James Russell Released And the Spring Training Market
By Fred Owens
Feb 23, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Brady Feigl catches a batted ball during spring training workouts at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Russell’s gone what now?
As odd as it may sound after his awful 2014, Luis Avilan is now the leading lefty in the pen. The Braves already sent Manny Banuelos to the minor league camp and Josh Outman’s performance is nothing to cheer about. Bowman opined Saturday that Outman could be on the way out man (sorry couldn’t resist) so where do the Braves look for the next lefty? The answer could be Brady Feigl who has pitched very well this spring but he’s young and has only 65 2/3 IP in professional ball.
Brady Feigl
Feigl signed as an undrafted free agent after graduating from Mount St Mary’s University in 2014. In three years on the Mount St Mary’s team (he missed 2011 with a torn labrum) pitched as a both as a starter and in relief, mostly starting his last two seasons. He compiled 7-15 record with a 6.55 ERA and a 1.757 WHIP in 159 1/3 innings in that three year period featuring an 88-89 MPH fastball that he’s pumped up to the low 90’s in relief.
Atlanta Braves
Bill Shanks reported earlier this year that after joining the Braves Feigl started to pitch to more to contact and while he struggled a bit at Rome his promotion to Lynchburg saw him pitch to a 2.05 ERA in his 22IP; overall Lefties hit just .207 off him last year. After sending him to minor league camp the Braves brought him back for at least one spot appearance but whether they would hand him a spot based on that small sample is a question that will be answered this week.