Braves Acquiring AAA RHP Robinson from Astros

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith via Sportsnet.ca, the Braves are in the process of acquiring right-handed relief pitch Andrew Robinson (twitter: @ARob2627) from the Houston Astros.  No information to this point on terms of the deal.

Here’s what we know about Robinson:  he’s 26 years old, 6’1″/185, and was recently (as in “June 14th”) added to the roster of the Oklahoma City RedHawks – AAA affiliate of the Astros.  That AAA stint was interrupted briefly so that he could participate in the AA All-Star Game as a representative of his prior club, the Corpus Christi Hooks.  In 2009, the Georgia Tech website described him in this way:

Talented right-handed pitcher that possesses a live fastball in addition to a good slider and changeup … A key component to the Yellow Jacket bullpen over the last three seasons … Georgia Tech’s top returning long relief pitcher

Robinson has pitched well this year in the minors:  1.89 ERA at AA before the promotion… 4.50 ERA in limited action at AAA. He has had very good control over the past couple of years, and his strikeouts has been consistent at nearly one per inning.  He was a 12th round pick (363rd overall) of the Astros in 2010 out of Georgia Tech, so if you’re wondering why the Braves picked on this guy, I think we now have the reason.  He is indeed a native son – born in Senoia, GA and graduating from Starr’s Mill HS in Fayetteville, GA.

Andrew Robinson (via http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/041710aaa.html)

The next question, of course, is “why”? Couple of possibilities… feel free to speculate along with me:

• Injury/Depth replacement.  Pedro Beato is hurt.  Mark Lamm is hurt.  Luis Perez, Zach Stewart, Ian Thomas, and Luis Vasquez are all on the DL as well.  Andrew Russell was recently released.  Clearly Gwinnett needs some help – and that’s the most likely reason to add Robinson.
• Lack of confidence in other options that might be called up to help in the majors.  Possible, but Juan Jaime pitched well and David Carpenter is now back, so this is less likely.
• Might be a real option for down the road.  Possible – though I’m pretty sure that Braves will want to see how he does (likely at AAA) first.
• Depth precursor as a set-up for a future trade.  I throw that in to fill out the chart, but I doubt that’s the case here.

We welcome in Andrew Robinson:  newest arm in the Braves organization!