The Braves have released veteran righty Nick Vincent from their Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett, per the transactions log at MiLB.com. The 35-year-old Vincent inked a minor league deal back on March 20.
Long one of the game’s more underappreciated relievers, Vincent has pitched at least 12 1/3 innings in the Majors every year dating back to his 2012 debut with the Padres. He’s worked to a sub-4.00 ERA in eight of those campaigns and notched identical marks of 4.43 in the other two. Overall, he sports a career 3.30 ERA with an above-average 24.1% strikeout rate and a very strong 6.2% walk rate in 411 2/3 Major League innings.
Despite that track record, Vincent has been outrighted three times in his big league career and has been relegated to minor league deals in free agency in recent years. The soft-tossing righty’s lack of velocity likely hasn’t helped his cause when it comes to appealing to modern front offices; Vincent’s heater has never averaged even 91 mph in a given big league season, and he averaged just 89.3 mph on the pitch in his 12 2/3 frames with the Twins in 2021. He’s typically offset that lack of zip on his fastball via pristine walk rates, a knack for inducing weak contact (career 87.2 mph average exit velocity, 32.2% hard-hit rate) and a better-than-average rate at keeping the ball in the yard.
Vincent’s time in Gwinnett didn’t go particularly smoothly, as he was tagged for 16 runs (albeit only 11 of them earned) in 19 2/3 innings. However, he was also dogged by a sky-high .462 batting average on balls in play, and his 30.7% strikeout rate and 4.5% walk rate were both excellent. Yesterday’s implementation of a maximum 13-man pitching staff likely doesn’t help Vincent’s cause in getting another big league look, but the majority of teams have more pronounced bullpen needs than the Braves currently do, so he ought to latch on elsewhere sooner than later.
Never trust a fella with two first names.
Much better than guys with two last names who usually never got any dirt under their fingernails.
Rumor has it Logan Webb’s fingernails are filthy.
Gaylord Perry, two first names and allegedly stuff under his fingernails and many other places!
I’m a Tigers fan. I wouldn’t mind them picking him up to strengthen their pen. All the analytics nowadays has its place. But I don’t care that he doesn’t throw 95. He has a proven track record of getting the job done. Gets his Ks, limits BBs, and gets weak contact. The game is too in love with HRs and high heat.
Fello Tigré fan, I agree 100%. I know he’s been decent, but maybe send down Rony Garcia to stretch him out as a SP maybe?
Had the pleasure of being friends with nick and his brother Chris in high school. Remember the first time he pitched at lake Elsinore, single A ball and we were all so stoked. It was even more cool to watch him pitch for our hometown padres. Hope nick lands on his feet somewhere!
He will. A 30.7% strikeout rate and 4.5% walk rate, even in AAA, will get someone’s attention. However, the number of homers the past couple years suggests hitters are viewing his offerings like slow-pitch beer-league softball.
FOREVER GIANT
Analytics tend to lean heavily towards high ocatane throwers. But there’s something to be said about a bullpen changing up looks. I’m a firm believer that going from someone who throws pure gas to a submariner or someone who throws in the 80’s. I would imagine it has to create at least some sort of competetive advantage.
I would like to agree, but sometimes it’s the exact opposite. Batters eyes light up with joy as they see an 85mph fastball that looks like slow motion after trying to catchup to someone throwing close to 100mph. It’s hard to prove with metrics, but I tend to notice batters do well against bullpens on rare occasions when the opposing ace had to be removed for whatever reason.
Where are the Tekulve, Quisenberry and Garber of today?
Ahh but of course. Frank Vincent’s son
I think the Braves got one too many submarine pitchers now