Will Cory Gearrin Make His Presence Felt with Atlanta Braves in 2013?

In a bullpen as successful and stacked as that of the Atlanta Braves, new spots don’t just come along every afternoon. That is why when Cory Gearrin got a chance to pitch, he made the most of it. Going into the 2013 Major League Baseball season, he has a chance to be one of the staples in the Braves pen. Does he have what it takes? Do the Braves need what he has to offer?

Gearrin first of all doesn’t exactly look like a six-foot plus, over two-hundred pound relief power pitcher. At first glance he might not even look to be a major leaguer at all. First impressions can be very deceiving, however. This impression of Gearrin most certainly is. Second impression for this pitcher would be the one where you noticed he was a sidearm pitcher. Doesn’t every team need at least one sidearm relief pitcher?

Honestly, I think that the Braves do. Last season, he displayed a 1.80 ERA in a partial season. That isn’t exactly a fluke either. In the minors he posted a 2.94 career ERA while average about nine strikeouts per nine innings. Basically, this is a guy that can get good hitters out. Sidearmers are great for getting that right-handed power hitter to ground into a double play instead of pounding a giant home-run over the fence. So, I’m not sure if every bullpen needs a sidearm relief pitcher, but the Braves most certainly need Gearrin this year. It could complete this great looking pen.

David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google₊.