Well the Braves made their first of likely a handful of notable trades this trade deadline, trading two fringey pitching prospects for Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter from the Royals. Thomas will fit the role of a platoon outfielder and pinch hitter who can hit lefty pitching well and be a plus baserunner as needed. He should have a fairly concrete, if limited role. Falter is a more interesting case, as he has at times been a serviceable fifth starter at the major league level. What makes Falter so
interesting to me is that he has what should be a really premium fastball, even sitting in the low 90s, with over 18 inches of induced vertical break and 97th percentile extension coming from the left side. The problem for him has been that he hasn’t been able to develop a remotely respectable second pitch, let alone a third or fourth pitch. That said, that fastball is one heck of a starting point and is the type of pitch that could make him an interesting option out of the bullpen very easily, especially if the Braves can work with him to find any sort of second pitch that can work at the major league level.
Braves News
The Braves traded Lucas Braun and Carter Holton to the Royals for Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter.
Reynaldo Lopez was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday last minute due to a knee injury. He is now expected to hit the IL and will get imaging done on his knee, while JR Ritchie is expected to start Sunday.
Braves’ first round pick AJ Gracia is reportedly getting season-ending surgery for a torn labrum, as he will hope to return at the beginning of next season.
Ivan took a look at the last two weeks for the Braves and the state of the team overall.
Martin Perez played hero and the offense gave him more than enough to work with in a strong 8-3 win over the Nationals.
The Braves once again DFA’d Elieser Hernandez, calling up James Karinchak in his place.
MLB News
The Mariners are reportedly considering a fire-sale and traded Luis Castillo to the White Sox.
The Pirates traded two prospects to the Yankees for veteran reliever Camilo Doval.
The Pirates will miss offensive contributor Ryan O’Hearn for the next 6-8 weeks with a quad strain.
The Orioles are listening to offers on former number 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman.
