Braves predicted to call up 1.72 ERA righty to round-out starting rotation

The Atlanta Braves are 9-5 and in first place in the NL East. Despite all of the concerns about the starting rotation, it's been a solid unit this season so far.

Chris Sale has been good, Reynaldo Lopez has a 1.15 ERA, Grant Holmes has a 2.55 ERA, and even Bryce Elder has a 1.02 ERA so far this season. It's been a surprisingly worry-free unit.

However, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter is predicting that the Braves will make an aggressive call-up to replace Martin Perez this April with 1.72 ERA righty starting pitching prospect, JR Ritchie.

Braves predicted to call up JR Ritchie this April

"The Braves are currently trying to squeeze innings out of veteran Martin Perez at the back of a banged-up rotation, but he might be just one or two shaky starts away from ceding his spot to Richie," Reuter writes.

Atlanta doesn't have a major issue with Perez right now, as he has a 3.86 ERA in two starts so far this season. But if he were to have a blowup start or two, the Braves could be eager to make a move.

Didier Fuentes looked good in his appearance this season, but if the Braves wanted a completely new face, they could turn to Ritchie for the fifth rotation spot.

More: Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar

That's what Reuter is predicting the Braves will do this April, calling up Ritchie, the righty with a 1.72 ERA in 15.2 innings of work across three starts this season in the minor leagues.

The 22-year-old would be a fun call-up for Atlanta, and has been a great pitcher in the minor leagues with a 2.74 ERA in 49 starts in his career so far.

It would be a bold call-up decision, but if none of the injured starters, like Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, or Hurston Waldrep, are good to go, then calling up Ritchie to bolster the rotation wouldn't be the worst idea.

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