The Braves announced several roster moves Saturday, including the promotion of right-handed pitching prospect Kyle Wright, whom they selected from Triple-A Gwinnett. The club also transferred closer Arodys Vizcaino to the 60-day disabled list and selected outfielder Lane Adams’ contract from Triple-A. Meanwhile, injured righty Brandon McCarthy re-aggravated his right knee during a rehab assignment and did not come off the 60-day DL, Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
There’s a lot to unpack here, though the most exciting news for Atlanta is the addition of Wright. The ex-Vanderbilt standout entered the 2017 draft as a potential No. 1 pick, but he fell to No. 5, leading the Braves to scoop Wright up and sign him to a then-record bonus worth $7MM. Wright has made good on that pick by emerging as one of the majors’ elite pitching prospects, evidenced in part by MLB.com ranking him as the game’s 24th-best farmhand. The 22-year-old is set to become the latest highly promising Braves hurler to debut in 2018, joining the now-injured Mike Soroka, Touki Toussaint and Kolby Allard.
While Wright has a chance to eventually emerge as a high-end starter, he’ll work out of the playoff-contending Braves’ bullpen down the stretch, per Burns. Wright did make three relief appearances out of seven at the Triple-A level this year, but he has primarily served as a starter in 2018. Across 27 appearances and 24 starts between Double-A and Triple-A this season, Wright pitched to a 3.46 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9.
Elsewhere in the Braves’ bullpen, Vizcaino’s move to the 60-day DL looks discouraging on the surface, but he’s still likely to make it back in 2018, manager Brian Snitker told Burns and other reporters on Saturday. Vizcaino had been on the 10-day DL since July 14 with right shoulder troubles, so he’s now ineligible to return until mid-September. His absence has paved the way for lefty A.J. Minter to close for the Braves, and the latter has converted 11 of 13 saves while notching a 3.12 ERA with 10.21 K/9 against 2.94 BB/9 in 52 innings this season.
While the the latest development regarding Vizcaino isn’t ideal, McCarthy’s setback is downright discouraging, as it’s now possible he has thrown his last major league pitch. McCarthy, who hasn’t taken a major league mound since June 24, announced earlier this month that he plans to retire at the end of the season. The 35-year-old has started in all 15 of his appearances this season, but he was set to finish the year as a reliever upon his return.
Adams, whom the Braves signed to a minors pact in mid-July, saw action with them earlier season and last year, totaling 143 plate appearances and batting a respectable .270/.345/.460. The 28-year-old was out of the Atlanta organization for a brief period in 2018, though, as he elected free agency in late April and then latched on with the Cubs. But Adams struggled with Chicago’s top minor league affiliate before rejoining Gwinnett, with which he hit an unappealing .191/.238/.266 with no home runs in 101 PAs this season.
The Braves’ wealth of pitching prospects is unbelievable. Rest of the NL East, excluding the Phillies, should strongly consider a rebuild since they look like perennial winners until 2022+
He the first guy from the 2017 draft to make it to the show?
Yes but only a handful have made it from 2016 and 2 of them are padres. I think maybe 5-6 from the 16 draft. He was a college pitcher.
It’s crazy how many top notch SP prospects are close to being ready. I didn’t understand the move to re-up Flowers I want them to make a move for Sally Perez I think Allard & Fuller with a lower level prospect added could get it done
Also I feel Markakis has earned a 2 year extension if he is looking for a 3 yr I think a decision needs to be made. But 2 yrs until Waters is ready is fine by me. My only other question is what to do with Camargo/Riley for 3rd. I would like to give Riley another year at AAA to improve his strikeouts and give Dansby a year to turn it around his defense is there now and that was his biggest question mark so the work ethic is there
I love how bright the future looks
With all due respect to Waters…I think Pache will be up before Waters! The Braves will have a decision in a couple years of what to do with Inciarte…The outfield in 2-3 years should be Waters, Pache, and Acuna! So anything more then 2 years for Markakis should be a no go!
As for Salvador…I like that idea! Him or Realmuto would be great to have! Although I am excited about William Castillo and what he could do!
Needless to say the Braves are super deap with rotation pieces, but also have several position players still on the way!
I didn’t mention Jenista either! They could have an outfield crunch in 3 years and an even bigger one if the sign Markakis to anything over 2 years.
ABSOLUTELY no on Salvador Perez. If you are going to deal talent for a catcher you can look at Realmuto.
Pache will definitely be up before Waters (barring major injury). To be honest I’d be weary of signing Markakis for more than a one year deal, although I realize two years are probably what is going to happen.
But the one thing I think we all can agree on is that the Braves have a lot of young talented players in the system (especially pitchers). The future looks bright.
Sean Murphy of the A’s is the better defender and wields a bat. Realmuto has sometimes been projected to move from behind the plate.
What does Michael Reed have to do to get on a major league roster? Hit .400? My guess is that he would be an improvement over Duvall.
Duvall has had a down year…but has a proven track record of solid defense and power! Nothing against Reed, but when Duvall gets right at the plate he will be far superior to Reed!
Then again maybe Reed breaks out if given a shot! However with Acuna, Inciarte, and Markakis he is nothing more then a bench player!
Reed was called up too.
Cool.
The braves could have a really good cost controlled staff. Some of these starters I’m guessing will b converted into relievers eventually. To get there arms to the bigs. They literally have enough starting prospects to make a whole 12 man staff of them. I know they all won’t workout. But more then not the bullpen arms for every team started out as starting prospects.
It’s an embarrassment of riches for sure. Hopefully they will trade Julio in the offseason. I would like to see a rotation of: Folty, Newcomb, Gausman, Touissaint, and Wright with Wilson waiting in the wings.
What about Soroka see that’s what makes it so deep. A guy like Soroka gets hurt & no he becomes an after thought.
I wouldn’t mind Realmuto but AA gets him then you gotta believe Pache would be a part of that deal. The more I think about it the more I like Realmuto better but I don’t know if the Marlins make a deal with the Braves but I would be all in if they would be but it’s gonna cost a pretty big haul
Realmuto & Prado for Anderson, Pache, Jackson & Fuller
I think taking back Prado’s salary would help facilitate a deal & he would be a great bench piece super utility guy cause if anything out bench has been horrible all year