Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Bulls beat Tides, 3-2
Wiley dominant in first win

April 22, 2011 -- Norfolk, Virginia

This is what the Durham Bulls expected to see from phenom Brayden Wiley.

Pure, unadulterated dominance.

Wiley got his first win of the season last night in Norfolk in a 3-2 Bulls victory over the Tides.

Wiley was dominant all night, making the Tides' hitters look foolish at the plate.

Wiley ended his night at eight innings pitched, scattering nine hits and allowing two runs. He walked none and struck out a remarkable 13 hitters. He lowered his season ERA to 2.77.

"This is how I can pitch when I'm not giving away free passes," said an upbeat Wiley after the game. "This is why Tampa Bay traded for me. I gave up too many hits, but I worked out a lot of jams."

"It's amazing that starts the night with a 1:1 K/BB ratio, and ends the night with a 2:1 K/BB ratio," said Bulls' Manager Charlie Montoyo. "He showed us why he was put here tonight."

Fernando Perez finished the night 1-5 with a home run and two RBIs. Alex Avila was 2-4 and was responsible for the other run, doubling Reid Fronk home in the sixth inning.

Durham is now 11-5 on the season and will continue their series against the Tides tomorrow in Norfolk.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Durham beats Charlotte, 7-2
Wiley leaves in second inning with unspecified injury

April 27, 2011 -- Charlotte, North Carolina

The Durham Bulls beat the Charlotte Knights last night 7-2 on the road.

Brayden Wiley got the start, but left the game with one out in the second inning after sustaining an unspecified injury. He had struck out two batters up to that point and had not allowed a hit or walk.

"It's unspecified because I don't know what's wrong," said Bulls' Manager Charlie Montoyo. "We don't talk about injuries until the player has been evaluated by a doctor. I can tell you that it's not looking like a serious injury at this point."

Losing Wiley would have devastating effects on the Bulls' season. The lefty has been their best starter so far this season, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.63 ERA. He has 30 strikeouts and 14 walks in 30.2 innings pitched this season.

Wiley could not be reached for comment after the game.

Jake McGee spelled Wiley in long relief duty and got the win, his third of the young season.

Willy Aybar was 1-3 with a three-run home run in the third inning. From there, the Bulls never looked back.

Durham is currently 13-8 on the season and leads their division by two games.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Wiley returns, Bulls defeat Red Wings, 2-0

Wiley throws one-hit shutout

May 2, 2011 -- Rochester, New York

The injury that made Brayden Wiley leave his previous start obviously had very little effect on the lefty.

Wiley pitched a one-hit, complete game shutout against the Rochester Red Wings yesterday at Frontier Field in Rochester.

Wiley struck out eight and only walked one.

The Bulls' were quiet about Wiley's injury, and had refused to talk to the media about it. Apparently, all the injury turned out to be was a slight blister on his left index finger.

"I tell you guys that we pulled him because of a blister, and you start questioning his toughness," said Bulls' Manager Charlie Montoyo. "That's how some of you operate. I simply wasn't going to subject him to that. It was our call to yank him from the game, not his."

Wiley has been on fire as of late, after starting the season slowly. The left handed ace has been getting considerable attention from just about everywhere.

"I get so tired of this post game commentaries on myself," said Wiley after the game. "Let me give you my traditional answer - I pitched well. It felt great to go the distance."

The only runs of the night was scored on one swing of the bat as Bulls' center fielder Desmond Jennings tripled home two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Jennings recently got demoted and was sent to Durham.

"I got some things to iron out here," said Jennings, who was hitting .182 in Tampa Bay. "I'm excited to be here, though. That sounds lame and all, but like I said, I still need a lot of work and the pressures of not hitting in a Major League lineup will help me rediscover some focus."

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Bulls lose to Indians 3-2
Wiley takes second loss of season despite pitching well

May 8, 2011 -- Durham, North Carolina

The Durham Bulls lost a close one-run game last night to the Indianapolis Indians, 3-2.

