Darius Vines - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Outlook and Analysis (Week 9)

PROSPECT: Darius Vines, SP, Atlanta Braves

CURRENT LEVEL: MLB (recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett)

2024 STATS: 6 G, 6 GS, 0-1, 35.1 IP, 4.58 ERA, 5.36 FIP, 7.64 K/9, 2.55 BB/9, 1.78 HR/9, 39.4% GB%, .273 BABIP

ANALYSIS: RHP Darius Vines was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday. The stats above are his Triple-A stats, but Vines was with the Braves for two starts earlier this season as well. In those two starts, he went nine-and-a-third innings, allowing five earned runs (4.66 ERA, 5.53 FIP) on 11 hits and three walks (1.45 WHIP), while striking out six (5.59 K/9).

Darius Vines, Dirty 81mph Changeup. 👌 pic.twitter.com/nnNUwLaKDV

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 31, 2023

Vines made his debut with the Braves in 2023, making five appearances (two starts) last season and the results were much of the same. The righty also pitched in the Arizona Fall League last year, but other than the strikeouts (23 in 16 1/3 IP), there wasn't much else that was notable. So expectations should be tempered where there might normally be excitement for a starting pitcher on the Braves. Especially since offense has been hard to come by as of late for Atlanta (3.0 R/game over the last three).

Bryce Elder's most recent blowup got him sent down which opened up a spot in the Braves rotation, so it's possible Vines is named the starter Thursday or Friday (starter both days is "Undecided" right now). Thursday would be against the Cubs (4.42 R/game, 13th in MLB) in Chicago and Friday would be against the Pirates (3.75 R/game, 28th in MLB) in Pittsburgh, so the latter would seemingly be the better draw. Either way, you're probably staying away for season-long fantasy unless you're desperate. If interested for DFS, the Pirates strike out (9.40 K/game, 26th) more than the Cubs (8.73 K/game, 18th).

The Braves are in need of a fifth starter right now, so if Vines can find a way to be successful he could stick around for a while, but only if he takes a step forward in his development will he be appealing in season-long leagues. For pitching-starved managers, the 26-year-old is available in nearly all Yahoo leagues for the taking.

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