The Chicago Cubs sent starting pitcher Ryan Dempster to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for 22-year-old starting pitcher Randall Delgado.
The Braves land a 35-year-old right-handed starter who is pitching at the peak of his abilities right now. Dempster sports a 2.11 ERA with a 5-5 record. He recently lost a 33 consecutive scoreless innings streak.
As for the Cubs, Delgado represents an instant upgrade in their greatest area of need. The right-handed Delgado owns a 4.42 ERA with a 4-9 record this season. A member of the Atlanta system since he was 17, Delgado blossomed in 2012 when he posted a 3.30 ERA in A+ and AA. Delgado followed that up in 2011 with a 3.88 ERA while pitching in AA and AAA before earning seven late season starts in the bigs. As a 21-year-old, Delgado finished the season with a 2.83 ERA over 35 IP.
The 6’3″, 200 pound Delgado has a live arm and averages 7.2 K/9 IP this year. Delgado throws a fastball, curveball and changeup. His fastball averages 92 MPH, his curve 79 MPH and his changeup 83 MPH. He averages about 4 BB/9 IP and most recently allowed 2 ER over 6 IP against the Washington Nationals on July 21. Delgado’s WHIP is 1.43 this season. The Panamanian was the Braves #3 prospect entering the 2012 season, according to Baseball America.
This trade works well for both clubs as Atlanta (52-43) picks up a quality starter to help them down the stretch and Chicago (38-56) picks up a young arm to develop for the future.
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