Brayden Wiley got the start for the Bulls, and pitched seven and two-thirds of five hit ball. He gave up three runs (two earned) while striking out eight and walking one. The loss evened his season record at 2-2, while his ERA is currently at 2.05.

Wiley gave up his first home run of the season to Indians' left fielder Jose Tabata in the third inning.

He was cruising in the eighth when Shawn O'Malley, the Bulls' shortstop, committed his fourth error of the season on a ground ball hit by Pedro Alvarez.

Wiley walked the next hitter and was pulled. He threw 94 pitches.

Desmond Jennings and Alex Avila each finished the game 2-3. Jennings had both of the team's RBIs.

"Our offense hasn't been doing our pitchers any favors lately," said Jennings following the loss. "Offensively, we've got to attack more and play small ball."

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

"Are you really this dumb, Cash?"

Andrew Friedman was a busy man.

As the General Manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, Friedman often had other team's General Manager's wanting a few minutes of his time to discuss the Rays' loaded Minor League system.

Friedman usually cut them off pretty quick, but he tried to listen.

He had promised Brian Cashman that he would call him back. The Rays had just taken two out of three games from the Yankees in New York. Cashman didn't look well; he actually looked pretty stressed.

Working for the Steinbrenner's is shortening that guy's life by a lot, thought Friedman.

Friedman had arrived at his office inside Tropicana Field at 8:30 this morning. He wanted to get the call over quick. He knew Cashman wanted to talk trades, and the problem with that was the Yankees' General Manager felt that other teams in baseball owed it to the Yankees to trade their homegrown talent to them at a discounted rate.

Friedman just didn't see it that way and it was an act that was growing old.

"Get Brian Cashman on the line," said Friedman to his secretary.

"This is Cashman," came the voice on the other line.

"Sound a little more enthusiastic for me next time," said Friedman. "It's a beautiful day."

"Beautiful my ***," said Cashman. "Who is this?"

"Andrew Friedman."

Cashman about jumped out of his chair.

"Andrew! Thanks for calling me back," said Cashman.

"No problem. Listen, I'm pinched for time. I'm flying out to Durham this afternoon to watch the Bulls. You've got five minutes of my time. What's on your mind?"

"What do you think?" asked Cashman.

Friedman hated the arrogance.

"It's not my job to be in your head, Cash," said Friedman. "You have four minutes. Don't make me hang up any sooner. If you bring up Desmond Jennings or Hellickson again, I'm gone."

"No, no, no," said Cashman. "I know those are your untouchables. I still think you messed up by not trading me Hellickson, though."

"You offered Andrew Brackman," replied Friedman. "He's like 26 and is still in Double-A."

"Yeah, yeah," replied Cashman. "Look, the Steinbrenner's have a thing for that kid you have throwing for you down in Durham. The lefty."

"Brayden Wiley," said Friedman. "You're ridiculous, Cash."

"What?"

"Hellickson and Jennings might be our best prospects, but Wiley is the best left handed pitcher I've seen in a long time," said Friedman.

"You're like 19, Andrew. You haven't seen enough talent to make a statement like that."

"So not only do you want my prized pitching prospect, but you also find the need to insult me?" joked Friedman.

"No, but I was just wondering what it would take to get Wiley. How about Phil Hughes, straight up."

Friedman laughed.

"Get the f&#$ out of here with that," replied Friedman. "Hughes is currently 3-4 with a 3.96 ERA. "He's a good young talent, but for Wiley? You're out of your mind. Again."

"What would it take?" asked Cashman.

"It would honestly start with Jesus Montero and Hughes," answered Friedman. "This Wiley kid is the real deal. He told Scott Boras to take a hike when he wanted to represent him. He hates the Yankees, too. You know how I know that? He told me. He said how he hates the business side of baseball and the biggest plus that he saw when he got traded was that he gets to pitch against the Yankees four of five times per year."

"No way," said Cashman.

