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Atlanta Braves Pitcher Avoids Arbitration, Signs A One-Year Deal

By Jeff Schafer

Aug 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Atlanta Braves hat and glove in the dugout before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Atlanta Braves hat and glove in the dugout before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Braves Sign Relief Pitcher To One-Year Contract

One hundred and fifty-six players, yes 156, filed for salary arbitration earlier this week.  Big names such as Kole Calhoun, Jason Castro, Evan Gattis, Dallas Keuchel, Josh Reddick, Lorenzon Cain, Mike Moustaks, Josh Donaldson, Manny Machado, Alex Cobb, Aroldis Chapman, Shelby Miller, A.J. Pollock, Nolan Arenado, Trevor Rosenthal, Jake Arrieta, Jose Fernandez, Matt Harvey, and Stephen Strasburg.  The Atlanta Braves had two players…Arodys Vizcaino and Chris Withrow.

On Thursday evening, the Braves announced they have signed Withrow to a one-year deal.

The 26-year-old didn’t throw a pitch in 2015 because of elbow and back surgeries.  Withrow came to Atlanta from the Los Angles Dodgers on May 27, 2015.  He was part of the Juan Uribe acquisition that sent Alberto Callaspo, Juan Jaime, Eric Stults and Ian Thomas to LA.  Looking at the players we traded, if Withrow can be anything close to what he was originally projected, the Braves will definitely win this swap.

The Dodgers drafted Withrow with the 20th pick of the 2007 MLB draft out of Midland Christian High School in Texas.  He started his career with the Dodgers as a starter and actually was until 2012.  Halfway through the 2012 season, the Dodgers Double-A team moved him to the bullpen.

He was tremendous coming out of the pen to start the 2013 season with LA’s Triple-A team and was promoted to the Dodgers in June.  Over the next two seasons, he made 46 appearances and had 71 strikeouts compared to 31 walks.  He posted a 2.73 ERA and a 1.089 WHIP.

The 6’3″, 240 pound right-handed pitcher will most likely be back on the mound during Spring Training.  He is currently listed on the Braves 40-man roster.

Atlanta drafted Chris’s brother, Matt, this past year in the 6th round.  Matt attended Texas Tech University.  The 21-year-old started 13 games for the Danville Braves.  Matt went 0-4 in 2015 with a 3.56 ERA.

Video of Chris on the mound
Video of Matt on the mound

The Withrow brothers will look for a more promising 2016.

It’s great that the Braves were able to get Withrow signed early in the process.  Though, with his potential, I wish the Braves signed him to more than a one-year deal.  Next up….Arodys!

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