Orioles trade Brian Matusz to Braves for prospects Brandon Barker, Trevor Belicek

Yesterday the Baltimore Orioles traded left-handed pitcher Brian Matusz and a competitive balance draft pick (number 76) to the Atlanta Braves for a pair of pitching prospects: right-hander Brandon Barker and left-hander Trevor Belicek. Here's a quick take on the newest Baltimore farmhands.

Brandon Barker, RHP: Barker was a 2014 draft choice, selected in the 16th round from Mercer University. He had solid results in 2015 (3.25 ERA, 109/41 K/BB in 147 innings at three levels) and was off to another good start in 2016, posting a 2.00 ERA in 45 innings for Double-A Mississippi, with a 40/12 K/BB and 35 hits allowed.

Barker is a 6-3, 210 pounder born August 20, 1992. His fastball is decent enough at 88-92, sometimes a notch higher, and he'll mix in a slider and change-up. The slider is probably his best pitch and there's some deception in his delivery that helps his pitches play up. Overall command is his best attribute, giving him projection as a fifth starter or relief option.

Trevor Belicek, LHP: The Braves drafted Belicek in the 16th round last year from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He was a very successful starting pitcher in college and did particularly good work his senior season, posting a 2.87 ERA in 88 innings with a 111/28 K/BB and just 70 hits allowed. He has remained effective in pro ball, with a 2.35 ERA in 85 innings thus far, with an excellent 73/13 K/BB ratio. He was recently promoted to Double-A where he's given up one unearned run in three innings of work, with three strikeouts and zero walks.

Belicek is a 6-3, 215 pound southpaw born December 10, 1992. He features a fastball in the 86-90 range and a curveball; he also used a change-up when starting in college but the Braves were using him as a reliever so he didn't use it as often. Command is his best attribute and he's made short work of minor league hitters. He is an intriguing sleeper prospect.

Here's some recent video from Adam McInturff