2020 Braves Preview: Starting Rotation

With this shortened, unusual season, the strength of a team's starting rotation could be crucial in defining success. And the Atlanta Braves may have the talent and the depth to be one of the teams with one of the better rotations in baseball.

It all starts with Mike Soroka, who at 22 years old is now the official number one starter and will get the call Friday afternoon to start the season in New York against the Mets.

Max Fried will be the second starter. He was 17-6 last season and the Braves have loved how he's been throwing the ball in summer camp.

Mike Foltynewicz will no longer be expected to lead this rotation, and that might help the now-veteran starter to ease into a role as the number three starter.

Sean Newcomb's return to the rotation is almost complete. He wanted to be a starting pitcher again and Newcomb has done nothing to give the Braves cause he can't pull this off.

As for the fifth starter's spot, Kyle Wright will likely fill the role until Cole Hamels is ready. Wright was great in spring training after making a tweak in his delivery.

Anything the Braves are able to get from Hamels will likely be a bonus. He wasn't healthy when spring training started, and he's still behind five months later.

Josh Tomlin will serve as the piggyback starting pitcher, one who could start or either relieve a starter in the middle innings and be the bridge pitcher to get the team to the bullpen. Touki Toussaint and Bryse Wilson could also be in that role, as well.

This has a chance to be a very good rotation, and it could help the Braves be the leading contender to win the National League East for their third season in a row.

The Braves had a 4.20 starting rotation ERA last season, 12th best in baseball and seventh best in the National League. It is a safe bet to have higher expectations this season for a group that continues to get better.

Listen to The Bill Shanks Show weekdays at 3:00 p.m. ET on Middle Georgia’s ESPN. You can listen online at TheSuperStations.com. Follow Bill on Twitter at @billshanks and you can email him at thebillshanksshow@yahoo.com.