The article explores the struggles of the Braves' pitching staff during Spring Training. Despite the experimental nature of this period, especially for pitchers, the impact of bad performances can weigh heavily on fans. The author reflects on a particularly disappointing season from Shane Reynolds, who, despite a decent fWAR, exhibited poor pitching with a high number of walks and home runs. This experience highlights the complexities of assessing a pitcher's capability and the frustration that comes with inconsistent performance during Spring Training games, which serve as both preparation and evaluation periods.
On the one hand, it's Spring Training, so who cares? On the other hand, bad pitching is a bit of a drain on the ol' soul.
Reynolds spent just one season at the tail end of his career with the Braves, and he still amassed 1.4 fWAR for a really good Braves team.
I always thought of him as a walking time bomb, but unlike the kind that just generates tension, he also imploded a lot.
In 29 starts in that 2003 season for the Braves, he had nine different outings with more walks than strikeouts.
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