"Yes way," replied Friedman. "Look Cash, you don't have the chips. I'd begin to think about it if you offered Cano, Montero and Hughes. In case you thought that was sarcasm, it's not. This kid is that good."

"Hughes and cash considerations," said Cashman.

With that, Andrew Friedman hung up on a desperate Brian Cashman.

[AGonzo4mvp2011]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

"Are you really this dumb, Cash?"

Andrew Friedman was a busy man.

As the General Manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, Friedman often had other team's General Manager's wanting a few minutes of his time to discuss the Rays' loaded Minor League system.

Friedman usually cut them off pretty quick, but he tried to listen.

He had promised Brian Cashman that he would call him back. The Rays had just taken two out of three games from the Yankees in New York. Cashman didn't look well; he actually looked pretty stressed.

Working for the Steinbrenner's is shortening that guy's life by a lot, thought Friedman.

Friedman had arrived at his office inside Tropicana Field at 8:30 this morning. He wanted to get the call over quick. He knew Cashman wanted to talk trades, and the problem with that was the Yankees' General Manager felt that other teams in baseball owed it to the Yankees to trade their homegrown talent to them at a discounted rate.

Friedman just didn't see it that way and it was an act that was growing old.

"Get Brian Cashman on the line," said Friedman to his secretary.

"This is Cashman," came the voice on the other line.

"Sound a little more enthusiastic for me next time," said Friedman. "It's a beautiful day."

"Beautiful my ***," said Cashman. "Who is this?"

"Andrew Friedman."

Cashman about jumped out of his chair.

"Andrew! Thanks for calling me back," said Cashman.

"No problem. Listen, I'm pinched for time. I'm flying out to Durham this afternoon to watch the Bulls. You've got five minutes of my time. What's on your mind?"

"What do you think?" asked Cashman.

Friedman hated the arrogance.

"It's not my job to be in your head, Cash," said Friedman. "You have four minutes. Don't make me hang up any sooner. If you bring up Desmond Jennings or Hellickson again, I'm gone."

"No, no, no," said Cashman. "I know those are your untouchables. I still think you messed up by not trading me Hellickson, though."

"You offered Andrew Brackman," replied Friedman. "He's like 26 and is still in Double-A."

"Yeah, yeah," replied Cashman. "Look, the Steinbrenner's have a thing for that kid you have throwing for you down in Durham. The lefty."

"Brayden Wiley," said Friedman. "You're ridiculous, Cash."

"What?"

"Hellickson and Jennings might be our best prospects, but Wiley is the best left handed pitcher I've seen in a long time," said Friedman.

"You're like 19, Andrew. You haven't seen enough talent to make a statement like that."

"So not only do you want my prized pitching prospect, but you also find the need to insult me?" joked Friedman.

"No, but I was just wondering what it would take to get Wiley. How about Phil Hughes, straight up."

Friedman laughed.

"Get the f&#$ out of here with that," replied Friedman. "Hughes is currently 3-4 with a 3.96 ERA. "He's a good young talent, but for Wiley? You're out of your mind. Again."

"What would it take?" asked Cashman.

"It would honestly start with Jesus Montero and Hughes," answered Friedman. "This Wiley kid is the real deal. He told Scott Boras to take a hike when he wanted to represent him. He hates the Yankees, too. You know how I know that? He told me. He said how he hates the business side of baseball and the biggest plus that he saw when he got traded was that he gets to pitch against the Yankees four of five times per year."

"No way," said Cashman.

"Yes way," replied Friedman. "Look Cash, you don't have the chips. I'd begin to think about it if you offered Cano, Montero and Hughes. In case you thought that was sarcasm, it's not. This kid is that good."

"Hughes and cash considerations," said Cashman.

With that, Andrew Friedman hung up on a desperate Brian Cashman.

