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Atlanta Braves Bolster Pitching Depth Add Joe Wieland

By Fred Owens

Sep 9, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Joe Wieland (31) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Joe Wieland (31) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 6, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Wieland (45) during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Milwaukee won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Wieland (45) during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Milwaukee won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Repertoire

According to Brooks Baseball Wieland “ has relied primarily on his fourseam fastball (92mph), change using a circle-change grip (87mph) and a curve using a knuckle-curve grip (76mph). He also rarely throws a Sinker (93mph).”

Texas Leaguers says he’s thrown just a fastball, curve and change all of which have spin rates below major league average.

Fastball Knuckle Curve Change
MLB AVG 2226 2280 1746
Wieland 2090 1494 1523

That doesn’t mean they won’t work at the major league level only that the movement isn’t as pronounced.

That’s A Wrap

Wieland will be assigned to Gwinnett and unlike Josh Collmenter who the Braves also acquired today, will not require a 40 man roster spot.  if you’re wondering why grab to starters with less than two dozen games left the answer is depth.

Willians Perez is done for the year, Mike Foltynewicz is day-to-day with that liner off his calf, Joel De La Cruz is essentially a long man as is Ryan Weber. One more injury could cause a pitching dilemma that these players will mitigate.

Next: Welcome Josh

I was asked about the effect of these additions on the 40 man roster; there is none, both players are free agents after the season. Wieland was outrighted off the roster once already is a rule 55 free agent as soon as the World Series is over.

Stay tuned here at the Take for info on the latest moves.

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