Atlanta Braves promote pitching prospect Matt Wisler

The Atlanta Braves are promoting pitching prospect Matt Wisler to the major league roster. He will make his debut tonight against the New York Mets. Wisler is taking over the rotation spot opened by the recent demotion of fellow rookie Mike Foltynewicz to Triple-A.

Wisler was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the seventh round of the 2011 draft out of high school in Bryan, Ohio. He emerged as an interesting prospect quickly with strong seasons in Low-A (2.53 ERA, 113/28 K/BB in 114 innings) in 2012 and Double-A (2.78, 103/27 K/BB in 105 innings) in 2013 but had a few troubles transitioning to the difficult Pacific Coast League in 2014 (5.01, 101/36 in 117 innings, 131 hits).

He was traded to the Braves this spring in the Craig Kimbrel/Melvin Upton deal. He has spent this year with Triple-A Gwinnett, posting a 4.29 ERA in 65 innings with a 49/13 K/BB ratio.

Wisler is a 6-3, 195 pound right-hander born September 12, 1992. His fastball is generally in the 90-94 range with peaks at 95-96. He can use both a two and a four-seam variety. His slider is a solid offering, plus at times, and he's developed a deceptive change-up. Although none of his pitches are outstanding, none of them are weak, either, and he throws quality strikes with everything. He's been quite durable to this point in his career and projects as a number three or strong number four starter, capable of eating innings efficiently.