The Braves announced that they’ve designated left-hander Jesse Biddle for assignment on Wednesday and placed center fielder Ender Inciarte on the 10-day injured list due to a lumbar strain. Biddle’s 40-man roster spot will go to top prospect Austin Riley, whose previously reported promotion has now been made official. Atlanta also recalled Touki Toussaint from Triple-A Gwinnett to round out tonight’s series of roster moves.
Biddle, 27, gave the Braves 63 2/3 innings of 3.11 ERA ball with 9.5 K/9, 4.4 BB/9, 0.85 HR/9 and a 55.6 percent ground-ball rate in 2018, but virtually nothing has gone right for the southpaw so far in 2019. Through 15 appearances and a span of 11 2/3 frames, Biddle has served up seven earned runs (and another four unearned runs) on 18 hits and 10 walks with 11 strikeouts. As I noted last week, Biddle’s struggles were compounded by the fact that he’s out of minor league options, thus preventing the Braves from merely optioning him to Gwinnett to sort things out. Given the team’s win-now status, a move of this nature felt almost inevitable.
Given last season’s success and the fact that he’s a lefty who still pumps fastballs at an average of 94.1 mph, it’s possible that another club will take a run at correcting the control issues that have torpedoes Biddle’s season. Hard-throwing lefties in their mid-20s that have had some degree of MLB success are hard to come by, after all, and if a team can straighten Biddle out he’d be controllable all the way through the 2023 season.
As for the other moves, Riley will step into left field with Ronald Acuna Jr. shifting into center field in place of Inciarte. The 22-year-old Riley had already slugged a ridiculous 15 home runs on the season and has more broadly been one of the best hitters in all of minor league baseball. He’ll likely get some work at his natural position, third base, on days when Josh Donaldson gets a breather.
Drafted all these pitchers. Not even one is an Ace
Fried and/or soroka not looking so shabby?
Soraka looked solid tonight. 7 innings of 3 hit ball.
A little premature to expect any of them to become aces. Glavine and Smoltz sure didn’t look too good in their rookie seasons.
90+% of pitchers sure don’t become Glavine or Smoltz either. Stop with this stupid argument.
Well it’s not as stupid as thinking that you think you can predict the trajectory of a major league career by the numbers these kids put up in 6-7 weeks.
Actually, you can given that most pitchers end up being average.
allourgods does troll but I’ll have to agree with the no more Glavine/Smoltz argument…that was 25 years ago, let it go everyone!
Why? Its a historical reference that every fan of every team has used to describe rookies. They may not be Glavine or Smoltz, they might even turn out to be better than them. But to say none of the draftees have panned out or are average at best is woefully premature and rather naive of AllOurGods.
that’s an anomaly that’s happened once…let it go! it will never happe again especially with this regime…move on!
I’ve seen absolutely nothing from Wright, Touki, Anderson to think they will end up in the same class as Smoltz and Glavine. Maybe if they learn to throw strikes, we can start to talk. Hopefully, they will trade them before their value drops like Newcomb’s and Faultys.
Glavine walked more than he struck out in his rookie season. And it wasn’t particularly close. Anderson is still in the minors and you’re writing him off? Seems silly.
How can you say you’ve seen nothing from Anderson when he hasn’t pitched in a big league game? He is a stud, all our God’s is just a troll
How can you say you’ve seen everything from Anderson when he hasn’t pitched in a big league game?
Soroka? He’s looking pretty good.
nope not yet… Biddle I think came from Reds waivers claim wasnt he? not sure
Pirates
that’s it, thank you
Idk man. Some are looking pretty good and show some of that stuff we have been waiting for. I think the problem is, we are experiencing the growing pains of these young guys as they continue to figure out what their place is and how to pitch at this level. Experience is important and our patience will be key. There are a ton more in the pipeline that are progressing through the minors at a slower (prob better) pace, and I have a feeling we will be rewarded in the long run
To whom are you referring? Biddle was drafted by Philly, and a reliever, so hard to define a reliever as an ace.
Patience! Soroka looks like the truth and Anderson is still really highly rated. Wright is expected to have a bright future also. The only top pitching picks that look like duds are Allard and Carter Stewart (but that’s a whole different situation).
Biddle was claimed off waivers
There’s this kid named Mike Soroka you may want to look up.
and traded for them
Can’t wait to watch Touki walk at least 5 men. Riley to strike out at least 2 times.
Can’t wait for you to stop trolling.
is it trolling if it is true?
No, it’s trolling when every single thing you say is negative, even if there is no evidence to back your claims.
^exactly. maybe the gods have only have abandoned you
The team is terrible. They deserve no praise. Maybe once this organization decides winning is an option, the negativity will drop accordingly.
To call this team terrible is just flat out incorrect and quite frankly, ignorant.
They’re a solid team, with a great young core that’s working through some early injuries and pitching struggles.
If the team is so unwatchable and bad, go watch and “root for” someone else.
Riley just went yard. Where you at troll?
lmao
Get him on the Jays!
Thank God! Dfa’ing Blevins is a head scratcher still though..
