If the league-leading Atlanta Braves have any vulnerability throughout their roster (Checking notes… still own the best record in the majors!), it would be the lack of flexibility and depth in the bullpen.
The front office, led by Alex Anthopoulos, didn’t wait until the hoopla of the MLB trade deadline to make a move; they brought in an MLBbro lefty for the stretch run right now, making a deal to acquire versatile hurler Taylor Hearn from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations earlier this week.
This trade could be a beneficial situation for both sides.
Pros For Atlanta:
The Braves obtain a durable left-handed pitcher that is capable of going four to five innings in a relief or starting role.
Hearn’s contract is financially friendly for the Braves. Even though our MLBbro will get some opportunities on the mound, this is a low risk-high reward situation with the option of sending Hearn to Triple A Gwinnett.
The Braves can also keep him through arbitration next season.
The coaching staff has time to develop an arm that is fresh. Hearn fell out of Texas’ rotation after pitching just seven innings in four appearances. In 2022, he pitched 100 innings and 104.1 in 2021.
Pros For Taylor Hearn:
A change of scenery can resurrect a career and our MLBbro has a golden opportunity to audition for a role with what is considered one of the top pitching staffs in MLB.
Atlanta Braves Facing Injuries In The Bullpen
The Atlanta Braves probably will be one of the few teams to punch their ticket to the postseason early, while others will be scratching for wildcard spots in the month of September. With the Braves sitting on top of the baseball world with a 64-36 record (as of July 28), it would be easy for the team to rest on their laurels and focus on keeping their players, particularly those arms on the pitching staff, off the IL.
The injuries have been piling up and that’s not a good sign, because in baseball the team that is most healthy come October, usually prevails.
Check out some of the Atlanta relievers that are currently on the 60-day IL…
Nick Anderson out with a right shoulder strain.
Dylan Lee on the shelf with left shoulder inflammation.
Jesse Chavez is suffering from a bruised left shin.
A.J. Minter is dealing with his own bout of shoulder inflammation; however, he’s scheduled for a minor-league rehab assignment.
Hearn Allows Braves To Rest Other Arms If They Clinch Early
With Atlanta having a double-digit game lead over second-place Philadelphia Phillies, Hearn has time to find his rhythm while not being in a pressure cooker environment to make the playoffs. If our Hearn can put together a string of impressive performances, it would bode well for a future with one of the 30 MLB teams.
In addition to Taylor Hearn's power arm and ability to go multiple innings or even start, the fact that he has options was crucial for the #Braves, who needed another lefty with roster flexibility given the injuries and out-of-options status of others on their staff.
Before being designated for assignment on July 19th, Hearn was optioned to Triple A Round Rock on April 13th. In 24 outings, including two starts, Hearn had a solid 2-2 record with a 3.66 ERA. He was used in starter and reliever roles during his tenure with the Rangers. But taking a closer look at our MLBbro’s success on the mound, his efforts as a reliever are much better.
According to Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors notes, Hearn’s ERA as a reliever stands at 3.94. As a starter, it skyrockets to 6.36. He leaves Texas with a 12-15 record and a 5.11 ERA in five seasons after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Keone Kela.
Rachel Hill goes “First To Third” on the community endeavors of new Atlanta Braves relief pitcher MLBbro Taylor Hearn, who was very active in the Texas community as a member of the Rangers.
Alex Speas, Grant Anderson and Taylor Hearn are all experiencing rollercoaster journeys to begin their Big League careers.
The Texas Rangers shuffled some cards in their bullpen this week by calling up Alex Speas, designating Taylor Hearn for Assignment and demoting Grant Anderson to Triple-A.
Led by three-time World Series winning manager Bruce Bochy and a starting lineup consisting of five All-Star starters highlighted by the half a billion-dollar middle infield combination of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, the first place Rangers have been one of the biggest surprises in the Majors.
Coming into Sunday, their division lead over Houston sat at three games.
Entering the season most thought earning a Wild Card berth would be the best-case scenario for the club and would take a lead of that size to the bank, but it could actually be larger if not for a bullpen that has the fourth highest ERA in the Majors.
The group has had its highs and lows this year and when all is said and done, will be the difference in the team’s ability to make a long playoff run. Here is a spotlight on their three MLBbros options at their disposal.
Alex Speas
The last few years have been a whirlwind for Alex Speas who made his Major League debut this past Wednesday against Tampa Bay, striking out three in 1 ⅓ innings just a year after retiring from the game to go coach youth baseball in North Carolina.
