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Arodys Vizcaino: Atlanta Braves’ New Closer

By John Buhler

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It didn’t take long but the Atlanta Braves are now on their third closer this season, fourth if you count Craig Kimbrel‘s Spring Training.  But after Jason Grilli‘s unfortunate Achilles’ tear against the Colorado Rockies followed a few weeks later by the head-scratching deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Miami Marlins that included RHP Jim Johnson, the Atlanta Braves turn to rookie RHP Arodys Vizcaino as the team’s closer for the rest of the 2015 Campaign.  How will Arodys Vizcaino perform and could he become the Atlanta Braves’ closer of the future?

-= Atlanta Braves Complete 3 Team Trade With Dodgers, Marlins =-

The 24-year old right-hander from the Dominican Republic has a powerful fastball, a hard-biting breaking ball, and an effective change-up.  This is his second stint in the Atlanta Braves organization, briefly spending some time with the Chicago Cubs only to return in the Tommy La Stella deal this past offseason.  With three plus pitches, Arodys Vizcaino has the makeup of an MLB closer.

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    • Many feel that Vizcaino would have been a major contributor to a big league roster sooner if not for a few major setbacks.  Arodys Vizcaino missed the better part of two seasons after undergoing Tommy John Surgery (2012-13).  He also served an 80-game PED suspension before the start of this season.

    I hope that Arodys Vizcaino learns from his mistakes and has a long and healthy career for the Atlanta Braves.  In 10 games for the Atlanta Braves this season, Vizcaino has pitched 9 innings, allowing 6 hits and one earned run.  Has he shown a proclivity to being effectively wild with 3 wild pitches and 4 walks, albeit 2 were intentional.  But Arodys Vizcaino has 8 strikeouts, a 1.00 ERA, a 1.111 WHIP, and an impressive 390 ERA+ so far for the 2015 Atlanta Braves.

    Though many expect Vizcaino to fill the closer role, he might actually have a slight platoon with it as LHP Andrew McKirahan has pitched great since coming back from a PED suspension shortly after coming over from the Miami Marlins prior to the start of the season.  So expect McKirahan to have a few opportunities against primarily left-handed lineups in late innings of close games.

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    It would surprise me to see Arodys Vizcaino and Andrew McKirahan to work in tandem as our new setup men and closers.  Though we do lose veterans like Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan to the LA Dodgers, they’ve really been the two relievers that have struggled the most in recent weeks.  McKirahan and Vizcaino have done solid work since returning from their 80-game suspensions.  It makes you wonder how the bullpen would have performed if both were in it during that abysmal stretch in late May and early June.

    Though I don’t expect a ton of save situations for the reeling Atlanta Braves in the final two months of the 2015 season, I would definitely keep a close eye on these two relievers as they might stand as major focal points in future Braves’ relief corps.

    I know it stinks that we’re losing guys seemingly every day to trades with contending teams for raw pitching prospects.  But we as Braves Country have to appreciate the little things with our rebuilding team.  Nick Markakis can hit and play great defense, Andrelton Simmons is a world-class defensive shortstop, and Freddie Freeman is a star in our game.  Cameron Maybin has had his best season as a professional for us, Eury Perez is showing promise in leftfield, Pedro Ciriaco has been the best bench player the Atlanta Braves have had since Omar Infante.

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    If you look at our pitching staff, Shelby Miller has had a great year mired by a lack of run support, Matt Wisler looks like a Top 2 starter in our rotation for years to come, Mike Foltynewicz seems like he’s learning how to pitch and not throw.  The 2015 Atlanta Braves will likely finish below .500, but there is light amidst this time of darkness.  2017 isn’t that far away.  If the Houston Astros can contend in three years time, so can our Atlanta Braves.  Have patience and hope the revamped farm system produces some future stars for us.  If you don’t feel like waiting, at least the Atlanta Hawks are a great basketball team and football season is upon us.

    Next: Julio Teheran Being Shopped by Atlanta Braves?

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