Be patient with the Atlanta Braves’ latest reclamation project

The Atlanta Braves need to be patient and play the long game with Justus Sheffield at Triple-A.

After being released by the Seattle Mariners in April, the Atlanta Braves rolled the dice in signing former top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield to a minor league contract one month ago.

Sheffield once was a prized farm hand in the Cleveland and New York Yankees organizations. He was the big piece that came over to Seattle in the James Paxton trade. While he certainly had his moments with the M’s, 2022 was a struggle for him, ultimately leading to his outright release in April 2023. He was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, but had trouble during his first start.

Despite giving up five earned runs on four hits with three walks in 3.2 innings in Saturday’s loss to the Charlotte Knights, four of those runs came by way of a grand slam. Let’s have a little patience.

With how well-run of an operation the Braves have been during the Alex Anthopoulos and Brian Snitker era, Atlanta should be given the benefit of doubt here with its latest reclamation project.

Atlanta Braves must be patient with the Justus Sheffield reclamation project

Clearly, the Braves’ brass see something the Mariners’ front office no longer does. Admittedly, Seattle has had plenty of time to reach a strong conclusion that Sheffield is no longer of use to them. However, teams like the Braves continue to be on top because they continually look under every rock and leave no stone unturned. Their culture allows for reclamation projects to flourish.

The best part about it when it comes to the Braves is they are not in a spot of great desperation, one where they need for Sheffield to be called up in a hurry and produce for them. This team will not have Max Fried or Kyle Wright available for the better part of the season due to injury. As long as Bryce Elder, Charlie Morton and Spencer Strider pitch well, this team will always have a chance.

Ultimately, it doesn’t serve the Braves organization to boot Sheffield after a rocky debut with his new franchise. Frankly, you would rather have him give up a grand slam in a game for Triple-A Gwinnett than see one fly deep into the night over the Chop House at Truist Park. While it remains to be seen if he will help the Braves in any capacity this year, let’s give him some time to marinate.

Baseball is always about taking the short-term losses for the long-term gains to win in October.