Preacher
05-18-2008, 03:49 AM
Braves Minor League Pitcher Rankings
By: Preacher (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=194) | Braves-Nation.com
I wanted to try and rank our minor league pitchers while at the same time predicting what type of hurler they could potentially become. Keep in mind this is very subjective, as I've only been able to see most of these guys play once or twice; so if you have any differing opinions please let me know.
I've broken down the pitchers based on how good I think they could become if they reach their ceiling and stay healthy; something many of them will obviously not do.
Ace Starter
None
Weak #1 or strong #2
1. Cole Rohrbough
Needs to improve his changeup; but his fastball knuckle-curve combo makes hitters look silly. Throws harder than a typical lefty, nice upside.
2. Charlie Morton
Very good fastball velocity and also throws a superb curveball; mixes in a decent slider and changeup. If he can fine tune his other offerings and keep his mental approach strong; he could be lights out.
3. Jeff Locke
Very projectable lefty. Throws a fastball with lots of movement, and throws it harder than the typical left hander at 90-94. Has a nice curve that should become an out pitch and shows an improved changeup. Gives hitters a tough time with his jerky delivery. Gets high marks for intagibles and should add velocity as he matures.
4. Julio Teheran
To be completely honest; I have no idea where to rank Julio. I've obviously never seen him pitch and he certainly hasn't proven anything. However, since this list is based on potential; I've put him up this high. I find it hard to believe the Braves would spend almost a million dollars on the kid if they didn't think they had something special. Word out of extended is that he's looked phenominal; and that he'll be headed to Rome very soon.
Weak #2 or Strong #3
5. Tommy Hanson
Tommy has great command, and displays excellent mound presence; he throws two very good pitches, a fastball and a curveball. I think he's going to give up a few homeruns against better hitters, his fastball doesn't move a lot and he's going to need to improve his change up. Very good prospect.
6. Erik Cordier
Erik just can't stay healthy; but he has big time legitimate stuff. Hopefully all the stars align for him and he can get on the field. I love this trade; if he works out or not.
7. Eric Barrett
Quality quality lefty that not many people talk about. Throws hard 90-94 and has a strong curveball and good changeup. Scouts rave about his work ethic and determination. I like this kid a lot.
8. Cory Rasmus
Like Cordier injuries have derailed his career; but he has legitimate power stuff. Cory throws a mid 90's fastball with a knee-buckling curveball and a good changeup. Scouts thought his delivery may lead to injury and so far they've been right.
Middle of the rotation starter
9. Deunte Heath
Strong big framed pitcher; mid 90's fastball with average-good secondary offerings. Control is an issue; nice upside.
10. Steven Evarts
Throws a great changeup with a fastball that sits right around 90 MPH. Has some injury concerns and still needs to master his breaking ball.
11. Chad Rodgers
Another promising lefty in the system; scouts think he'll pick up a little more velocity as he matures. Good command, fastball and curve; needs to improve his changeup.
12-13. Edgar Osuna and Jose Ortegano
Osuna and Ortegano are very similar soft tossing lefties. Both pitchers have had a tremendous amount of success so far; but it's unclear if they'll be able to replicate that success against more advanced hitters.
14. Gonzalo Lopez
I'm probably ranking him too high; he's had injury problems, questions about his makeup and he's struggling this year. I saw Gonzalo Lopez pitch a game in 2004; and filthy didn't describe his fastball. He has the ability to throw pitches that scare hitters into swinging; simply so they can get the at-bat over with. I'm not sure how he's throwing this season; but if he can regain his stuff, watch out.
15. Ryne Reynoso
Ryne was an outfielder at BC so he was raw coming into the system; despite that he's adjusted well. Very good arm and he throws in the mid 90's; my guess is he'll become a reliever down the road.
16. Kyle Coefield
Very raw when drafted; good curveball, fastball in the low to mid 90's, and a changeup that needs some work. Tall lanky pitcher could add some velocity to fastball and shoot up the charts. High upside.
17. Dustin Evans
Hasn't lived up to expectations; Evans has simply been smacked around. Throws very hard and has a good fast slider, but has been hittable. Will probably become a reliever down the road.
Back end of the rotation starter (in no order)
Scott Diamond
Good lefty, commands decent stuff. Off to a very good start this year.
Kelvin Villa
Pitcher coming off of TJS; didn't come back with quite the same stuff as he had before. Pitches around 89-91, but still has quality offerings.
Chris Vines
Typical undersized "crafty" lefty.
Jairo Cuevas
Should be much better than he is; has major legue quality pitches and can throw well into the 90's; but never seems to be able to put it together.
Johnny Venters
Lanky lefty with decent stuff who walks far too many batters.
Francisley Bueno
Now 27 years old and still trying to learn the finer points of pitching.
Jeff Lyman
No longer starting and pitching better out of the pen.
Carlos Sencion
Needs to put things together; 24 years old and struggling in AA.
James Parr
Big heart, great competitor and very average stuff.
Dan Smith
Hitters have finally caught up to him.
Anthony Lerew
Hopefully he can finally get the best of the injuries that robbed what could've been an interesting career.
Todd Redmond
Could definately see him develop into a innings eater at the backend of some teams rotation.
I did all of this on a whim and if you asked me tommorrow I might move five up these guys up and drop six or seven down. I tried to rank these guys based on what they could potentially become; obviously percentages tell us most of them won't make it there.
