Top Ten Atlanta Braves Prospects- #3 Arodys Vizcaino

People are going to forget about Arodys Vizcaino this year because his Tommy John surgery but he will be back before we know it (kind of like Kris Medlen) and likely be one of the better relievers in the game.

Height- 6’0”

Weight- 190

Bats- Right

Throws- Right

Age- 21

We’ve hit the elite prospects finally. The top three arms in the organization (Vizcaino, Delgado,Teheran) are all thought to be a tier ahead of the other pitchers and players within the Braves farm system.

Arodys Vizcaino was a pick up from the Yankees organization a while back and he has turned out to be a fantastic addition. He has a fantastic fastball that reaches mid to upper 90’s and he also throws an above average curveball.

If he continues to pitch out of the bullpen these are likely the only pitches he will need but if he ever goes back to starting he has a decent change that could develop into another above average pitch. The bullpen might be a better option for Vizcaino at this point in his career (Tommy John surgery, and previous elbow issues) and Mark Hulet compares him to other top notch relievers:

"The right-hander could very well open 2012 in a very impressive big league bullpen that already featues young talent such as Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters. As hard as it may be to believe, Vizcaino features the raw stuff to fit right in with those two arms."

Vizcaino was going to be one of the better relievers in the pen this year but he is out entirely for Tommy John surgery.

Because of this he will likely stay in the bullpen (as long as he is with the Braves) and become one of the leagues best set up men. He has the stuff to get a large amount of strike outs as a starter, so in the bullpen he should see even more success.

Vizcaino is more polished than Teheran and Delgado right now (well before surgery) in my opinion but the fact that he is likely a bullpen mainstay means he is my number three guy.

In A Perfect World- Vizcaino recovers from Tommy John surgery quickly and effectively, leaving his elbow ligament issues in the past. He joins Craig Kimbrel in the back of the bullpen and the two become the most fearsome 8-9 punch in the game for years to come.

According To The Mayans- Vizcaino recovers from Tommy John but never really becomes the same pitcher. He still manages to get the velocity on his fastball but he struggles with command of all of his pitches and becomes an average bullpen arm.