Matt Wisler to make big league debut for Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves announced on Thursday night that top pitching prospect Matt Wisler has been promoted and will make his first big-league start tonight against the New York Mets. Right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon has been sent to AAA Gwinett in a corresponding move.

A seventh round pick by the Padres in 2011, Wisler entered the season as Baseball America’s No. 34 overall prospect. The 22-year-old saw his prospect stock rise each of the last three years after strong numbers at each of his minor-league stops, but seemed to hit a road block with San Diego’s AAA club last year, pitching to a career-high 5.01 ERA in 116.2 innings.

Wisler pitched better with AAA Gwinett this year after joining the Atlanta organization in the offseason trade that sent Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton to San Diego. In 65 innings, he’s pitched to a 4.29 ERA with an improved walk rate, and has also done a better job keeping the ball in the ballpark (0.7 HR/9) despite lower strikeout numbers. The call-up comes at a curious time, however, at Wisler comes off a start with Gwinett in which he went just 3.2 and gave up seven runs on eight hits and two walks. The Braves evidently believe it was just a fluke, and hope the young righty can become a steady option as the team’s fifth starter.

Next: Chris Johnson could be slumping his way off the Braves