Atlanta Braves: How Matt Wisler is becoming a better pitcher
The Atlanta Braves have a bevy of young arms in their starting rotation and in their farm system. Many of them have already made an impact on the major league level or will contend to in the next couple of years. One of those pitchers who is having a great start to the season is Matt Wisler.
Wisler is becoming a one of the better pitchers that the Atlanta Braves have on their starting rotation. Wisler was acquired in the trade that sent Melvin Upton Jr. and Craig Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Cameron Maybin, Carlos Quentin and Jordan Paroubeck. He spent last season becoming acclimated to the big leagues after being a top prospect.
The Atlanta Braves have not had a good season so far, but Wisler has been one of their few bright spots. He has gelled well with the veterans on the team and learned how to work the pitches in his arsenal to his favor. There are a couple of key differences that show how Wisler has progressed from last season to this.
Combining off speed pitches
Wisler has had a very good month of May for the Atlanta Braves. In four of his previous starts in May, Wisler has a 1.80 ERA combined with only six walkouts and 20 strikeouts. That is over a 30 inning period.
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That is a vast improvement from his record last year and adjusting to major league hitting.
Wisler has many pitches in his bag and can use them at different times to get hitters out. When he is able to locate his fastball which hovers around 93 to 95, Wisler uses his breaking ball to catch hitters off guard.
He also throws a curve ball that is downright unfair to hitters looking for the other pitches.
The Impact of Tyler Flowers
At the end of last season, the Atlanta Braves signed former draft pick Tyler Flowers as a free agent. Flowers had spent the past couple of seasons with the Chicago White Sox.
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At the time, the Braves did not know what they would be getting out of Flowers at the plate and how he would affect the young pitching staff.
Flowers has helped Wisler make timely pitches and use more of his off-speed pitches. Flowers is also able to communicate with Wisler better and see how he likes to pitch to batters.
If Flowers and Wisler are on the same page, they form a dynamic duo who will give the Braves a chance in games that they normally would not.
Understanding His Role
Last season, Matt Wisler did not know how the team wanted to use his talent. This year is different. Wisler knows that the team can use him as the second pitcher in the rotation behind Julio Teheran.
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If Matt Wisler continues to gain confidence in his pitching and makes strides in developing his control and off-speed pitches, he can be the next in line of great Braves pitchers.