Atlanta Braves: Addition of Kyle Wright Strengthens Braves Bullpen

On Saturday, the Atlanta Braves announced that star prospect, Kyle Wright, would join their bullpen for the final playoff push.

The Atlanta Braves announced that their second-ranked prospect (per MLB.com), Kyle Wright, would join the big league club as a part of their September call-ups. The Vanderbilt star was selected fifth overall in 2017, later receiving a record signing bonus of $7 million.

This is exciting news for the young Braves as their rebuild keeps on paying valuable dividends. Going into the season, the Braves were an afterthought as the Washington Nationals were expected to run away with the National League East. After the emergence of Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and a number of valuable pitchers, the Braves now see themselves entering September with a record of 75-60 (going into play on Sunday) with a three and a half game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kyle Wright is the next piece of the Braves’ future. Fans and the baseball world will have to wait to see the full impact of Wright as he will mainly work out of the bullpen down the stretch of the season.

Wright’s stuff should translate well to the bullpen as his fastball should play up, typically sitting between 94-98 mph, while he also possesses a solid curve and a plus slider. He is set to join a group of young arms that have made an emergence in 2018;

MLB.com ranks Wright as Major League Baseball’s 24th best prospect and gives his fastball a grade of 65, with his curveball and slider coming in at a 60, followed by his changeup with a grade of 55.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

The righty has flown through the Braves farm system over his first year-plus of professional baseball. While he mostly has been a starter throughout 2018, Wright has made three relief appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett. Overall in his time spent between Double/Triple-A, the Braves prospect has made 27 appearances, recording a record of 8-9 with a 3.46 ERA and a WHIP of 1.22.

It is reasonable to assume that Wright might get the nod to start a game or two for the Braves down the stretch of the season, but his move to the bullpen is likely a precautionary measure to limit his innings. The 22-year-old is only finishing his first full year of professional baseball, it is smart for the Braves to limit their risk while still benefiting in Wright’s talents.

Braves Manager, Brian Snitker, addressed Wright’s transition to the bullpen in comments made to AJC.com.

“Anything is possible,” said Snitker, “But right now we just foresee him coming out of the bullpen.”

We will likely see Kyle Wright fight for a rotation spot next spring as he will surely impress this September with his plus stuff. Wright’s addition to the Atlanta Braves should be very valuable as they will continue to fight for a Playoff Birth.