When the Braves acquired Mike Foltynewicz from the Astros in the Evan Gattis trade back in January 2015, they knew there would be some inevitable growing pains. Foltynewicz always had the stuff to be a frontline starter, but he lacked the consistency and mental fortitude to regularly work deep into games. He had tantalizing potential, but would he ever get there?
The answer, after three years of ups and downs, was a resounding yes in 2018.
Foltynewicz made 31 starts (plus two in the NLDS) and tossed a career-high 183 innings.