Braves Prospects Make IL Postseason All Star Team
By Fred Owens
The International League announced their postseason award winners today and two Braves prospects were among them.
Braves Julio Teheran was named Most Valuable Pitcher and Rookie of the Year. At Gwinnett this year the 20 year old Teheran playing in only his third professional season posted eye watering numbers. In his 25 games (24 starts) he was 15-3, throwing 144 2/3 innings while compiling and ERA 2.55 and a WHIP of 1.182. He averaged 7.6 K/9, striking out 122 batters while walking only 2.6/ (48 total) for a K/BB ratio of 2.54. He was home run stingy as well with a 0.3/9 ratio – about one every three games.
The Braves called him up to start two games in May, while in September he started one and relieved in two more. He showed signs of the stuff that generated such impressive numbers at Gwinnett during each performance but high early pitch counts highlighted the difference between pitching against AAA hitters and major league players. He is after all only 20 years old and it’s not surprising that he needs more seasoning and work on efficient use of his pitches. His line with the Braves was 1-2 with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.475 WHIP in 19 2/3 innings. Fellow Braves prospect Stefan Gartrell joined Teheran on the post season all star team.
Gartell blossomed after being claimed off waivers from the White Sox on April 15th. The 6’ 3”, 27 year old, right hand hitting Gartell played 116 games with the G-Braves finishing the season with a .262/.338/.504 line, 32 doubles, 26 home runs and 94 RBI playing mostly right field.
Joining Teheran and Gartell on the all star team were Tampa Bay Rays third baseman and IL MVP Russ Canzler, Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco, Pirates first sacker Matt Hague, Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis, Reds SS Zack Cozart, Pirates OF Alex Presley, Sox OF Dayan Viciedo, Yankees DH Jorge Vazquez, Indians IF Luis Valbuena and Pirates Reliever Tim Wood.