ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves continue to acquire as much pitching as possible.
The club, which built it sting of success from 1991-2005 on its Hall of Fame pitching staff, added another highly touted young arm in a trade with Arizona. The Braves snapped up right-hander Touki Toussaint, who was Arizona’s 2014 first-round draft choice and rated as the organization’s No. 4 prospect.
Toussaint, 19, was 2-2 with a 3.69 ERA in seven starts for Class A Kane County. In 39 innings he had 29 strikeouts and 15 walks. The Braves had coveted Toussaint a year ago, but he was long gone by the time their pick came around. Toussaint was ranked as the No. 71 overall prospect by Baseball America.
“We are always on the lookout for big talent,” general manager John Hart said. “This trade gives us a young upside pitcher we value highly.”
The trade also acquired veteran right-hander Brandon Arroyo, an innings-eating former All-Star, who had Tommy John surgery almost a year ago. Arroyo, 38, is expected to return in mid-August and could work in the rotation or out of the bullpen.
The Braves were willing to take Arroyo, despite a contract that will pay him $9.5 million this season and $11 million in 2016, with a $4.5 million buyout.
The Braves sent infielder Phil Gosselin to the Diamondbacks. Gosselin was hitting .325 when he fractured his left thumb on May 18. Gosselin should be available to return in mid-June.
The Braves chose 24 pitchers in the recent draft, including first-round pick Kolby Allard. Since taking over as general manager last fall, John Hart has acquired current ace Shelby Miller, Mike Foltynewicz, Matt Wisler, who have each started for Atlanta. He’s also brought in big-time prospects like Manny Banuelos, Tyrell Jenkins and Max Fried.