Juan Pizarro - Milwaukee Braves

Milwaukee Braves

Juan Pizarro signed with the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1956. After going 27–6 with a 2.06 earned run average in the minors, he made his major league debut on May 4, 1957 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at only twenty years old. He pitched seven strong innings, giving up only one run, however, the Braves managed only two hits off opposing pitcher Vern Law, and Pizzarro lost his debut, 1–0. For the season, he went 5–6 with a 4.62 ERA. The Braves beat the New York Yankees in a seven game World Series that year; Pizarro's only appearance came in Milwaukee's 12–3 loss in game three.

He split 1958 between Milwaukee and the triple A Wichita Braves, and was again included on the Braves' post-season roster as they faced the Yankees in the World Series for the second year in a row. This time the Yankees won the Series in seven games. Pizarro's only appearance again came in a loss in game five.

Pizarro remained with the Braves through 1960, compiling a 23–19 record and 3.93 ERA in Milwaukee. On December 15, 1960, he was traded with Joey Jay to the Cincinnati Reds for Roy McMillan, then immediately sent by the Reds with Cal McLish to the Chicago White Sox for Gene Freese.