Atlanta Braves Add Another Reliver Acquiring LHP Taylor Hearn From Texas
The stove continues to heat up as the Atlanta Braves make another move for a relief pitcher to bolster their ailing bullpen.
Eric told you about The Atlanta Braves trade for Pierce Johnson earlier today. The club continued to bolster its overworked bullpen ravaged by injuries to key arms by adding another reliever, lefty Taylor Hearn.
The Pirates selected Hearn in the 22nd round of the 2102 draft, the Reds tried to sign him after selecting him in the 36th round in 2013, and in 2014, the Twins selected him, but he once again chose not to sign.
Welcome to Atlanta, Taylor! pic.twitter.com/tKfKwWUtwv
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 24, 2023
The Nationals selected him in the fifth round of the 2015 Rule 4 draft and convinced the 6’6 198 pound lefty to sign. The Nats traded him to the Pirates for Mark Melancon in 2016; the Bucs traded him to Texas for Keone Kela a year later.
The Braves acquired Hearn for Cash considerations and designated righty Derek Rodriguez to open a 40-man slot for Hearn.
Hearn’s Early years
Hearn made his Major League debut in 2019 but suffered an elbow injury that ended his season. He avoided surgery and returned to Texas as a reliever in 2020, tossing 17 1/3 innings over 14 games, striking out 23 and walking 14 while pitching to a 3.63 ERA.
His work in 2020 earned him a spot in the Rangers pen in 2021. He began the season as a reliever but eventually joined the rotation. On the season, Hearn threw 104+ innings over 42 games, including 11 starts, striking out 92 and walking 42 while pitching to a 4.66 ERA.
The Rangers gave Hearn a spot in the rotation to open the season but, after throwing only 59 innings in 13 starts, they moved him back to the pen. He was significantly more effective as a reliever, throwing 41 innings over 18 appearances, striking out 43, walking 15, and picking up one save while pitching to a 3.51 ERA.
Taylor Hearn had stretches of dominance in 2022
2022 and 2023
Hearn opened the season with Texas with three clean innings in his first two games, but the Cubs mauled him for four runs on five hits in his next outing. When the Royals did the same four days later, the Rangers sent him back to AAA.
Since returning to Round Rock, Hearn’s pitched to a 3.66 ERA in 39 1/3 innings over 24 games, striking out 54 and walking 24. On July 19, the Rangers designated him for assignment in favor of Alex Speas.
Why the Atlanta Braves Acquired Hearn
The loss of Dylan Lee and A.J. Minter left Lucas Luetge as the only available lefty. Luetge never found last year’s form and hasn’t pitched well. Luetge was designated for assignment today after Pierce Johnson was acquired from the Rockies.
Hearn relies on a 95 mph, four–seam fastball and an 87 mph slider. While his K-rate was close to last year’s, his walk rate increased. While his fastball still had a 23.5% WHIFF% rate, he left it over the plate too often, and batters hit it at a .462 clip.
The good news is Hearn’s AAA pitching plus numbers look much better:
- Stuff +: 116.3
- Location +: 97.1
- Pitching + 97.5
It’s harder for pitchers with long levers like Hearn to consistently repeat their mechanics, but the Atlanta Braves believe they can help him do that and turn that fastball.
That’s a Wrap
Dylan Lee is on a rehab assignment, but even after he returns, the Braves need another lefty. Hearn is a potential answer for that role, and you might see Justus Sheffield get a shot in the bullpen as well.
I expect Alex Anthopoulos to make more moves as teams make players on their Major League roster available. When he does, we’ll post a note on the front door of The House That Hank Built.