Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

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Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Wow! Wiley dominant as Braves beat Huntsville, 3-1
Fans 13 in win

By Luke Johnson

Suddenly, it all came together.

Braves' lefty Brayden Wiley has been brilliant pretty much all season long, but last night against Huntsville, he seemingly set the bar even higher.

Wiley dominated Huntsville's line up all night, in route to striking out 13 hitters.

He never got himself into any real trouble. In the first, Huntsville led the inning off with a double. The next pitch resulting in a single, giving them a 1-0 lead.

It became a nightmare from there.

At the end of the night, here's what you saw:



It has been a long time since the Braves have seen a performance such as this.

"I had everything working," said Wiley. "I'm not usually arrogant, but man, they couldn't hit me tonight. I feel it's the best I've ever pitched."

Arrogant? When you fan 13 hitters and walk none, and only give up four hits, you have some room for tooting your own horn.

Now the Southern League has a big problem on their hands.

Wiley is now 2-2 on the season with a 2.54 ERA. He has 49 strikeouts in 49.2 innings pitched and has only walked 15. For the kid who most thought had command issues, he sure didn't have any on this night.

"He can be as good as he wants to be," said Braves' Manager Rocket Wheeler. "It was fun to just sit back and watch that performance tonight. You don't see too many of those at this level."

It is not debatable that Wiley has become this team's ace. The Braves will need him to pitch like this if they hope to make the playoffs.

Mycal Jones had two spectacular defensive plays that kept Wiley out of hot water. The shortstop also finished with four hits and scored all three of the team's runs. Jordan Schafer had two hits and two RBI's on the night and that's all Wiley would need.

The Braves (20-21) continue their series against Huntsville tomorrow at 4:35.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

"I guess it's the age we live in."

Tom Watts didn't want to make the phone call, but he felt he had to.

He had watched Brayden's recent start against Huntsville. He was brilliant. Watts had never really seen anything like it. He had everything working for him. 13 strikeouts. Watts had been wrong about him. Originally, he thought if the kid were to make it, he'd live on keeping the ball down and inducing ground balls. Six months ago, his velocity lacked and his command needed a lot of work.

What he saw on the mound tonight was something entirely different.

The question he had to ask Brayden was one that might offend him. I guess it's the age we live in, thought Watts. He had hated the steroids era and wished baseball hadn't turned a blind eye to it. How many fans had the game lost? How many fathers and sons missed out on going to the ballpark together because to a lot of them, baseball had turned into a joke?

They were testing heavily now, but Watts knew that there were still ways around it. He had heard things.

Wiley had gained five miles per hour on his fastball in six or seven months. Even for an 18-year-old kid, that wasn't typical. How did he do it? His 210 pound frame had looked better, too. Wiley was lanky last summer, now he looked like a chiseled vet. Watts just couldn't shake the suspicion, so he had to find out for himself.

"Hey Brayden! Great game yesterday, bud. You were dominant out there! When you get this message, call me back. It's important. This is Tom, by the way."

Brayden had missed the phone call because he was out on a dinner date with a girl that he had met after his first start. He liked her. He didn't know if it would go anywhere, but he had fun with her.

He checked the message and called Tom back. He answered on the first ring.

"Hey Tom," said Brayden.

"That was fast," replied Tom. "Shouldn't you be out celebrating?"

"Already did. Just got in a little early. So you saw the game today?" asked Brayden.

"I did. Great performance. You'll remember this one for a long time," said Tom.

"I've been working hard. It all paid off tonight," replied Brayden. "I've pitched okay ever since I was put into the rotation, but not great. Tonight, I felt like I showed the Braves what I could do."

"Right. That's right, kid. Well hey, the purpose of my call is uncomfortable, and maybe I should do it in person, but I can't get down to Pearl for at least two weeks..."

"What is it?" asked Brayden.

"Ah, kid, this is tough for me, but you know me. I'm a straight shooter, so I'm going to put it out there. You haven't been taking anything, have you? We talked about performance enhancing drugs before," continued Watts. "Have you touched them? Be straight with me, kid."

"What the...? Tom, are you serious? Why would you think that? Because I'm doing well? I'm honestly offended," replied Wiley.

"Damn it kid, toughen up," said Watts. "It's nothing personal. I don't think you are taking anything, but man, your fastball. 94 on the gun last night? Are you kidding me?"

"My fastball has always been legit," said Wiley. "Remember, I got hurt last year. My last start in high school, I hit 96 on the gun. I thought you would have done your research," said Wiley.

"I did. Kid, I'm sorry. Maybe it's just tough to believe how well you're doing, but I do wish you'd just answer the question and put my mind at ease."

