Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

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  • 12
    Banned
    • Feb 2010
    • 4458

    #76
    Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

    Tom Watts was rarely shocked by anything that happened in baseball. It was a funny game.

    When he heard that Brayden Wiley was traded by the Braves, however, he was absolutely shell shocked. He simply couldn't believe it. When the deal was announced on a local station in Pearl, his jaw dropped to the ground. He immediately called Rocket Wheeler, who was understandably upset.

    "It's true and I don't want to talk about it," said Wheeler.

    That was that.

    How could the Braves, an organization that typically made shrewd moves, trade one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in the game? For crying out loud, Wiley was a 19-year-old kid who was cruising through Double-A. No one in the league could hit the kid.

    It was times like these that made Watts want to quit. He had invested so much time and energy into Wiley and it was all worth it, but he simply couldn't understand how an organization could be so reckless and
    short sighted.

    Andrew Friedman was the man of the hour. Eric Williamson of Baseball America had recently told Watts that Wiley was one of the top 50 prospects in all of baseball. What made that amazing was that Wiley was 19 and had less than three months of professional ball under his belt.

    He'd decided that he'd fly out to Anaheim to wish Wiley well. He would still follow the kid's career. Perhaps Wiley would be better off in Tampa Bay. Bobby Cox was retiring at the end of the year, and the Rays knew how to develop their talent.

    What a rotation that would be in the future for the Rays.

    Comment

    • 12
      Banned
      • Feb 2010
      • 4458

      #77
      Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP



      Tampa Bay acquires two young pitchers


      By Ben Hughes

      The Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves have completed a three-player trade as the trade deadline draws closer.

      The Rays sent veteran reliever Dan Wheeler to Atlanta in exchange for left-handed pitcher Brayden Wiley and right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel.

      It's a move that has left many scratching their heads as to what the Braves were thinking by sending two promising young pitchers for a reliever.

      Wiley, 19, was drafted in the second round last summer out of Chiawana High School in Pasco, Washington. He sat out last summer to recover from a minor shoulder injury. He started this season with the Braves' Double-A affiliate, the Mississippi Braves. He was 6-3 with a 1.99 ERA for the Braves and is currently leading the Southern League in strikeouts.

      Wiley has been selected to start the Futures Game tomorrow for Team USA.

      Kimbrel, 22, had a 2.25 ERA with 22 saves on the season for the Gwinnett Braves, Atlanta's Triple-A affiliate. He was thought to be a key piece to the Braves' future bullpen, but apparently the Braves had other plans.

      Wheeler is currently 5-1 for the Rays with a 3.03 ERA.

      An anonymous source who coaches in the Southern League thought the Braves had really made a huge mistake by trading the two young hurlers.

      "Sometimes, you just have to wonder what some executives are thinking," said the source. "Tampa Bay got an absolute steal here. Wiley might not be as good as his numbers indicate, but he's a definite future MLB talent. Kimbrel could end up being a dominant closer. The Braves made a huge mistake."

      Bobby Cox said the trade will help his team in the short term and that it solidifies his bullpen.

      Wiley will report to Double-A Montgomery and will immediately be the Biscuits' best starting pitcher. He passed his physical and that completed the deal. Wiley measures in at 6'2" (he was originally listed at 6'4") and weighed 210 pounds.

      Kimbrel will head to Durham where he will see plenty of action for the Bulls.

      "I'm excited for a new opportunity with the Tampa Bay organization," said Wiley. "Getting traded was a surprise, but I'll make the best of it."

      Kimbrel was a bit less diplomatic.

      "They [the Braves] better pray that they never face me in the playoffs," said Kimbrel.

      Comment

      • 12
        Banned
        • Feb 2010
        • 4458

        #78
        Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP



        Team USA defeats World in Futures Game, 5-4

        By Ben Hughes



        Anaheim, California

        Each year, baseball fans get to experience new up and coming players in a game called the Futures Game, which is played annually during the All-Star break.

        Team USA was comprised of some of the best young talent in baseball. They would take on Team World, a squad made up of other talent that spans the globe.

