So when they do, it feels like a big deal. And it’s safe to say that last season’s marquee free agent signing ended up being one of the most impactful so far of the 2024 season.That was a surprise when the team announced it - López had experience starting in his career, but it hadn’t gone well. Across 2018 and 2019 for the Chicago White Sox, he made 65 starts to a 17-25 record and a 4.64 ERA. His 110 earned runs allowed in 2019 led all of baseball.
But Atlanta was adamant that he would have a legitimate chance to win the 5th starter’s job, and not only did López do that, he excelled: Here’s a list of Atlanta-era Braves starers to post a lower ERA through their first seven starts of a season. Tell me what you notice about these names:If the answer is “two of the three greatest Atlanta-era pitchers in franchise history and someone who looked to be generational before devastating injuries took that away”, then you understand how impressive the start to the season has been for López.