Patrick Weigel Grows Into His Body

KISSIMMEE, Fla.—Righthander Patrick Weigel appeared in two games for a total of only one inning in big league camp before the Braves reassigned him. Even though he did not retire any of the six batters he faced in one of his relief appearances, the 22-year-old late-bloomer excites the Braves with his potential.

Weigel emerged as one of the system’s top prospects in 2016, when he was named the organization’s pitcher of the year. He made 25 starts, tossed 149.2 innings and recorded a 2.47 ERA during a season that began at low Class A Rome and concluded with three starts at Double-A Mississippi.

“A lot of it was just taking the ball every five days and being able to go out there and compete,” Weigel said. “(Rome pitching coach) Dan (Meyer) really helped me stay consistent with my mechanics, my arm slot and release point. I guess a lot of it was just growing into my body.”

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Weigel went undrafted out of high school in Thousand Oaks, Calif., before pitching at three schools—Pacific, Oxnard (Calif.) JC and Houston—in three years. After he touched 99 mph out of the Cougars’ bullpen as a junior, the Braves nabbed him in the seventh round in 2015.

In college, Weigel began his delivery in a deep crouch, but the Braves have simplified his setup so that he is more upright. The change allows him to get more extension, which coincided with a reduction in his WHIP from 1.53 at Rookie-level Danville in 2015 to 1.04 last year.

“Through all the extra camps and other things I’ve done with the Braves, I feel like everything has come together,” Weigel said. “I was thinking about it the other day, about how I went to three different colleges . . . This is the longest I’ve been with one team since I was in high school. It’s been awesome.”

Weigel will probably open the season back at Mississippi.

WIGWAM WISPS

• Adonis Garcia’s hamstring injury gave third baseman Rio Ruiz more at-bats and additional time in big league camp. He could emerge as the Braves’ third baseman if Garcia continues to struggle defensively.

Rule 5 pickup Armando Rivera appeared headed to the disabled list after right shoulder discomfort limited him to two bullpen sessions in spring training. The righthander also missed time in the Venezuelan League with shoulder fatigue.

— Bill Ballew is a writer based in North Carolina

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