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Atlanta Braves Acquire Brian Matusz + Comp Pick

By Fred Owens

Apr 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves Acquire Brian Matusz and Comp Pick From O’s

According to Mark Bowman and others the Braves acquired LHP Brain Matusz from the Orioles.

While Matusz was once one of the Orioles top rated prospects the real prize in the trade was the 76th pick in the coming draft.  To get that pick the Braves surrendered minor league RHP Brandon Barker and LHP Trevor Belicek and agreed to take on the remainder of Matusz $3.9M salary- just under $3M accord to John Heyman.

The Angels drafted the 6’5” 195 pound lefty in 2005 but he chose to go college instead. The wait was worth it for Matusz as the Orioles selected him as their first pick – number four overall – in the 2008 draft. His showing the AZFL was enough Baseball America to rank him the Orioles #25 prospect while Baseball Prospectus liked him better slotting him in at #19 and his first full year wasn’t a disappointment.

After starting the year at A+ ball and posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.155 WHIP in 66 2/3 innings over 11 starts the Birds moved him up to AA. At Bowie he made 8 starts throwing 46 1/3 innings  with a 1.55 ERA and 0.906 WHIP striking out 8.9 per nine while walking only 2.1.  The Orioles needed pitching help and brought the 22 year old lefty up in August.

Next: In The Beginning. . .

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