Should Eshelman replace LeBlanc in the rotation?

[wildcard]

Wade LeBlanc is off to a rough start to the season. He has 7.13 ERA in 4 starts with a 1.47 WHIP. He has had one good start.  5.1 IP and allowed one run vs Tampa.    But the other three have not been good.

Boston 5.2 IP,  4 ER

Miami  3.1 IP 6 ER

Phil  3.1 IP,  3 ER

Eshelman  has made 2 starts plus a relief appearance.  He has a 3.65 ER and a 0.89 WHIP.

Miami 3.1 IP,  1 ER

Wash  4 IP,  2 ER

Phil  5 IP,  2 ER

Another factor is that LeBlanc is 36 years old and Eshelman is 26.    I could see LeBlanc moving to mid/long relief.

Before someone tells be Eshelman is no good and is not part of the future.   Personally, I don't care as long as he is effective which he appears to be to this point.

[Sports Guy]

Neither should be in the rotation.

Flip a coin as to which one will perform better in any given start.

[maybenxtyr]

4 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Neither should be in the rotation.

Flip a coin as to which one will perform better in any given start.

Exactly. There would be more benefits to having Akin get their starts in my opinion.

[wildcard]

16 minutes ago, maybenxtyr said:

Exactly. There would be more benefits to having Akin get their starts in my opinion.

Not if  the O's are trying to win now.

[Sports Guy]

2 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Not if  the O's are trying to win now.

How do you know Akin isn’t better?  He certainly has more upside than either and it’s not like Eshelman is dripping with ML experience.

[Aristotelian]

I like the idea of Akin to keep a lefty in the rotation. I still give Leblanc a pretty long leash and make Akin earn it. You just can't go changing your plan every couple of weeks or else you will get guys feeling like their whole career rests on the next pitch. Get it out of your head that Eshelman is in any way, shape, or form a good pitcher.

[Philip]

Ummmmm no

[Can_of_corn]

8 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Not if  the O's are trying to win now.

Do you think the O's should prioritize winning now over player development?

[ScGO's]

I think Leblanc, Eshleman, Milone, Akin,and even Wojo should be used in opener or long relief roles where they work 2-4 innings (length determined by trips through the line up) stints.  Don't let the opponents get comfortable by allowing them to get through the line up 2 or 3 times.  Milone to Wojo, or a Akin to Eshelman could confuse the opponents by offering different looks in arm slots, velo, and pitch selection.  No better year than 2020 to try this strategy.

[Redskins Rick]

28 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Do you think the O's should prioritize winning now over player development?

Cant we have both?

[Ruzious]

I think both Kremer and Lowther should be in the rotation, but that's just me.  

[Can_of_corn]

6 minutes ago, Redskins Rick said:

Cant we have both?

You can't prioritize both.

[Moose Milligan]

I'd be ok with Eshelman replacing LeBlanc.  Not thrilled, just ok.  

[Redskins Rick]

3 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

You can't prioritize both.

Sorry, forgot to include my sarcasm alert icon.

Im totally on board, with development first, that will provide long term winning teams, hopefully.

Sorry just being a bit flippant and its obvious some other posters dont understand.

[Big Mac]

It should be Akin.  I do not understand the hesitation to use him while also having all the confidence in the world in guys with lesser minor league track records who barely have ML experience (i.e., Sulser, Lakins and Eshelman).