        Brayden Wiley got the start for Team USA, and started the game out in style by striking out the side on 15 pitches in the first inning. The lefty was dominant in his two innings of work, allowing two hits while striking out four.



        Brayden Wiley

        "It was an honor to not only pitch in this game, but to start," said Wiley after the game. "Luckily for me, I felt really good out there. This game was fun and I had a lot of fun with my teammates."

        Team USA got out to a quick start in the bottom of the first after a lead off double by outfielder Mike Trout. With one out in the inning, Florida Marlins' top prospect Mike Stanton hit a towering home run off of Michael Pineda to put his team up 2-0.

        Team World answered back in a big way, but not until the fourth inning, when shortstop Starlin Castro hit
        a grand slam home run to give his team a 4-2 lead.

        Trout again got things going three innings in the seventh, when the speedy outfielder tripled off of Simon Castro. Tony Sanchez, Grant Green and Dee Brown all scored on the play to put Team USA up for good.

        Trout finished the game 2-5 with a double and a triple and three RBIs. He was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

        Mike Stanton was 1-2 with a towering home run and two RBIs.

        For Team World, Starlin Castro was 2-3 with a grand slam.


        Wiley strikes out the game's lead off hitter, Starlin Castro



        Wiley dominated Team World in his two innings of work



        Comment

        • 12
          Banned
          • Feb 2010
          • 4458

          #79
          Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

          Update:

          Alright guys, I hope everyone is enjoying my RTTS career!

          The story line is pretty basic. My player was drafted in the second round, so I wanted to buy some points and beef him up a bit. I really had very little interest in creating a player and struggling mightily. That's not to say that I'm cheesing, because I'm not. It's just that I want my player to be more of a "can't miss" type than someone who struggles and gets traded two or three times every season.
          My attributes are still pretty modest, but I am one of the top pitching prospects in the Rays' system (#5 ranked pitcher, #1 in AA).

          I am currently pitching on Veteran with the sliders left untouched. I am planning on moving the difficulty level up very soon.

          The story lines will get more interesting as time moves along. I love writing and take pride in it.

          Please let me know if you're following, and please give me any suggestions that you may have. I'd appreciate it.

          If you have any questions or ideas, please don't hesitate to share.

          THANKS!

          Comment

          • bhurst99
            All Star
            • Aug 2003
            • 9137

            #80
            Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

            It's a great dynasty! You put a lot of work into the writing and it shows. My only advice would to try to have a visual element with your game stories like you did with the Future Game.
            Career of Bryan Hurst: Year Six(MLB - PS4)
            Video Diary of FIFA Manager Bhurst99 (FIFA - PC)
            Career of Bryan Hurst: Year Two (NHL: Be A Pro - X360)
            Toronto FC: Second Season (FIFA - PC)
            F1 Challenge Video Diary (PC)

            Comment

            • HARLEE23
              MVP
              • Jun 2010
              • 1174

              #81
              Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

              You know I have been following since the beggining! I think I have an eye for dynasty writer talent!
              MLB- Reds
              NFL- Colts
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              NCAAF- Ohio State
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              Wrestling Fan

              The Ace- Coaching Career of Jordan James

              Comment

              • 12
                Banned
                • Feb 2010
                • 4458

                #82
                Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

                You guys know... Without people following and leaving feedback, this is going to be a tough one to continue...

                Comment

                • yougo1000
                  Pro
                  • Nov 2010
                  • 885

                  #83
                  Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

                  I am following. You are really good at writing.
                  Check out my Baseball Rumors Blog http://baseballrumors101.blogspot.com/

                  Comment

                  • Curyy94
                    Banned
                    • Dec 2010
                    • 86

                    #84
                    Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

                    I'm following.

                    To be fair, if people don't follow this, they probably follow nothing because this is the best one.

