The Atlanta Braves have bolstered their high-minors relief pitching depth by signing left-handed pitcher Zach Logue to a minor league deal, as reported by MLB Insider Jon Heyman. Logue, 28, was initially a 9th-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2017 MLB Draft from the University of Kentucky.
Having been part of the Matt Chapman deal that moved him to the Oakland Athletics in March 2022, Logue found himself claimed by the Detroit Tigers after being waived following the season. In 68 career MLB innings, including 57 with Oakland, he holds a 3-8 record with a 6.88 ERA across 17 games, 10 of which were starts. His strikeout rate stands at 6.9 per nine innings, with 22 walks (2.9).
While Logue’s acquisition serves as additional depth for the Braves, it is not guaranteed to yield significant results. The left-hander struggled in the AAA minor leagues, posting a 6.58 ERA in 90.1 innings for AAA Toledo (Detroit) in the previous season, following an 8.12 ERA in 78.2 innings for AAA Las Vegas (Oakland) the year before.
In terms of his pitching arsenal, Logue featured four pitches as a starter for Oakland in 2022, including a four-seam fastball (90mph), a cutter, curve, and changeup. During his relief appearances last season, he reduced the usage of his cutter in favor of an increased reliance on the curveball. This adjustment appeared to have a positive impact, reflected in his lower xERA (expected ERA) of 3.63 compared to his actual 7.36 ERA. Despite a relatively low strikeout rate, Logue demonstrated low hard-hit rates with the adjusted pitch mix, presenting a potential area for development that the Braves may capitalize on.
