The Cubs traded Paul Maholm, Reed Johnson and cash to the Atlanta Braves on Monday night for right-handed pitchers Arodys Vizcaino and Jaye Chapman.
Baseball America ranked Arodys Vizcaino as the second best prospect in the Braves’ system prior to the season. Vizcaino had Tommy John surgery in March and is expected to be ready for Spring Training. Vizcaino made 17 relief appearances for the Braves a year ago and posted a 1-1 record with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP (17 strikeouts and nine walks in 17 1/3 innings). Arodys Vizcaino posted a 5-5 record in 26 games, 17 starts, with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in three stops in the Braves’ system a year ago. In 97 innings, Vizcaino struck out 100 batters and walked 28. Prior to Tommy John surgery, the 21-year old right hander threw a mid-90s fastball with a sharp breaking ball that was described as a plus-pitch and made improvement with his change-up last season. Vizcaino responded well to pitching out of the pen and Baseball America thought he could end up in the pen with the depth of starters in the Braves’ system. Baseball America pointed out that Vizcaino had the potential to be a number two or number three starter at the big league level.
Arodys Vizcaino’s page on Baseball-Reference
Jaye Chapman, a 25-year old right hander, was the 16th round pick of the Braves in the 2005 draft. In his second stint at the Triple-A level, Chapman posted a 3-6 record in 40 relief appearances this season with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP (60 strikeouts and 29 walks in 53 2/3 innings).
Jaye Chapman’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Both Arodys Vizcaino and Jaye Chapman will be added to the Cubs’ 40-man roster. With the additions of Vizcaino and Chapman and the subtractions of Paul Maholm and Reed Johnson, the Cubs’ 40 man roster currently stands at 40 players.
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