Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino doesn’t get many opportunities.
In fact, he seldom gets a chance to save a game. Being on a 15-36 team will do that for you. However, when he does get a chance to pitch, he has been quite dominant.
What has made him successful is his maturity. He feels that he has grown up with the help of his veteran teammates. In turn, that has helped him gain more confidence on the field.
“I learned a lot from Jason Grilli and Jim Johnson,” Vizcaino said through an interpreter. “From last year, they told me what to do and how to be prepared. Watching them prepare, I learned a lot from those two guys.”
The advice has helped him.
In 21 games, he has a 1.66 ERA and six saves. He also has 31 strikeouts and has surrendered only six runs. This has led to an impressive strikeout streak. Vizcaino has recorded a strikeout in his past 18 appearances, which is longest in the majors.
His play has impressed many in the Braves’ locker room. It has made the Braves comfortable enough to trade Grilli to the Toronto Blue Jays for a minor league prospect.
For the Braves, the move was made to give more players an opportunity in a down season. That includes developing more bullpen help to surround Vizcaino.
“We want to go with young pitching,” Braves general manager John Coppolella said. “What we’ve tried to do in a year like this is try to find out what we have with the young arms that we have here.”
Vizcaino said he will miss Grilli’s presence. He learned a lot from the veteran in terms of command and dealing with the pressures of closing. But he understands that his departure was a business decision.
“I feel good that I got some help from Grilli after all those years he was here,” he said. “I know that this is a business, and the team needs him over there. I will miss him.”
This is important for the Braves. When they move into SunTrust Park next season, they want to field the best team possible.
With Vizcaino, they feel that they can. He was a top pitching prospect who went to the Chicago Cubs. Now that he is back, the team wants him to be a key part in the entire rebuilding process.
According to Braves interim manager Brian Snitker, he will get the call anytime the team has a lead in a close game.
“He is a guy I feel good with giving a lead to in the ninth inning,” Snitker said. “I saw him a little bit my first time here in spring training. He is a young man that is sprouting his wings. He has done a very good job, and I am very confident in his abilities.”