Finally walk-a-diddle Biddle is gone.
Gotta believe he would get picked up by Nationals or Angels
I’d like the see St. Louis take a flyer on this guy, their second lefty is Tyler Webb. Do it before he even leaves St. Louis today!
They’re in Atlanta
Me too. Go Cubs!
I feel bad for Biddle. Had a decent year last year but far from that this year.
Pathetic
The Phillies should pick him back up. Their thought process is if a local prep school kid is available he’s got to be good.
Braves sending that Trojan Horse to get back the division lead
Good eye
clever. I like it.
shhhhhh MJ, you’ll ruin the grand scheme
if we didnt have the depth we have. we have plenty of solid arms at AAA on the 40 man. unless its along with getting rid of a Hunter, an Anderson or an Alvarez type.
At what point does ATL jump the market and go after either Smith or Watson in SF? Get one of them in sooner because later the price might be even higher particularly after the 1st of them gets moved. Neither make significant $ and SF likely will be happy to send $ along to get the right piece(s) in return. Maybe Biddle can be a piece in return
I think smith would be an awesome pick up. He’s a local guy. In fact, I faced him growing up, by far the toughest pitcher I ever face. Then again, I wasn’t the best hitter lol
On another note, you’re absolutely right. We need to either start moving some of the prospects to the bullpen now, or we need to trade/sign a piece or two.
Braves pitching staff: ‘Hold my beer, watch this’….
well said. so far I can’t argue with this point outside of a couple of them.
‘given the Braves win-now status’… bwahahaha really?!?! Come on’ Steve! that’s being a tad overzealous with what the Braves have done…. this was a ‘well crap, now what?!’ move
Folty, Ender, Biddle, Donaldson, and Allard for….??
Before you get your knickers in a wad, just assume Riley and Duvall were duplicating their current successes at the major league level and never look back..
I know there’s a lot of sell low candidates here, but just having some fun.
good luck chippahawk lol….the way too literal commentors are about to attack you haha
Lol fun-haters…
Folty, ender, and Allard/newk is an enticing package to bring back some actual needs.
I would like to see the Pirates give a Biddle a chance.
With Brault,Kingham,and Feliz on their ML roster,it would not be a step down.
If you like heavy whip and high blood pressure, biddle the ol fiddle is your man!
woah he allowed 10 walks in an 11.1 inning stretch! he must be a washup! career over!
Some of you guys need to remember that seasons are 162 games long…
Welllll, if you’re consistently not doing your part for the team and costing W’s; there comes a time when it’s “put up or take a seat..” Thats just reality and nobody can say he or Ender have not got more than enough chances even though their hearts are fully in it..
During a rebuild its fine to give these on-going opportunities night in and night out, but when there’s a chance to win the division/wildcard, your rope of patience just has to be shorter plain and simple..
Every single game matters, especially when your expectations as a postseason contender are coming to fruition after a mega franchise rebuild. Series need to be won, balls have to be put in play, bunts have to be put down for gained momentum instead of K’s, and walks need to be ultimately very limited especially late in the game!
Nobody is tearing the cover off the ball so the little things have to be executed..
93 pitches and our manager pulls Soroka, we have a world class moron both in the dugout and in the front office
I guess at least he couldn’t put in biddle at any point. so there is that.
That’s the nature of today’s baseball…Plus, Soroka is coming off an injury recently, and he’s still just 21..
I highly doubt you see Soroka throw more than 105 pitches in his next 4-5 starts, if not more..
Right now, with how the rest of the Braves guys are pitching, I’d rather them be overly cautious..
Amazing what a shut down #1 can come in and do the night after what some have continuously referred to as a “supposed” ace..
Foltys a born flame-thrower and future set up man or closer if he ever maintains the confidence that escapes him with every big inning or homerun.. Other than that he’s a 3 or 4 starter at best who can surprise or disappoint just like his track record speaks. He can throw a no-hitter or give up 9 in 4 from start to start, that does not nor has never defined an ace or #2 on a winning team.
At minimum; he’s somewhat injured or currently has lost any self-confidence and trying to over power major league hitters with plain ol velo combined with offspeed spinners/cement mixers.. I’m rooting for ya folty, but ya gotta regain that bulldog mentality of yesteryear!
He’s always been a bit of a headcase on the mound…Right now, I’m hoping he’s just working through what would have been his spring training rust..We shall see though..
I wouldn’t be surprised if someone grabbed Biddle. The control’s an obvious problem, but he’s riding a BABIP over 400. Based on that, his success last year and his velocity, I’m sure he’s going to get another shot elsewhere. The lack of minor league options complicates things a bit though.
yeah the lack of minor league options is why the Braves gave him 10k walks…I mean 10k chances. Seriously he’s got good stuff but I think he’s just in his head right now
The Braves would be wise to deal now with San Fransisco, they are due for a total breakup next season. They are getting old ( key position players/starting pitching ) and will have a new manager. The Giants need some youth and Atlanta has starters in the minors and Ender and/or Duvall they could move. now.
I’m assuming management is serious about 2019 still ?