Braves: 1 prospect to call up, 1 veteran to demote

Drew Smyly has not pitched well since signing with the Braves this offseason

If somebody has to be called up, that means somebody has to be sent down, or outright released. In an attempt to improve their starting rotation, the Braves signed veteran right-hander Charlie Morton and crafty left-hander Drew Smyly this past offseason. While Morton has had his moments, it has been a lot of homers off Smyly’s offerings in Braves uniform. It cannot continue.

Through four starts this season for the Braves, Smyly is 0-2 on the year with an 8.05 ERA and a 1.526 WHIP. He has given up nine home runs in 19 innings pitched, while only striking out 18. Because he was not slated to be a frontline starter for this team, his spot in the rotation could be taken by someone who is pitching better. He is being outperformed by right-hander Huascar Ynoa.

Of course, Smyly is an eight-year big-league veteran and is 31 years old. Sending him down may not be an option from a contractual standpoint, but the Braves are not getting their money’s worth of the $11 million for 2021. While anything he does on the mound this year will be better than the one inning Atlanta got out of Cole Hamels last year, Smyly’s April was a very rough one.

Ultimately, the Braves’ top prospects are not yet ready to be making the leap to the big-league level just yet. However, guys like Anderson, centerfielder Cristian Pache and catcher William Contreras being able to contribute already like they have been is a sign that Atlanta’s farm system is in good shape. Even if Smyly improves in the coming weeks, Muller could replace someone else.

Will the Braves send Muller up in the big leagues sooner rather than later, or will he have to wait?