                    Comment

                    • The GIGGAS
                      Timbers - Jags - Hokies
                      • Mar 2003
                      • 28474

                      #85
                      Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

                      I agree. This is fantastically written, and whenever I see that there's a new post by you, Apostle, I drop what I'm doing and read it. Especially when I'm at work.
                      Rose City 'Til I Die
                      Duuuuuuuvvvvaaaaaaaal
                      Hokie Hokie Hokie Hy

                      Member: OS Uni Snob Assoc.
                      OS OT Post Champ '11

                      Twitter: @TheGIGGAS_OS
                      Xbox Live: TheGIGGAS
                      3DS: 1349-7755-3870

                      Comment

                      • Devastant1971
                        Go Cubs (?)
                        • Mar 2010
                        • 32

                        #86
                        Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

                        Dude, I'm an over the road truck driver, and I specifically stopped at a place with internet tonight so I could catch up with this. Excellent writing, compelling story. You have a definite fan here!
                        Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - R.A. Heinlein
                        Currently Playing:
                        PS3:
                        NHL 11
                        MLB 10:The Show (RTTS Pitching...ARRRRGH!)
                        Rockband 3
                        PC:
                        Civilization 4 BtS
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                        Civilization V SUCKS!

                        Comment

                        • 12
                          Banned
                          • Feb 2010
                          • 4458

                          #87
                          Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

                          You guys are awesome. Look for some updates tonight.

                          Comment

                          • 12
                            Banned
                            • Feb 2010
                            • 4458

                            #88
                            Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

                            Bend it with Beckham

                            Brayden Wiley sat on the plane and couldn't help but smile.

                            He had just pitched in the Futures Game and had dominated. Scouts were singing his praises and Team USA won, 5-4.

                            He had wished that he could have taken in the moment more, but he had to jump on a plane and fly to Milwaukee to play in the Southern League All-Star game. He had debated about skipping the game and staying in Anaheim for the All-Star break, but had ultimately decided against it.

                            The coolest part for him was that his parents had made the trip and saw him pitch. His best friend, Peyton, had also flew down. They got to see him represent his country in the Futures Game and he worked through the pregame jitters and pitched very well.

                            His seat was next to Tim Beckham's, the first overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. Beckham had also played in the Futures Game and had made a great defensive play to keep a run from scoring when Brayden was on the mound.

                            They had met before the game in the locker room. Beckham was Brayden's new teammate now. Both were flying to Milwaukee for the All-Star game and they would both hop on the same plane and fly to Montgomery.

                            "Hey man, you pitched really well today," said Beckham, as the plane was getting set for takeoff.

                            "Thanks bud. I surprised myself, I had it going," replied Wiley. "Thanks for that great defensive play that saved my butt in the second."

                            "That was sick, right?" asked Beckham. "I'm surprised I made the play, but even more surprised that I threw the guy out. He was slow."

                            Brayden laughed.

                            "So we're teammates now," said Beckham. "You'll like Montgomery. It's a fun little town. We have a really good team, even though we've struggled at times. You're going to fit in."

                            "I hope so man," said Brayden. "In Pearl, I just never felt at home. I loved the idea of playing for the Braves and being in their organization, but I never felt at home there. Dudes on the team basically ignored me. My manager was great, though."

                            "I know what you mean," replied Beckham. "I was taken first overall and got a six million dollar bonus. At first, guys seem like you're not even there. I don't know if it was jealousy or they were just feeling me out, or what. That first year was uncomfortable. But believe me, it gets better, and in Montgomery, you won't get that treatment."

                            Brayden liked Beckham. It was great for him to actually have a conversation with one of his teammates.

                            "Don't get down," Beckham continued. "People will say stuff. The reporters get down on you. Believe me, I know. I'm 20 and to some, I'm already a bust. You can't let that get you down."

                            "Yeah, there was a writer in Pearl who said some negative things about me," replied Brayden. "He basically wrote a piece that said the Braves were on crack by drafting me as high as they did. It bothered me at first, but once I starting pitching, his tone changed."

                            "Do the same in Montgomery," said Beckham.

                            "Where are you from?" asked Brayden.

                            "I grew up in Georgia, not far from Atlanta," answered Beckham. He laughed. "I'm a Braves fan."

                            "Still?" asked Wiley.

                            "Of course man, that's my team," said Beckham. "Of course, if we ever face them in the World Series, I'll change my tune."

                            They both laughed.

