Braves MiLB News: Another Day, Another Move

It seems as if there is a day that goes by that ends in the letter y that the Atlanta Braves are on the phone wheeling and dealing. Yesterday’s trade partner was the Pittsburgh Pirates. MiLB.com reports that he Braves dumped once-promising third base prospect Edward Salcedo on the Pirates for yet more minor league pitching. They acquired Bryton Trepagnier in return.

Trepagnier was the Pirates 41st round draft pick in 2010. The 6 foot 4,186 pound right handed reliever has had a roller coaster minor league career. He looked lost in his half season debut and even worse as a sophomore. He put it together in his third season going 4-1 with a 3.21 ERA, but seemingly fell apart in his next season. 2014, his career best across the board, earned him Mid-Season All Star honors in the Florida State League. He went 4-1 with a 2.53 ERA with 9 saves in 10 opportunities.

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The problem is that Trepagnier is already 23-years old and hasn’t shown the ability to rise above High-A ball yet. He has shown a career long struggle with command of his pitches, yet was able to get in and out of trouble by limiting opposing batters to a .190 average. He has a fastball that has increased in velocity each year (it sits in the low-90s now) and a breaking pitch that can make bats miss. Until he can do it consistently, he won’t be replacing Craig Kimbrel any time soon.

Salcedo is yet another bad big signing piece from the Frank Wren era that John Hart has made his mission to clear from Braves Country. Salcedo was signed to a big $1.6-million signing bonus out of the Dominican Republic in 2010 and was considered the future at hot corner for the Braves. He showed an ability to strike out and not get on base over his five year stint with the Braves.

Like Trepagnier, Salcedo is still only 23-years old, so to call him a bust is a bit premature. The 6 foot 3, 210 pound right hander has an ugly career .235/.303/.381 slash line. He has hit 56 home runs, which equates to barely 11 home runs a season. More worrisome is his fielding percentage. The third baseman has a career .890 fielding percentage at the hot corner. He hasn’t been dazzling anyone with the glove at third.

Trepagnier and Salcedo are both at a turning point in their careers. Perhaps a change of scenery is all that they needed. However, as it stands right now, neither seem to be ready to make a big league impact any time soon and could merely provide organizational depth for their careers.