Atlanta Braves optioned Aaron Blair, Lucas Sims and Matt Wisler to Gwinnett

Braves option three pitchers to Gwinnett

The Atlanta Braves announced on Saturday morning that they will be sending three right-handed pitchers to the Gwinnett Stripers.  Lucas Sims, Aaron Blair and Matt Wisler all got the call that they will not be making the Opening Day starting roster in 2018.

All three of these pitchers were once top 100 prospects in the game, but have struggled within the past few years and in the 2018 Spring Training.

Wisler actually looked like he found something in the offseason over his first three appearances, but then came his next three appearances.  In his finally showing of the 2018 Spring Training, on Friday, he gave up six hits, one walk and seven runs WITHOUT getting an out.  Pretty sure they told him right after this outing he’d be going to Gwinnett.

The stats for Blair in his five appearances this spring, weren’t too bad.  He had one bad outing on March 16th — giving up four hits, two walks and three runs to the Pirates.  Other than that, he’s been okay.

I’m just thinking the Braves are almost over the Wisler and Blair experiments.  It may be best for them both to have a new scenery.

The Braves 2012 1st round pick, Lucas Sims, didn’t have a great spring at all.  The 23-year-old got hit hard by multiple teams in his six appearances this spring.  I still think the talent is there, he just needs to go back to Gwinnett and find something.  One negative to Sims is that we’ve got these young pitchers coming.  He better step it up or he’s going to be overlooked quickly.

2018 Spring Training stats for the three players

Aaron Blair – 8.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 10 hit, 4 runs, 5 walks, 4 strikeouts

Matt Wisler – 13.1 IP, 8.10 ERA, 20 hits, 12 runs, 3 walks, 9 strikeout

Lucas Sims – 13.1 IP, 10.13 ERA, 18 hits, 15 runs, 10 walks, 9 strikeouts

Next: Luiz Gohara progressing well, could return sooner

The Braves still need to make some decisions about their bullpen.  Will they go out of house and sign a relief pitcher?  Does Alex Anthopoulos think he has enough arms on the roster already?  That’s TBD, but we should be hearing news soon as the season starts next Thursday.

Braves could send Scott Kazmir to the bullpen until they need a fifth starting pitcher on April 11th.

Shane Carle’s hopes of making the team is also improving.  I’m also seeing Rex Brothers name being placed in the bullpen.  Not sure I’m too excited about that.

The eight arms I’m thinking in the bullpen would be…

RHP Arodys Vizcaino

LHP A.J. Minter

RHP Peter Moylan

LHP Sam Freeman

RHP Jose Ramirez

RHP Dan Winkler

LHP Scott Kazmir

RHP Shane Carle