“Going out and doing my job was the only thing on my mind,” Speas told MLBbro.com when asked his mindset when debuting against one of the American Leagues top teams.
“Coming into this moment, I know the team is hot so my goal when I got up here is to do anything to help the team win. You have All-Stars behind you at just about every position, so have trust in them and myself and let whatever happens, happen.”
Speas, who has a 100-mph fastball and plus rated slider surged through the minors with some impressive numbers.
In 28 appearances he had a 1.00 ERA, 59 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 36 innings.
Speas did struggle with command in his second Big League appearance, taking the loss in last Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He earned the loss after allowing three walks, including walking in the go-ahead run, allowing two earned runs on one hit while not recording a single out before exiting the game.
If Speas is on top of his game, he could be the bridge to get the ball to flame thrower Aroldis Chapman in the 9th during their playoff run, but he must avoid the struggles in command he had this weekend.
Grant Anderson
Rookie reliever Grant Anderson was sent down to Triple-A Round Rock after the team’s loss to the Dodgers Friday night for pitch count issues according to manager Bruce Bochy.
Anderson threw 51 pitches in the game after being forced to get a few extra outs in order to conserve the bullpen for the weekend.
“Execution wise I was not at my best that day.” Anderson told MLBbro.com after finishing with a stat line of 1.2 innings allowing four runs on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
Anderson has had success during most of first month and a half in the Majors, including striking out a record seven hitters in his debut, but at times just has not been able to miss as many bats as he would prefer to.
“It comes down to execution and being able to make adjustments quicker,” said Anderson about his first stint in the Majors.
“I also learned that sometimes in baseball, you can make a really good pitch and they may still hit it. At the end of the day all you can do is tip your cap and try your best to get the next guy out.”
Anderson should be recalled to the Major League club this week for a three-game set in Houston that will have a huge impact on which team wins the American League West pennant.
Taylor Hearn
The Rangers DFA’d Hearn last week to add Alex Speas to the 40-man roster.
He made the Opening Day roster this year after signing a 1-year $1.462 million deal with the club this off-season but was sent to Triple-A after posting a 10.29 ERA with seven strikeouts in four games.
Despite the continued struggles of the bullpen, Hearn was never recalled.
While in Round Rock he posted a 2-2 record to go with a 3.66 ERA and 4 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.
Tuesday is the deadline for another club to pick him up off of the waiver wire. If not, he could return to the Rangers organization or be granted his release from the ballclub.
Taylor Hearn has been giving batters the business since being demoted to Triple A in mid-April. The big lefty is patiently waiting on his time to shine while sending a message to the Majors that he can be a key piece for a Big League staff.
“I am doing well,” Hearn told MLBbro.com earlier this week. “Nothing has changed but the weather down here. I have not been doing anything different or changed anything mechanic wise, just continuing to do me.”
Coming into the 2023 season Hearn was on the bubble as to whether or not he would be on the Major League roster, but after signing a $1.05 million deal to avoid arbitration in late March, plus some solid performances at the end of Spring Training he made the team.
His first two appearances out of the bullpen went well as he combined to pitch 3.1 hitless innings with five strikeouts and no walks against last year’s National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies and the up-and-coming Baltimore Orioles highlighted by superstar Cedric Mullins.
It was Hearns’ poor performance in consecutive outings against the Cubs and Royals where he gave up a total of eight earned runs on nine hits in four innings that led to his demotion to the Rangers Triple A affiliate in Round Rock, Texas.
Hearn Dominating Minor League Hitters
Judging by the recent numbers he has posted; he is doing him just fine. Hearn has posted a 1.17 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 7.2 innings during his time out the bullpen. The last two appearances he has recorded a few noteworthy performances.
Both games, he threw two shutout innings and gave up a combined two hits while striking out seven batters. Time will tell as to whether or not the Dallas area native will get to pitch again for his hometown team or if his talents will be used in another Big League uniform.
Hearn has the goods and might need the tutelage of another pitching coach or an organization that believes in his electric moments enough to let him withstand the bad stretches.
My Two Cents | Texas Rangers Pitcher Taylor Hearn Is Ready For Whatever
“I know God has a big blessing coming my way,” Hearn told MLBbro.com. “I am just waiting and praying.”
No Major League team ever has enough arms in the bullpen, but teams such as the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, NY Yankees, who are struggling early, may need to take a flier on the 6 ‘7 lefty.
If Hearn is able to find a consistent secondary pitch to go along with his fastball, I believe he can be effective as a late inning reliever.
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