Braves Swap Heyward, Walden To Cardinals For Two Pitchers

ATLANTA -- Braves president of baseball operations John Hart's appreciation for Jason Heyward did not prevent him from trading the Gold Glove outfielder to the Cardinals for Shelby Miller and another right-hander who might also eventually become part of Atlanta's rotation.

The Braves announced early Monday afternoon that they had traded Heyward and right-handed reliever Jordan Walden to the Cardinals in exchange for Miller and Tyrell Jenkins, an athletic Minor League hurler who possesses definite upside.

Instead of bringing Heyward back with the uncertainty of whether he would exit as a free agent after the 2015 season, the Braves opted to use him to strengthen their rotation with Miller, a 24-year-old former first-round Draft selection who has been a key part of St.

Louis' rotation the past two seasons.

With the oft-injured Walden set to make approximately $3 million via arbitration in 2015, there was an assumption the Braves would move him. His inclusion in this package allowed for it to be enhanced by Jenkins, a 6-foot-4, 204-pound pitcher who was widely regarded as the most athletic pitcher available in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Heyward has stood as one of the Braves' most popular players dating back to when he was selected in the first round of the 2007 Draft. The talented outfielder showed great promise as he progressed through his rookie season in 2010 at just 20 years old, then endured a disappointing injury-marred 2011 season. He seemed to find his groove when he hit 27 homers and stole 21 bases in 2012. But in the 253 games he has played over the past two seasons, he has totaled just 25 homers and 22 stolen bases.

While Heyward will likely fill St. Louis' right-field void that was created by Oscar Taveras' tragic death in October, Miller provides the Braves a front-line starter in a rotation that also includes Julio Teheran, Mike Minor and Alex Wood.

Miller, who was taken with the 19th overall pick in the 2009 Draft, has produced a 3.36 ERA in 63 starts for St. Louis. The big right-hander produced a 3.06 ERA during his rookie season in 2013, then posted a 3.74 mark while totaling 183 innings this season.

After struggling in the middle of this season, Miller produced a 1.65 ERA and limited opponents to a .185 batting average in his final six regular-season starts. He pitched effectively during his National League Division Series start against the Dodgers, then struggled against the Giants in the NL Championship Series.

Jenkins was a two-sport high school athlete who declined the opportunity to play quarterback at Baylor University. He posted a 3.28 ERA in 13 starts for Class A Palm Beach this year, then opened some eyes as he produced 28 strikeouts and a 2.22 ERA in 24 1/3 innings for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League.

Coming out of Henderson (Texas) High in 2010, Jenkins rated as the most athletic pitcher in the Draft. Besides his baseball prowess, he was also Baylor's top quarterback recruit, lettered in basketball and ran a 49-second quarter-mile in a relay without any track training. Signed for $1.3 million as the 50th overall pick (supplemental first round), he made slow progress before having shoulder surgery in August 2013. Jenkins rebounded strongly this season, reclaiming his 91-96 mph fastball and hard curveball. He's never missed as many bats as his stuff indicates he should, though he did a better job of throwing strikes in 2014. He went 6-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 13 starts for high Class A Palm Beach, posting a 41/23 K/BB ratio in 74 innings before pitching well in the Arizona Fall League. (Jim Callis)

--- Source:MLB.com