"Well, I eat a protein bar a day. I work out hard. If you want to call those 'performance enhancing,' then yeah, I've taken them. Anything illegal or even remotely dangerous? No, Tom. Come on."

"Good. Keep it that way, and have a great birthday next week. Don't you start on your birthday?"

"Yeah," said Wiley, clearly still miffed from the question.

"Knock 'em dead."

Wiley hung up.

He didn't understand how Tom could even think that. Wiley promised himself long ago that he would never cheat. Hell, one time he accidentally spit on the ball, and he threw it to the ump to get a new one. His only edge was his preparation. He didn't need steroids, and it hurt that Tom had asked.

[HARLEE23]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Woah! Someone is a beast!

[Curyy94]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

This is fun and hillarious to read

Keep up the good work!

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Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

2010 Stats - Pitching
NAME	W	L	SV	QS	HLD	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Brayden Wiley	2	2	0	2	8	49.2	48	14	3	15	49	1.27	2.54

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Thanks for the comments, guys.

I'll keep this going for as long as people read it. Five pages and only a few replies, though. I realize a lot of people just don't comment, but hopefully I get some replies and views here soon.

Maybe I need a catchier title?

[yougo1000]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Hey apostle this is really good. one of the beat I have ever read.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

I'm going to try and get in some more updates today.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Hey apostle this is really good. one of the beat I have ever read.

Thanks!

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Braves beat BayBears 1-0 in 10 innings
Wiley dominates again despite no-decision

By Luke Johnson

Mississippi Braves' fans were treated to another stellar pitching performance as Brayden Wiley threw another gem but did not get the win last night.

The Braves eventually won in 10 innings on Mitch Jones' sacrifice fly, however.

"Our offense has been sputtering, but our pitching is keeping us in games," said Braves' Manager Rocket Wheeler. "You saw that again tonight with our ace on the mound."

'Ace' probably wasn't the word that most would think would describe Wiley, not because of his ability, but rather because he's 19 (today was his birthday!) and is in Double-A.

Wiley went seven innings and only gave up two hits. He walked three and struck out six. He lowered his season ERA to 2.22.

"I'm feeling really good," said Wiley after the game. "My command was sharp early on. I walked two in the seventh but pulled out of the jam. All in all, it was a great birthday today. We won."

Wiley will get next start at home on Monday against the Montgomery Biscuits.

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Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Wiley struggles, Braves still win, 5-4
Mycal Jones has big day

By Luke Johnson

You can't throw a great game every time out.

At least, that's what Manager Rocket Wheeler told starter Brayden Wiley as he pulled the lefty with one out in the fifth.

Wiley struggled, going 4.1 innings. He allowed seven hits, four runs (all earned), walked three. He did not record a strikeout.

Despite Wiley's off performance, the Braves' offense played small ball to beat the Biscuits 5-4. Brett DeVall picked up the win and is now 5-2 on the season.

Mycal Jones led the Braves' offensive attack by going 4-4 with two singles, a double and triple. He scored three runs and had two RBIs.

Asked after the game on what went wrong, Wiley was pretty upbeat.

"I just didn't have it today but we won, so I'm happy," said Wiley. "It's nice to have your offense pick you up a bit. I didn't pitch well but days like this happen."

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Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Braves nip Diamond Jaxx 3-1, Wiley fans 13 (again)

By Luke Johnson

"I'm starting to expect these kind of performances from this kid."

That's what Manager Rocket Wheeler had to say after looking over the box score of last night's 3-1 win over the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.

Wiley fanned 13 for the second time this season, frustrating the league's top offense en route to his third win of the season. He pitched seven innings and scattered seven hits, allowing only one run and walking one.

All three of the Braves' runs came on a three-run home run by outfielder Mitch Jones.

The Braves only finished with three hits, but the blast from Jones was more than enough for Wiley.

Brett DeVall and Stephen Marek pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game. It was Marek's 20th save of the season.

"I really made it a point to myself to beat these guys," said Wiley. "Their lineup is loaded with talent. They are the best team in the league. I knew my command would have to be sharp and it was. My curve ball had good movement, the slider was there when I needed it and my fastball was as good as it's been all year. Even my new pitch [changeup] felt good. It helped in keeping them off balance."

Wiley's ERA dropped to 2.51 on the season and he is now second in the league in strikeouts, trailing leader Michael Pineda by two punch outs. Wiley is also second in the league in ERA, trailing only Suns' hurler Brad Stone (2.11).

"If he keeps this up, he won't be here much longer," said Wheeler.

Wiley's next scheduled start is at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday, June 10.

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Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Eric Williamson was sure he saw the next Erik Bedard last night.

Not the Erik Bedard of now, but the Erik Bedard of then. The Erik Bedard that should have been.

