The Atlanta Braves are a very young team with a lot of young pitching. They have some great guys in their rotation none of which are over the age of 28. Below is my prediction for their pitching rotation and a look at the value of their arms as far as fantasy is concerned.

1. Kris Medlen

Medlen has proved over the past two years that he deserves to become the true ace of this ballclub and he will look to do just that this season. Dating back to 2010, Medlen and the Braves put together 22 straight wins with Medlen on the mound. This streak ended of course but his 2013 was still a success. He went 15-12 last year with an ERA of 3.11. As far as fantasy numbers are concerned Medlen would be a great pickup. He may not be considered an ace but when he pitches the Braves win. Over the past two years the Braves have went 30-14 when Medlen is the starting pitcher. He doesn’t blow you away with speed but he also doesn’t have to. Sitting under six feet tall has let him fly under the radar but not anymore. Watch out for an ace like season from the 28 year old.

2. Mike Minor

Minor also had a very good 2013 if you don’t count the last two months of the season. He pitched amazing in July compiling an ERA of 2.18 over six starts. He also pitched a complete game in the month of July. It felt like the wheels just fell off the wagon for Minor at the end of the year and that could partly be due to fatigue. In August he pitched to the tune of a 4.71 ERA followed by a 3.94 ERA. Overall his ERA ended up being 3.21 which is hard to complain about. The one worry for him and fantasy owners is that he has been having a bit of trouble with his left shoulder, which is also his pitching shoulder. He was stated to saying that it has been a bit “cranky” but pitched off the mound yesterday without a problem. Minor has been going before Medlen in about half of the mock drafts I have been involved in. When it comes down to it Medlen should be the first Braves pitcher you go after followed up shortly by Minor.

3. Julio Teheran

My oh my do the Braves have a stud in Teheran. Last year in his rookie season Julio balled out and let everyone know that he is a certified stud. At the ripe age of 22 years-old he went out and pitched like a man possesed. He finished the year with an ERA of 3.20 while finishing tenth in the NL in wins and tenth in the NL in win percentage. He finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and showed the Braves enough to get him a six year extension worth $32.4 million guaranteed. Everyone keeps talking about how the Braves don’t have one legit ace but the scary thing is all three of these men could be aces on a handful of other teams. Teheran has been drafted in around the twelfth to sixteenth rounds of mocks and if you ask me he is a steal at anything over the thirteenth round. Look for this guy to grow off of his 2013 success.

4. Brandon Beachy

Here is where things get interesting for the Braves. In 2012 Beachy was looking like not only the best pitcher on the Braves but the best pitcher in the National League. He had an even ERA of 2.00 with 68 strikeouts over 81 innings pitched. He also pitched a complete game shutout that got the attention of mainstream media. Than the injury happened. The pitchers worst nightmare, Tommy freakin’ John. He ended up missing the rest of 2012 and a boat load of 2013. The one positive is that he did get to throw at the Major League level in 2013, throwing 30 innings before having to get a touch up on his elbow. Drafting him at this point would be very risky. Keep an eye on this guys first few starts and if the numbers are good snag him up as quickly as possible. Who knows, he might just get back to that 2012 pitcher that we are all dying to see.

The final spot in the rotation is really up for grabs at this point. Regardless who the Braves decided to be the number five; whether it be Alex Wood or Freddy Garcia. Either way you should not be drafting either of these guys until they give you at least two months worth of proven value.