Braves reliever makes huge first impression against Phillies stars with 'unhittable' pitch

Atlanta Braves pitcher Ken Giles.

Atlanta Braves reliever Ken Giles made as good a first impression as possible during the team’s spring training game against the rival Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.

The former star closer entered the contest to start the bottom of the third with the game tied at three.

Giles was tasked with facing three of the Phillies’ best hitters in first baseman Bryce Harper, outfielder Nick Castellanos and first baseman Alec Bohm.

He struck out the side in order, throwing nine of his 15 pitches for strikes, and showcased what Jayson Stark of The Athletic called “unhittable” sliders.

Castellanos and Harper have a combined nine All-Star honors and four Silver Slugger awards, while the latter is a two-time NL MVP.

Castellanos led a stacked Philadelphia lineup in RBI (106), doubles (37) and total bases (298) last season, Bohm was third in RBI (97) and Harper paced the team with his .900 OPS and .293/.401/.499 slash line.

Giles’ effort was particularly impressive given what he’s gone through in the last few years.

The 33-year-old was selected by the Phillies in the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft and after two solid seasons in their bullpen from 2014-15, he was traded to the Houston Astros in December 2015. That’s where Giles had the most success.

He had the best season of his career in 2017, finishing tied for second in the American League in games finished (career-high 55) and tied for fourth in saves (career-high 34).

Giles had major struggles in the 2017 postseason, but still earned a World Series ring with Houston.

The right-hander was sent to the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2018 and spent two-plus seasons in Canada. Giles then missed all of the 2021 campaign with the Seattle Mariners after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He began the 2022 season on the injured list with a right middle finger sprain that he suffered in spring training as well.

Giles was designated for assignment in August 2022 and joined the San Francisco Giants minor league system before being released.

Giles signed a minor league contract with the Braves in early February, a deal that will pay him $1.75M if he makes it back to the majors. He’s off to a good start.

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