This is a great story man, keep it going! I'm very interested in your next post

[AGonzo4mvp2011]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

This is a great story man, keep it going! I'm very interested in your next post

Maybe you could give me some advice, I have a right handed starter I'm working on, he has a 4-seam, 2-seam, circle change and slurve, I was thinking about adding a cutter, and ideas or thoughts about the cutter or a different 5th pitch

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Bulls get blasted by Chiefs, 10-5
Wiley gets shelled

May 13, 2011 -- Syracuse, New York

Brayden Wiley had his roughest start of the season last night in Syracuse against the Chiefs.

Wiley couldn't make it out of the third inning. His final line for the night was 2.2 innings pitched, 7 hits, 7 runs, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. He is now 2-3 on the season with a 3.28 ERA.

"I've got to pitch better than that, obviously," said Wiley. "I didn't hit my spots and I was leaving the ball up in the zone. They have a great lineup and you just can't do that. I'll have to make adjustments."

Charlie Montoyo was not discouraged by Wiley's performance.

"Sometimes, it's just not your day," said the Bulls' Manager. "It happens. He has been our best pitcher [along with Hellickson] so far this season and he'll bounce right back in his next start."

Carlos Delgado went 3-5 with three RBIs for the Chiefs and Robert Bernadina had three hits and five RBIs.

Offensively, Durham was led by Desmond Jennings who had three hits in five at-bats. He is now hitting .333 on the season. Alex Avila finished 2-3 with a pair of RBIs.

The Bulls have lost four out of their past six games and currently have a 19-17 record. They lead the International League's South Division by two games over the Norfolk Tides.

The series resumes tomorrow at 1:05. Jeremy Hellickson (3-0, 2.95) will get the start for the Bulls, while Garrett Mock (0-3, 8.44) will get the start for the Chiefs.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Bulls come back and beat Bisons, 5-4
Wiley gives up grand slam

May 18, 2011 -- Durham, North Carolina

It was one of the longest home runs ever hit in the International League's history.

LaTroy Goins, the Bisons' right fielder, got a perfect belt-level fastball from Bulls' pitcher Brayden Wiley and the result was a 466-foot blast that emptied the bases.

"I killed that pitch," said Goins after the game. It's too bad we couldn't get the win."

The Bulls fell behind 4-0 in the seventh inning following the grand slam. Wiley finished the inning but was relieved in the eighth.

He finished the night with 6 innings pitched, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 6. With the no-decision, he is still 2-3 on the season but raised his ERA to 3.58.

"I've struggled this past few games, but I'll work the kinks out," said Wiley. "My command is still raw, still not where it needs to be."

The Bulls began their comeback in the eighth inning when Fernando Perez led the inning off with a double. The next batter, Joe Dillon, hit a two-run home run to cut the lead in half. Desmond Jennings came up next and hit a triple. Alex Avila then hit a sac fly to make the score 4-3.

The Bulls scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win the game, 5-4.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Current Scouting Report:
Brayden Wiley, Durham Bulls' Starting Pitcher

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Red Sox beat Bulls 7-6, Wiley takes loss
Lefty continues his slump

May 23, 2011 -- Durham, North Carolina

"I've never been in a slump like this before."

That's what Brayden Wiley said after last night's game, after pitching 4 innings. He gave up 7 hits and allowed 4 runs, while striking out 2 and walking 4. He is now 2-4 on the season with a 3.97 ERA.

"We'll see how I pull out of this," said Wiley. "I'm definitely in a slump. I feel like everything I throw, it's getting hit hard. I am walking way too many guys. I have to rebound."

There were reporters asking Bulls' Manager Charlie Montoyo if Wiley would be better served to go down to Double-A Montgomery to work out the kinks.

"No," answered Montoyo. "That's too extreme right now. He hasn't pitched that horrible, it's just that a lot of people, myself included, expect a lot out of him. I have no doubt that he'll bounce back."

Alex Avila finished 1-4 with a three-run home run in the seventh inning and Justin Ruggiano had a two-RBI double in a five-run seventh inning, but ultimately the hole Wiley dug the Bulls was simply too much to overcome.

