Colorado Rockies RHP Tyler Kinley, 34, has been traded to the Atlanta Braves for RHP Austin Smith, an 18th-round pick in 2021, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Kinley is in his sixth season with the Rockies. Per Spotrac, Kinley is earning $4 million this season and has a club option next season for $5 million. Smith was currently playing for Double-A Columbus in the Braves’ minor league system.
Report: Tyler Kinley Traded to Braves
The Rockies at 28-79 are clear sellers at the deadline, and Kinley is the second domino to fall, in addition to the trade of veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees. In an interview with Colorado Morning News on iHeartRadio on Monday, Rockies insider Thomas Harding reported that pretty much the entire Rockies roster would be available outside of star shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. He mentioned Kinley as a likely reliever to be dealt, as he has been pitching very well recently.
Kinley has posted a 5.66 ERA due to a rough May and June, but has been one of the Rockies’ most reliable relievers in July. In 11 July outings, Kinley has allowed just three earned runs across two outings. He has not allowed a run since July 7 against the Boston Red Sox. In eight games since then, he has posted a stellar 12:1 K: BB ratio. Per Statcast, Kinley is in the 95th percentile league-wide with an 86.3 average. exit velo and 97th percentile with a 30.6 hard hit percentage. He also has an xERA of 3.62, which takes into account the park that a pitcher plays at.
What Kinley Brings to the Braves
Kinley relies heavily on a slider that averages 87.3 mph (60% usage rate), followed by a 4-seam fastball (26%) and curveball (12%). He is returning to the National League East after two seasons with the Miami Marlins in 2018-19. He was a dependable reliever during his time with the Rockies. Including a stellar start to the 2022 season, when he posted a 0.75 ERA in 24 innings pitched. But Kinley suffered a devastating injury, resulting in a surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right elbow. He did not return until August 2023 and has not reached that level again since returning. But will look to get it again now that he will not be pitching at altitude.
Kinley joins an Atlanta Braves squad that has been underachieving, currently sitting at 45-61 and fourth in the NL East. The Braves’ bullpen is currently middle of the pack with a 4.16 ERA, per Covers.com. But Kinley, at his best, was a solid setup man for the Rockies. If he can continue the strong momentum he has built in July, Kinley will be a quality addition to a Braves team trying to fight its way out of the NL East cellar.
Main Photo Credits: David Richard-Imagn Images
The post Report: Rockies RHP Tyler Kinley Traded to Braves appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.