By: Preacher (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=194) | Braves-Nation.com
I wanted to try and rank our minor league pitchers while at the same time predicting what type of hurler they could potentially become. Keep in mind this is very subjective, as I've only been able to see most of these guys play once or twice; so if you have any differing opinions please let me know.
I've broken down the pitchers based on how good I think they could become if they reach their ceiling and stay healthy; something many of them will obviously not do.
Ace Starter
None
Weak #1 or strong #2
1. Cole Rohrbough
Needs to improve his changeup; but his fastball knuckle-curve combo makes hitters look silly. Throws harder than a typical lefty, nice upside.
2. Charlie Morton
Very good fastball velocity and also throws a superb curveball; mixes in a decent slider and changeup. If he can fine tune his other offerings and keep his mental approach strong; he could be lights out.
3. Jeff Locke
Very projectable lefty. Throws a fastball with lots of movement, and throws it harder than the typical left hander at 90-94. Has a nice curve that should become an out pitch and shows an improved changeup. Gives hitters a tough time with his jerky delivery. Gets high marks for intagibles and should add velocity as he matures.
4. Julio Teheran
To be completely honest; I have no idea where to rank Julio. I've obviously never seen him pitch and he certainly hasn't proven anything. However, since this list is based on potential; I've put him up this high. I find it hard to believe the Braves would spend almost a million dollars on the kid if they didn't think they had something special. Word out of extended is that he's looked phenominal; and that he'll be headed to Rome very soon.
Weak #2 or Strong #3
5. Tommy Hanson
Tommy has great command, and displays excellent mound presence; he throws two very good pitches, a fastball and a curveball. I think he's going to give up a few homeruns against better hitters, his fastball doesn't move a lot and he's going to need to improve his change up. Very good prospect.
6. Erik Cordier
Erik just can't stay healthy; but he has big time legitimate stuff. Hopefully all the stars align for him and he can get on the field. I love this trade; if he works out or not.
7. Eric Barrett
Quality quality lefty that not many people talk about. Throws hard 90-94 and has a strong curveball and good changeup. Scouts rave about his work ethic and determination. I like this kid a lot.
8. Cory Rasmus
Like Cordier injuries have derailed his career; but he has legitimate power stuff. Cory throws a mid 90's fastball with a knee-buckling curveball and a good changeup. Scouts thought his delivery may lead to injury and so far they've been right.
Middle of the rotation starter
9. Deunte Heath
Strong big framed pitcher; mid 90's fastball with average-good secondary offerings. Control is an issue; nice upside.
10. Steven Evarts
Throws a great changeup with a fastball that sits right around 90 MPH. Has some injury concerns and still needs to master his breaking ball.
11. Chad Rodgers
Another promising lefty in the system; scouts think he'll pick up a little more velocity as he matures. Good command, fastball and curve; needs to improve his changeup.
12-13. Edgar Osuna and Jose Ortegano
Osuna and Ortegano are very similar soft tossing lefties. Both pitchers have had a tremendous amount of success so far; but it's unclear if they'll be able to replicate that success against more advanced hitters.
14. Gonzalo Lopez
I'm probably ranking him too high; he's had injury problems, questions about his makeup and he's struggling this year. I saw Gonzalo Lopez pitch a game in 2004; and filthy didn't describe his fastball. He has the ability to throw pitches that scare hitters into swinging; simply so they can get the at-bat over with. I'm not sure how he's throwing this season; but if he can regain his stuff, watch out.
15. Ryne Reynoso
Ryne was an outfielder at BC so he was raw coming into the system; despite that he's adjusted well. Very good arm and he throws in the mid 90's; my guess is he'll become a reliever down the road.
16. Kyle Coefield
Very raw when drafted; good curveball, fastball in the low to mid 90's, and a changeup that needs some work. Tall lanky pitcher could add some velocity to fastball and shoot up the charts. High upside.
17. Dustin Evans
Hasn't lived up to expectations; Evans has simply been smacked around. Throws very hard and has a good fast slider, but has been hittable. Will probably become a reliever down the road.
Back end of the rotation starter (in no order)
Scott Diamond
Good lefty, commands decent stuff. Off to a very good start this year.
Kelvin Villa
Pitcher coming off of TJS; didn't come back with quite the same stuff as he had before. Pitches around 89-91, but still has quality offerings.
Chris Vines
Typical undersized "crafty" lefty.
Jairo Cuevas
Should be much better than he is; has major legue quality pitches and can throw well into the 90's; but never seems to be able to put it together.
Johnny Venters
Lanky lefty with decent stuff who walks far too many batters.
Francisley Bueno
Now 27 years old and still trying to learn the finer points of pitching.
Jeff Lyman
No longer starting and pitching better out of the pen.
Carlos Sencion
Needs to put things together; 24 years old and struggling in AA.
James Parr
Big heart, great competitor and very average stuff.
Dan Smith
Hitters have finally caught up to him.
Anthony Lerew
Hopefully he can finally get the best of the injuries that robbed what could've been an interesting career.
Todd Redmond
Could definately see him develop into a innings eater at the backend of some teams rotation.
I did all of this on a whim and if you asked me tommorrow I might move five up these guys up and drop six or seven down. I tried to rank these guys based on what they could potentially become; obviously percentages tell us most of them won't make it there.