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Atlanta Braves Pitcher Brady Feigl Has Tommy John Surgery

By Alan Carpenter

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Feb 23, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Brady Feigl catches a batted ball during spring training workouts at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

I had feared this news was coming, ever since we heard that “elbow discomfort” caused Brady Feigl to be shut down just as his AAA season was starting up.  But this news – coming from the player himself – still hits hard:

The 24-year-old southpaw made an incredible splash – nay, more like a “solid impression” – on the Braves’ coaching staff this Spring, and very nearly made the club after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2014, then given a chance to compete for a major league job in 2015.

The native of Maryland (Millersville HS, Mount St. Mary’s University) could hardly get a look from scouts after he graduated, but kept pitching – kept trying… until the Braves noticed.

These are the kinds of stories we’re drawn to:  the underdog, the unnoticed, the unloved, and the under-appreciated.  And Feigl was clearly on a trajectory to overcome all of that.  Now he’ll just have to do it all over again.

Brady did have an injury history (torn labrum in college), which may have stalled his draft status since that happened in his junior year.  But clearly – when healthy, Brady was effective:

  • 2014 in Rome: 43.2 innings, 3.50 ERA
  • 2014 in Lynchburg: 22 innings, 2.05 ERA… with low walk rates at both stops

He only got through 2 outs in AAA before being shutdown… with 2 walks and a hit that immediately suggested that something was up.

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How good was the left-hander this Spring?

  • 7.2 innings
  • 7 hits
  • 1 earned run (a solo homer) for a 1.17 ERA
  • 0.91 WHIP with zero walks and 7 K’s

About the only member of the staff that out-pitched him was Cody Martin… and that only marginally.  Many of us – myself included – truly wanted to see him make the 25-man opening day roster… though between his experience level and the 40-man roster situation, he was given the double-promotion to AAA instead.

At least for one day.

We hate to hear this, but you’ve got to love the attitude and the drive.  Brady, we’re pulling for you to have a full recovery:  take your time with the rehab and you will be back.

Next: More Headaches for Braves Pitching

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