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Atlanta Braves Add Minor League Righty Karl Triana

By Fred Owens

Jul 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of MLB baseballs on the field before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of MLB baseballs on the field before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The WBC For Me

You see Triana was a member of the Colombian team for the World Baseball Classic. In a qualifying round last March he threw six no-hit innings against Panama, striking out eight and walking one to notch the win.

He made one appearance throwing three shutout innings against the WBC favorite Dominicans allowing four hits, walking one and striking out one. I don;t think it’s a stretch to say that a good word may have been dropped by fellow Colombian Julio Teheran upon his return to Braves camp. If a guy can’t do a solid for a fellow  Cartagenian (?) (they’re both from Cartagena so I guess that works) what the world coming to?

If you speak the language here’s an interview he did after finding out he’d become a member of the Braves

Pitches?

I have no solid information on his pitches or how he uses them but the early video showed a sinker and a curve out of a low 3/4 slot. He has a simple repeatable motion except when he tries to force his pitches.

The four seamer he threw in 2012 got crushed up in the zone. I have no speed gun but that indicates he doesn’t have much giddyup on the heater or at least not enough to live up top.

The hook isn’t big but it looked effective and he throws something I suspect is supposed to be a slider but looks like a slurve and wasn’t as effective in the early videos as the curve.

Against Panama he finished more towards first base and it appeared he had better results with the slider/slurve working low in the zone. His eight Ks that night were more than double his k/9 numbers. Perhaps he has better luck against hitters who aren’t looking for a fastball and ignoring everything else or with umpires that call strikes for him.  – Ben will no doubt correct my errors here –
Against Panama he finished more towards first base and it appeared he had better results with the slider/slurve working low in the zone. His eight Ks that night were more than double his k/9 numbers. Perhaps he has better luck against hitters who aren’t looking for a fastball and ignoring everything else or with umpires that call strikes for him.  – Ben will no doubt correct my errors here – /

That’s A Wrap

I’d say Triana has his work cut out for him if he wants to stick around affiliated ball. The Braves will likely start him no higher A+ ball and as strong as our lower level pitching is, he’ll have a fight on his hands for a rotation spot.

Next: Dat Dude BP For Me

He reminds me a bit of Juan Cruz though Cruz’ delivery was more violent and he had a little more hop on his heater.  Time will tell if he can seize this opportunity and make his way to the show.

This looks like the Braves showing respect to their number one starter and it’s quite right that they do. There’s no significant cost to this addition and Julio knows a thing or two about pitching.  If he sees something in Triana it’s probably there and worth a closer look.

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