The Atlanta Braves traded relief pitcher Tyler Yates to the Pittsburgh Pirates for largely unknown right-hander Todd Redmond.
First off, let me say that Yates wasn’t an ace for the Braves relief staff in 2007. He pitched 66 innings and nearly gave up a hit an inning and a walk every other inning. He had so-so strike-out power, but that single benefit was overshadowed by his massive 5.18 ERA. So, in short, this wasn’t a major loss for the Braves.
Redmond played minor-league ball for the Pirates organization the past three years. The Kansas City Royals selected him in the 40th round (1,182nd overall) in the 2003 amateur entry draft. Then, the Pirates snagged him with the 1,162 pick in the 39th round of the 2004 amateur entry draft. He wasn’t really on anyone’s radar screen, and he has been a flyer for the Pirates the last three years. In those three years, he was 22-21. He is only 22, and several minor league reports show him as having a decent curveball and a fastball that can reach into the 90s.
Who the Braves get is a much younger pitcher who has some upside. I’d buy this and hope for the best! The kid already has three bids for his lot here.
Rotoworld reports Redmond has excellent control, but his lack of a third pitch–a changeup would be nice–is likely to keep him out of the big leagues for the entire year. Even if he develops that third pitch, Rotoworld says he’s nothing but a fourth or fifth starter or early relief.
Filed under: Player News | Tagged: Todd Redmond, Tyler Yates
