Atlanta Braves trade Harrell and Alvarez to Texas Rangers
Wednesday evening, the Atlanta Braves swapped two pitchers for one of the Texas Rangers’ young bats. Here is a closer look at what the Braves have gained through this deal.
The Atlanta Braves have traded starting right-handed pitcher Lucas Harrell and left-handed relief pitcher Dario Alvarez to the Texas Rangers for a promising infield prospect. The Braves may have gained a lot in the young prospect through the trade, but first, a look at what they traded.
Right-handed starter Lucas Harrell was a mid-season addition for the Braves who joined in late May and quickly worked his way from the minors to the big league. Harrell had former major league experience under both the White Sox and Astros, though he ultimately didn’t find success with either team. In his five starts for the Braves, Harrell went 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.261 WHIP.
Two months ago, the Atlanta Braves acquired Dario Alvarez from the New York Mets after being designated for assignment. Just two weeks later, when the Braves optioned Ryan Weber to Triple- A Gwinnett, they recalled Alavarez. In his first 10 appearances with the Braves, he posted a 0.93 ERA and a 3-1 record.
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Braves land Travis Demeritte
In exchange for Harrell and Alvarez, the Braves landed Travis Demeritte, a 21-year-old second baseman and right-handed hitter from Winder, GA. Not only is he a Georgia native, but he was also a first round pick by the Rangers in the 2013 MLB draft (30th overall), so naturally the Braves are excited about this acquisition…and for good reason.
VIA David O’Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
"“First rounder, local kid, so we’re fired up about it,” said Braves general manager John Coppolella, who finalized the deal Wednesday after Harrell’s six scoreless innings against the Twins on Tuesday night recharged the Rangers’ interest in the journeyman starter. “We have talked about trading pitching for hitting, and it’s a trade that does that.“Obviously he (Demeritte) is not here right now, but he’s a kid who’s moved pretty quickly. He’s 21 years old, he’s from (Georgia), he’s played very well — he actually started at second base opposite Dansby Swanson in the Futures Game. Twenty-five home runs: I don’t think anybody that’s in the Braves minor league system right now is anywhere close to that.”A first-round draft pick out of Winder-Barrow High School in 2013, Demeritte hit .272 with 25 home runs, a .352 OBP and .935 OPS in 88 games at advanced Single-A High Desert in the California League, with 41 walks and 125 strikeouts in 378 plate appearances."
Though Demeritte has mostly played second-base, Atlanta Braves general manager John Coppolella expects that they will “move him around a bit and see where he fits best.” In addition to second-base, he was drafted as a shortstop, and has also spent time in the minors at third base.
Next: Atlanta Braves: Young position players to watch for in September
All in all, the Atlanta Braves managed to land a player with a lot of promise in a position that they were in need of. Surely Harrell and Alvarez will make solid additions to the Rangers, but it’s safe to say the Braves definitely made the most of this trade and will benefit from it in the future.