Matt Wisler Finds His Footing in Triple-A

could be turning the corner in AAA El Paso. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Making his fifth start for El Paso, Padres’ prospect Matt Wisler delivered his best start yet in pitching the Chihuahua’s to victory on Monday. Reported by Teddy Cahill of MLB.com, Wisler pitched seven innings, only allowing 1 unearned run and 2 hits.

Wisler started the year in Double-A, and quickly proved more than effective at that spot, only allowing 7 ER in 6 starts and striking out 35 in his 30 innings of work at that level.  Since his promotion to Triple-A however, he had struggled mightily. In his 4 starts prior to Monday, he only finished 13 innings and allowed 20 earned runs. The long ball had been his key nemesis, as he had allowed 5 in Triple-A after only allowing 7 in all of 2013 between  Double-A and Single-A Lake Elsinore. He now stands at 1-3 with an 8.85 ERA at El Paso.

As the season progresses, and injuries continue to hit the Padres’ rotation, it will be interesting to see which pitchers get looks and for how long at the major league level. Casey Kelly continues to throw well in the minors as well, and the Padres will keep an eye on pitch counts and soreness of any kind. The other question will be where the Padres stand come mid-to-late July. They will not want to bring up their top arms and start their major league arbitration clock if they do not have too–but might dangle Wisler or Kelly in a trade proposal if they are in contention for a hitter that can make an impact. As long as it isn’t another Ryan Ludwick trade, this would be acceptable.

Good things happened on Monday, but baseball is a long season for a reason. Hopefully the turnaround Monday is a positive sign of things to come for Matt Wisler and the Padres’ pitching fortunes.