Watching Bedard pitch when he was in this prime was a thing of beauty. When he was healthy, there was not a better lefty in baseball. Without the injuries, Williamson thought that Bedard should have been what Cliff Lee is now.

Most people didn't consider Bedard a "power" pitcher, but he was a lefty that had the stuff that missed a lot of bats.

Williamson had just got hired by Baseball America as a talent evaluator for prospects. His job was simple - scour the country and find prospects to write about. He was expected to write scouting reports on five prospects per month, and Seattle Mariners prospect Michael Pineda would be his first subject.

He was in Jackson, Tennessee to watch Pineda pitch against the Mississippi Braves.

Pineda was a big kid from the Dominican Republic. He was one of the Seattle Mariners' prized prospects. He was 6'5" and weighed well over 200 pounds. He was good and he threw hard. For the season, he was 6-0 with a 2.93 ERA.

Williamson was told to go Jackson and scout this kid.

After the game was only a few innings old, however, Williamson found himself much more intrigued by the tall lefty that was pitching for Mississippi. He looked in his media guide and found that the kid's name was Brayden Wiley, listed at 6'4" and 210 pounds. He had just turned 19-years-old. He opened his laptop and read Wiley's player profile page at MiLB.com. He was drafted by the Braves in the second round last summer. For the season, Wiley had a 2-2 record in 24 games, with six of those games being starts. He had an ERA of 2.66 and had struck out 55 batters in 54.2 innings.

Through three innings, he had six strikeouts and was simply making the Diamond Jaxx hitters look silly. Williamson clocked his fastball at 93 miles per hour, and it had life. The kid was throwing the pitch with confidence and the movement was making it hard for West Tennessee's potent lineup to get anything going. His curve ball was just as devastating. His slider looked like his weakest pitch, but Williamson thought for his age, it was actually above average.

Pineda was pitching well too, but there was just something about this lefty that he liked more.

At the end of the game, Williamson looked at his scorecard.

The Braves had beat the Diamond Jaxx and Wiley picked up his third win of the season. Pineda was handed his first loss of the season, but had pitched well. Just not good enough to beat this kid.

There was little doubt that Wiley had out pitched Pineda.

7 IP, 7 H (only one for extra bases), 1 ER, 1 walk and 13 strikeouts.

His record now stood at 3-2 and he had 68 K's.

What Williamson was intrigued about was a barely 19-year-old lefty dominating in Double-A, especially when the kid didn't pitch at all last year after being drafted.

Williamson knew talent - that's why Baseball America hired him. This Wiley kid was going to be special.

He'd do the report on Pineda, but he was much more excited to scout Wiley. He'd fly to Mississippi for the kid's next home start.

He couldn't wait.

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Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Wiley dominates again, Braves beat Lookouts 3-2
Braves half a game out of first

By Luke Johnson

Brayden Wiley is a man on fire.

Wiley threw seven innings last night, allowing seven hits and walking one while striking out nine. He did not allow a run.

He left with a 1-0 lead, but the Braves' bullpen could not hold the lead. Wiley took the no-decision, but the Braves scored two runs in the ninth to win 3-2.

Brett Oberholtzer (4-3) picked up the win for the Braves.

Wiley (3-2) was in control for much of the night and lowered his season ERA to 2.28. It was his third quality start in a row.

When asked after the game if the lack of run support was getting to Wiley, the lefty replied, "No. It's baseball. All I can control is what I do on the mound."

J.C. Holt led the offense for the Braves, finishing 2-3. With two outs in the ninth, Holt hit a walkoff double that scored two runs to seal the game for the Braves.

The Braves are now only half a game out of the first place lead.

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Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Braves rip Mudcats 6-1, Wiley gets fourth win
Braves are tied for first with 34-32 record

By Luke Johnson

6/16/2010

The Mississippi Braves (34-32) beat the Carolina Mudcats 6-1 on the road last night to pull even with the Jacksonville Suns for first place in the SL South Division race.

Brayden Wiley picked up his fourth win of the season.

Wiley has been the league's hottest pitcher and has garnered a lot of attention as of late.

The lefty went eight innings and only allowed five hits. He allowed only his second home run of the season while walking two and striking out 12, delivering another dominating performance for the Braves.

"He's been the guy that I've counted on to get us wins," said Manager Rocket Wheeler. "As of late, no one in the league has an answer for him. Without him, we wouldn't be tied for first."

Wiley lowered his season ERA to 2.16.

He also went 1-3 at the plate with a two-RBI single in the sixth inning.

Benji Johnson was responsible for the other four RBIs, as the catcher hit the first grand slam of his career in the seventh. It was Johnson's third home run of the season.

Wiley will get his next start at home against the Mobile BayBears on Tuesday.