Another Braves Reliever : Vin Mazzaro Signs

According to Braves beat writer David O’Brien, this morning another Braves reliever; Vin Mazzaro.

Yet Another Potential Braves Reliever

The 6’2”, 220 pound, 28 year old Mazzaro joins an ever increasing list of relievers to pass through Gwinnett this season. He was originally selected by Oakland in the third round of the 2005 draft and made his major league debut for the As in 2009.

After two years with Oakland they dealt him to the Royals as part of a package for David DeJesus. Mazzaro spent two years with the Royals before being traded to the Pirates in November 2012   With the Bucs he seemed to figure it out, posting a 2.81 ERA (3.31 FIP), and a 1.209 WHIP, walking 21 and striking out 46 in 71 2/3 IP spread over 57 appearances.

Last season wasn’t as good for Mazzaro who started the year in AAA got a call up to the Bucs for 5 games in May then returned to Indianapolis for the rest of the season. He pitched well in AAA appearing in 33 games for the Indians and posting a 2.52 ERA, 1.340 WHIP, walking 20 and striking out 34 over 50 IP and earning 4 saves.

In January he signed with the Marlins as a minor league free agent and was assigned to New Orleans. He appeared in 11 games for the Zephyrs posting a 3.15 ERA, 1.300 WHIP while striking out 22 and walking just 4 over 20 IP.

Mazzaro appeared in 10 games with the fish throwing 12 innings posting 3.75 ERA while giving up 15 hits, walking six and striking out six. When the Marlins designated him for assignment and outrighted him back to New Orleans he elected free agency.

He features both a two seam and four seam fastball, a slider pitcher and mixes in a curve about seven percent of the time. Fangraphs shows him to generate ground balls about twice as as often as has pitches hit in the air so he should fit right in with the Braves.

Mazzaro was assigned to Gwinnett. Follow @VinceMazz on Twiiter.

That’s a Wrap

It should be no surprise that there’s another Braves reliever signing. They’ve gone through them like paper towels this year and it wouldn’t shock me if they add a couple more pretty quickly. This week both Neftali Feliz and Joba Chamberlain were DFA with Feliz electing free agency and Chamberlain being released by the Tigers.

Mazzaro is likely minor league depth filling the void left by the release of his predecessors. If the Braves move some of their bullpen pieces at the deadline we may see him or some of this teammates to fill the empty spots those deals create. When that happens we’ll give you the details here at the Take.

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