marlins, pitching injuries are common, so seeing Chirinos in mid-June is not out of the question.
