Breaking News: Braves Confirms The Addition Of Another right handed arm to the bullpen mix
Atlanta has included a former Cardinals reliever in the roster of players invited to Spring Training. The competition for bullpen spots within the Atlanta Braves is expected to be intense this spring. Today, a new addition was made to the group of relievers vying for a spot on the major league team. As reported by MLB Trade Rumors on the official X page (formerly Twitter), the Braves have inked a minor league deal with right-handed pitcher Jake Walsh.
Jake Walsh is one of the eight pitchers who received a non-roster invitation to participate in Spring Training, joining notable names such as top prospect Hurtson Waldrep and former shutdown closer Ken Giles. While Walsh may not have the same level of recognition as some of his counterparts, his performance in the minor leagues suggests that he could make a significant impact if he impresses during the spring.
Who is Jake Walsh?
Selected in the late rounds of the 2017 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, Walsh successfully climbed the ranks and reached the majors in 2022, primarily due to his impressive strikeout numbers in the minor leagues. However, his stint in major league baseball was brief, featuring in only three games and pitching a total of 2.2 innings.
Known for his sinker, curveball, and changeup, Walsh exhibited a consistent ability to strike out batters with a K/9 rate exceeding 12 at every level he reached between 2021 and 2022. Unfortunately, he faced challenges during the 2023 season with the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds, as his ERA soared to 5.28, and his K/9 dropped to 10. Subsequently, the Cardinals released him in July.
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Now, Walsh is aiming for a comeback, seeking to demonstrate his past ability to induce swing-and-miss as he did a couple of years ago. A strong performance this spring could potentially earn him a role with the Atlanta Braves. It’s worth noting that unexpected success stories, like Michael Tonkin’s emergence last spring, can lead to significant contributions, as Tonkin pitched 80 innings for the Braves in the preceding season despite not being initially considered a notable player to watch.