Darius Vines Introduces Himself To Braves Nation With A Commanding Quality Start Win at Coors Field

MLBbro hurler Darius Vines made his Major League debut for the Atlanta Braves in “Mile High” Denver, Colorado Wednesday night, becoming their franchise record-tying 16th different pitcher to start a game this season. 

The 25-year-old Vines looked to make a lasting impression in his first audition for a possible spot on Atlanta’s playoff roster.

 

 

Darius Vines Dominates Rockies In MLB Debut 

 

Vines didn’t disappoint.

 

He was poised from the first inning and when he hit the showers, the rookie had a quality start debut fit-for-framing; 6 innings, two earned runs, four hits, five K’s.

The outing was good enough to secure a 7-3 Atlanta Braves win.

 

 

First impressions matter and for Vines, the Braves No. 10 prospect, performing well in the toughest pitcher’s park in the Majors (Coors Field) definitely turned a few heads in the front office of a team that has World Series ambitions but glaring holes in its pitching staff.

 

 

“I enjoyed watching him in the intersquad games during the Covid year,” Braves manager Brian Sniker told reporters Monday when Vines was called up from Triple-A Monday night in order to push back the top of their rotation to line up for this weekend’s series against the Dodgers.

 

“He had a rough start with some injuries, but he has been throwing the ball really well.  I loved his stuff in Spring Training. He had a feel for his changeup and he looked like he had a lot of pitchability. “

Sniker had to be beside himself with joy while watching Vines’ debut performance. Vines flexed an array of pitches, was confident in his stuff and his only mistake was giving up an RBI single to Ezequiel Tovar in the bottom of the third inning. After that, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound melanated mound marauder was lights out before surrendering one late.

 

Who Is Darius Vines? 

 

Vines, an alum of California high school powerhouse St. Bonaventure, grew up in Oxnard, Ca. and has two siblings. Vines attended California State University in Bakersfield, CA, the hometown of fellow AAA pitcher Allan Winans before being drafted three different times; in the 32nd round by the Astros in 2016, the Chicago Cubs in 2017 and finally the Braves in 2019.

 

 

Another Homegrown MLBbro Star For Atlanta Braves?

 

In his final start for the Gwinnett Stripers last week, he allowed just two runs on four hits in seven innings while striking out five and walking none.

That start was one of many that had Atlanta optimistic that Vines could be another homegrown star in their farm system. An MLBbro pitcher to match the magnificence of starting centerfielder Money Michael Harris. 

 

Vines had a 2.86 ERA in 28 innings with a 1.11 WHIP and 25 strikeouts for the Stripers this season.

 

Scouts say he is a pitcher that will “throw the kitchen sink” at hitters with a plus changeup and fastball that tops out at 95mph.

His debut performance definitely gives the Braves something to think about as they begin to settle on arms for the playoffs.