Atlanta Braves: 5 Reasons to Be Excited about Arodys Vizcaino

The Atlanta Braves have a rich farm system, especially in the pitching department.

This comes as no surprise to most Braves fans as they've had one of the strongest crop of up-and-coming pitchers in the minors year in and year out since John Schuerholz took over as the general manger in 1990.

This year is no different as the Braves have a plethora of young arms in the starting rotation, bullpen and the minors.

One of those is Arodys Vizcaino, which many Braves fans got a look at last year out of the bullpen.

Here are five reasons why to be excited about the right-hander.

Yet Another Prospect the Yankees Gave Away

I find it ironic that the New York Yankees have yet another great prospect they traded away with the "win at all costs" mentality.

In the last five years, the Yankees have traded away Jesus Montero, Austin Jackson (although it netted them Curtis Granderson), Vizcaino, Daniel McCutchen and Tyler Clippard.

Now, some of their returns were nice, so the moves work. But I wonder, if the Yankees had faith in their Minor League program, then why aren't they using some of their homegrown players?

Then again, they're the Yankees and they've won too many World Series titles to count.

Anyways, it's always nice to get a prospect from the Yankees that ends up panning out, for a player that lasted one or two years on their roster.

Versatility

Versatility is the key to a long and prosperous Major League career.

John Smoltz did it for the Braves, moving to the bullpen from 2001-04.

For Vizcaino, it looks as if he'll be in the bullpen in 2012. But, just like Kris Medlin, he has the ability to start a game should the Braves need him.

This kind of versatility is good for the Braves both on the field and as a bargaining chip.

Can Get 2 Innings

Although he only had 17 appearances in the majors last year, Vizcaino showed he would be able to pitch more than one inning in relief.

This is important, especially when games are out of hand on the positive or negative side.

As we saw last year, the back end of the bullpen was overused throughout the season, playing a part in the Braves' epic collapse last year.

This year, Freddi Gonzalez should have more confidence in his bullpen to finish out games.

The Strikeout

Just like you want to see out of your relief pitchers, Vizcaino can strike out batters.

He had at least one strikeout in 11 out of 17 appearance last year, and struck out the side three different times.

In the minors last year, Vizcaino had 63 strikeouts in 57 innings.

Relief pitchers don't get paid to be a ground-ball or fly-ball pitcher. If Vizcaino can continue to develop in those situations, he'll be one of the better middle relievers in baseball.

One of the Young Guns

Not that it hasn't been mentioned before, but I think it's important to reiterate that Vizcaino is one of many young guns in the Braves' system.

By having 10 pitchers that could start Major League games right now, the Braves have the ability to not only sub one of those guys should there be an injury, but also have the ability to dangle one of their young guns or another starting pitcher on the trading block to bring in a bat.

If that doesn't get you excited, I don't know what will.

The Braves are unlikely to sign a big-money free agent (this year or next), but acquiring players via trade is a good possibility, and should the opportunity present itself, Vizcaino would be one of the pitchers on the block.