Atlanta Braves recalled LHP Max Fried and designated RHP Miguel Socolovich for assignment

Braves recall left-handed pitching prospect Max Fried, DFA’d Socolovich

The Atlanta Braves continue to change up their bullpen.  It’s the revolving door of arms!  This time it’s left-handed pitcher Max Fried being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett and right-handed pitcher Miguel Socolovich has been designated for assignment.

Fried is a top prospect in the Braves organization as MLB Pipeline ranks him as the Braves 7th rated prospect.  The 24-year-old appeared in nine games with the Atlanta Braves in 2017 and started four games.  He went 1-1 with a 3.81 ERA and had 22 strikeouts with 12 walks.

The Braves really need to decide what they want from Fried.  Is he a starting pitcher or can he be more useful out of the bullpen.  If they think his future is in the pen, then they could give him that work in the minors.  He’s only pitched in two relief appearances in his six minor league seasons.

With all the starting pitching the Braves have, maybe they see Fried’s best chances to be with the big league squad is in the bullpen.  Definitely a possibility.

This is a scouting report from MLB.com…

"Fried has always had good stuff, especially his fastball-curve combination, but struggles with commanding it have hampered him at times. He might never have outstanding fastball command, but it was better during his big league stint and was even better in the AFL. His fastball will sit in the 92-96 mph range and he continues to have one of the best breaking balls in the Minors, a plus curve he manipulates well. His changeup is his third pitch, but it does allow him to give hitters a different look."

Fried will join a Braves bullpen that currently looks like this — this could change any second…

1. Jesse Biddle
2. Shane Carle
3. Sam Freeman
4. Max Fried
5. A.J. Minter
6. Peter Moylan
7. Arodys Vizcaino
8. Dan Winkler

Next: Bautista to join team during this road trip?

Socolovich appeared in two games this year with the Braves and held a 9.00 ERA.  He allowed three hits, three runs, one walk and had three strikeouts.  The 31-year-old had an awful Spring Training which got many off the Socolovich bus if they were ever on it.  His first appearance in the 2018 Spring Training, he gave up three hits, three walks, one hit batter and six runs.

It’s extremely doubtful that any other team scoops up Socolovich.  It’s likely the Braves will bring him back to their minor league squad … just for the hell of an extra arm.