About four hours before tossing his first major-league pitch Friday against the Mets, Matt Wisler was leaning back in a chair underneath a brand-new “Wisler” nameplate and chatting with Alex Wood in the Braves’ clubhouse. He must have a black belt in “cool face,” because his demeanor didn’t reveal any of the nerves that must have been throbbing at that point.
Wisler arrived with a lot of hype, as Baseball America ranked him the No. 34 prospect in baseball and the top prospect in the Braves’ farm system.
His teammates said they’re eager to see what Wisler can do in his first big-league outing.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about this kid, so you’re always geeked up,” Jason Grilli said before the game. “He’s been a big prospect, and it’s time to see what he’s got going on today. We’re excited to see it just as much as you guys are.”
“The first one’s always special; you don’t really want to think too much,” Wood said. “It’s a whole different ballgame up here, but it’ll be exciting to see him throw tonight.”
The Braves acquired Wisler with Cameron Maybin in the trade that sent Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. to San Diego the day before opening day. In 12 starts with Triple-A Gwinnett, Wisler is 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA. He’s 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in his past five games, but those numbers are inflated by his last start, when he allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Wisler pitched his best Triple-A game May 30, when he tossed 8 1/3 scoreless innings with two hits and seven strikeouts against the Columbus Clippers. He showed flashes of the No. 2 big-league starter who scouts claim he can be.
“Matt was really, really good,” Gwinnett Braves manager Brian Snitker said after that game. “He’s gotten better from his first day here. Early on, he was working on a lot of stuff and probably had a lot going on in his mind, being new with the trade. He’s worked his butt off and has just gotten better.”
Wisler’s numbers were significantly better in Single-A (2.53 ERA) and Double-A (2.80 ERA), compared with his 4.76 ERA in two seasons of Triple-A.
His fastball can touch 96 mph but consistently hits 92-95 mph with some left-to-right movement. His slider is his out pitch, which comes out in the low-80s and has some nice late movement away from right-handed hitters. Baseball America said Wisler had the best slider in the Padres’ farm system after the 2012 season.
The Braves sent reliever Sugar Ray Marimon to Gwinnett to open a roster spot for Wisler.