                            Two kids with their whole lives and baseball careers in front of them. Brayden always had the fact that he got traded in the back of his mind, and at times it got him down. Now, he was thankful that it happened.

                            Comment

                            • 12
                              Banned
                              • Feb 2010
                              • 4458

                              #89
                              Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP


                              SLN All-Stars beat SLS All-Stars, 3-2



                              July 12, 2010
                              Milwaukee, Wisconsin
                              Miller Park

                              By Ben Hughes

                              The Southern League All-Star game was played tonight at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

                              The North team came away with a 3-2 over the South behind a big day from West Tennessee shortstop Carlos Triunfel.

                              Brayden Wiley got the start for the South, and struggled in his one inning of work. Wiley gave up two hits to start the game, and then struck out the next two hitters. With two outs in the first, Wiley faced Triunfel who hit a line drive home run on the first pitch to give the North a 3-0 lead. Wiley then retired the next hitter on a fly out.

                              "It's just an honor to be selected to start this game," said Wiley, who had pitched in the Futures Game the day before. "It's not really the time for me to critique my performance out there. It was one inning of work and I gave a bomb. It happens, but this has been an awesome experience for me."


                              Brayden Wiley (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

                              Triunfel finished the game 2-2 and took home the game's MVP award. His home run was all the North team would need, as Michael Pineda (West Tennessee) would pitch three strong innings.

                              Collin Cowgill had two hits and an RBI for the South team. Matt Dominguez hit a towering home run off of Jeff Collmenter in the bottom of sixth, but that would end the offensive output for the game.

                              "It's always fun to play in these games," said Cowgill after the game. "It's a nice break from the reality of a long season. Now, it's back to the grind."

                              Comment

                              • 12
                                Banned
                                • Feb 2010
                                • 4458

                                #90
                                Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP



                                Biscuits gearing up for second half push, two games out


                                The Montgomery Biscuits are not where they want to be as a team, but overall, the team has played fairly well considering all the player movement that has occurred this season.

                                Perhaps the biggest news in the Minor Leagues over the past week has been the addition of former Mississippi Braves' pitcher Brayden Wiley. Wiley, 19, started both the Futures Game and the Southern League All-Star game and was acquired by the Rays on July 8 in a trade with the Atlanta Braves.

                                Wiley is 6-3 on the year with a 1.99 ERA.

                                "I'm truly excited to be here," said Wiley, who touched ground in Montgomery late last night. "This is a great organization and from what I can see, they're writing the blueprint on how to develop their young players. That's what I'm looking for."

                                Wiley will join a rotation that needs some serious consistency. The Biscuits' pitching staff has a 4.62 team ERA.

                                "Wiley will step in and be our #1 starter right away," said Manager Billy Gardner. "This kid has 'special' written all over him."

                                The Biscuits will look to get continued production from Tim Beckham, Luke Bailey, Drew Anderson and Jeff Malm.

                                Beckham had a solid first half in which he hit .290 with five home runs and 44 RBIs. He also stole 18 bases in 21 attempts and played stellar defense at shortstop.

                                "Offensively, he sets the tone," said Gardner. "Without him, our offense sputters along."

                                Second baseman Drew Anderson hit .300 in the first half with six home runs and 60 RBIs, which leads the league.

                                Catcher Luke Bailey is at a .279 clip and leads the team in home runs with eight.

                                Jeff Malm has struggled at times but has managed a .272 average with seven home runs.

                                "Our offense can be great," said Gardner. "We have the talent, but we need to be more consistent."

                                Jake McGee leads the team with seven first half wins, but has struggled at times with his control. He has 45 walks in 98.1 innings and has posted a 4.49 ERA.

                                Gardner is optimistic that McGee will pitch better in the second half.

                                Matt Gorgen has perhaps been the team's most dominant pitcher. The closer has 20 saves and an ERA of 1.95. He has 31 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched.

                                Right handed phenom Matt Moore recently was called up and is 0-2 with a 6.60 ERA. He'll join the rotation in the second half.

                                The Biscuits will resume their season tomorrow with the Carolina Mudcats on the road. Jake McGee will get the start and will face Mudcats' hurler Pedro Viola.

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