Juan Jaime promoted to Atlanta Braves; Pedro Beato placed on disabled list

Earlier in the day, we touched on the biggest weak spot in the Atlanta Braves bullpen, but on Thursday afternoon, the team announced a move to promote right-handed relief pitcher Juan Jaime to the Major Leagues for the first time. In the corresponding move, the Braves elected to place Pedro Beato on the 15-day disabled list.

The 26-year-old Jaime has emerged as perhaps the top relief “prospect” in the system (especially with Shae Simmons already on the big league roster), and with good reason. In 26.1 innings this season, Jaime has put up a 13.67 K/9 strikeout rate, and the overall results in run prevention have been stellar with a 2.39 ERA and a 3.05 FIP. However, there is a significant concern with his control, as the hard-throwing right-hander has walked more than 6 batters per 9 in each of the past two seasons, and that has been the main reason for his lack of promotion to the bigs.

Beato has appeared in only two games since being recalled from Gwinnett earlier in the week to take the roster spot of David Carpenter, but the Braves put a great deal of work on his shoulders with nearly 3 innings and more than 60 (!) pitches on back-to-back days. It is unclear as to the actual injury for the 27-year-old right-hander, but Jaime’s upside greatly outweighs that of Beato, even if he were 100% healthy.

It remains to be seen as to the role that Jaime will play upon arrival, but he will certainly be interesting to watch, even if he isn’t the left-handed option that would be a much-needed upgrade from Luis Avilan.