Tyler Mahle is becoming another classic Alex Anthopoulos find

Despite Alex Anthopoulos spouting off about adding a frontline starter, the only arm the Braves brought in was Tyler Mahle, a pending free agent sporting an ERA north of 5.00 who cost about the price of a bag of potato chips. On the bullpen front, it was more of the same: a small deal with the Angels for Brent Suter, another guy who isn’t even a guarantee to make the playoff roster when October arrives.

It was underwhelming, especially when it was later revealed the Braves were willing to give up any of their top prospects for Tarik Skubal, and that they had a deal in place for Jacob deGrom before he nixed it by invoking his no-trade clause. Anthopoulos was left hoping a change of scenery was just what the doctor ordered for Mahle — and so far, he’s looking like another one of the Braves’ patented under-the-radar finds.

The 31-year-old was on the mound last night against the Mets, making his home debut after tossing six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in the Bronx last week. He gave up a run this time — a solo shot in the sixth — but it was that close to being another flawless outing.

As trade deadline acquisitions go, nobody can say they’ve gotten more out of one than the Braves have from Mahle through the first two weeks, even if the sample size is miniscule. He’s now pitched 12 innings and allowed just one run with 16 strikeouts. That’s good for a 0.75 ERA and 2.00 FIP. And there’s reason to believe it can continue.

Despite carrying a 5.13 ERA prior to being traded to Atlanta, Mahle had been much better since a month-long stint on the IL. He returned in late June and now owns a 3.06 ERA and 3.22 FIP over his last nine starts, averaging nearly a strikeout per inning.

Mahle also put up really good numbers a year ago for the Rangers, posting a 2.18 ERA over 16 starts, and he’s had other strong seasons as well — like when he recorded 4.9 WAR for the Reds back in 2021. The Braves got a more than capable pitcher when the stars align, and Anthopoulos didn’t need to see these last two starts to know that.

“We’ve liked him in the past and we’ve followed him,” Anthopoulos said of Tyle Mahle following the trade deadline. “He’s really good against left-handers. … We still think we can make some improvements against right-handers.”

Anthopoulos is far from an infallible GM. He’s made his fair share of mistakes, and his unwillingness to pay the price it costs to acquire top-flight starting pitching has plagued this organization dearly over the years. That may be what dooms the Braves once again come October — but what can’t be argued is his ability to find value where the rest of the league isn’t looking.

It’s his specialty, and Mahle is trending toward being the latest example. He has quality stuff, a decent enough track record, and nobody should ever underestimate what moving to a contending club can do for a pitcher — especially when the new organization employs guys like Jeremy Hefner and Sean Murphy, who can work magic with arms.

That might be the secret formula that leads to a memorable final couple of months for Tyler Mahle in Atlanta.