The Atlanta Braves promoted top pitching prospect Matt Wisler from Triple-A Gwinnett Thursday night after their series finale loss to the Boston Red Sox. The Braves optioned right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon back to Gwinnett. Friday night against the first place New York Mets, Wisler will make his major league debut in the first game of a three-game home weekend series.
This roster move comes several days after Atlanta demoted rookie right-hander Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 5.19 ERA) to Triple-A after struggling mightily in three June starts where he posted an ERA of 8.04.
MLB.com rates Wisler as the Braves No. 2 prospect and No. 59 overall prospect in Major League baseball. Wisler, 22, has a five pitch mix that features a four-seam fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s, a two-seam fastball with sink, a plus-slider, a slow curveball and an average changeup.
When the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres pulled off a blockbuster deal a day before the season started, that featured Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr., Matt Wisler was the main piece the Braves received.
Wisler has had an up and down season at Gwinnett. In 12 starts he holds a record of 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA, as well as 49 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched. After a rough outing last week against Triple-A Indianapolis where he allowed seven runs in 3.2 innings, Wisler posted an ERA of 1.96 in his last nine starts, including an outing where he pitched 8.1 shutout innings where he struck out seven batters.
“I’m not married to (Wisler) staying here,” said Braves president of baseball operations John Hart. “I’m not worried if I have to send him back. Because we will have information, (the young pitchers) will have more information. Johnny Sain always said it best – they’re always better the second time they come up.”