Wiley will get his next scheduled start in Buffalo against the Bisons on Sunday.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Update:

Hey guys,

I have bumped the difficulty up to All-Star and have increased the CPU's hitting sliders. The user sliders are still set to the default settings.

I am getting good results but have just had some bad games lately. It seems when I give up some hits, my control gets worse.

I know the game summaries are brief right now and don't show a lot of detail, but that will change once I make it to the Bigs.

As always, feedback is appreciated.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Wiley out duels Pelfrey, Bulls win
Wiley breaks out of slump

May 29, 2011 -- Buffalo, New York

Sometimes, one run is all it takes.

Especially when you have Brayden Wiley on the mound.

The Durham Bulls beat the Buffalo Bisons 1-0 last night, behind a dominant pitching performance by Wiley.

Pelfrey gave the Bulls all he could handle, pitching 7 innings and only allowing 1 run on 4 hits. Pelfrey struck out 9.

Wiley was better, if only by a little. The lefty broke out of a mini slump and ended his three game losing streak.

The lefty went 7 innings, giving up 4 hits. He did not give up a run and he struck out 4 while walking none. He lowered his season ERA to 3.59.

"I really needed a game like this," said Wiley following the win. "I wasn't trying to overpower guys today; I was trying to pitch smart and not give the Bisons anything extra, anything easy. It worked for me."

The lone run of the game came on a Shawn O'Malley single in the seventh inning, scoring Fernando Perez.

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Durham downs Syracuse, 4-2
Wiley solid again, gets no-decision

June 3, 2011 -- Durham, North Carolina

The Durham Bulls beat the Syracuse Chiefs last night in Durham, 4-2.

Brayden Wiley got the start for the Bulls and was in control for much of the night. He finished the game with 7 innings pitched, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs (both unearned). He struck out 11 and walked 2. He lowered his season ERA to 3.18.

"When this guy is on his game, he's as good as any lefty I've ever seen," said Syracuse first baseman Carlos Delgado. "That's high praise, because I've faced a lot of great lefties over my career, but this kid was lights out. He struck me out three times and that's not easy."

Said Wiley, "I appreciate the comments from Carlos. I felt good tonight, my fastball had great movement and my curve and slider were pretty good. When I'm hitting my targets, I know I can be pretty tough."

Wiley got a no-decision, but pitched well enough to keep his team in the game.

The Bulls' offense was led by Willy Aybar, who finished 2-3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Aybar is now hitting .288 on the season.

The Bulls are currently 27-29 and trail the Norfolk Tides by three games in the South Division.

"We need to put a string of good games together and get some wins," said Bulls' Manager Charlie Montoyo. "We've struggled over the past few weeks. Hopefully today is the start of a nice win streak."

[12]

Re: Road to the Show: Brayden Wiley, LHP

Durham beats Charlotte, 6-2
Wiley gets second no-decision in a row

June 8, 2011 -- Durham, North Carolina

Brayden Wiley was solid again in his start against the Charlotte Knights, pitching 7 innings and only allowing 3 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) and striking out 6. He got his second no-decision in a row.

The Bulls beat the Knights last night in Durham by a score of 6-2.

"I pitched well, but I can still tell that I'm not where I want to be," said Wiley after the game. "I think I am still kind of in a funk, despite the solid numbers. I'm not as confident as I could be."

That makes little sense considering Wiley was in control throughout the whole contest. In the eighth inning, second baseman Shawn O'Malley threw a ball into left field on a double play attempt. Wiley was pulled after the play.

"The inning should have been over but I blew it," said O'Malley after the game. "If I were [Brayden], I'd be upset that I cost him a win tonight."

Garland Matthiesen finished the night 2-5 with a grand slam home run and 5 RBIs. O'Malley was 2-4 with a single and a double.

The Bulls are now 29-32 and trail the Norfolk Tides by three games in the South Division.

They will continue their series against Charlotte tomorrow night in Durham.