Atlanta Braves Top 100 Prospect – #66 Jaret Hellinger Chats With Us
By Jeff Schafer
The Atlanta Braves drafted pitcher Jaret Hellinger in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB draft out of Ola High School in McDonough, Georgia. The 6’4″ 170 pound 19-year-old spent his first season (a few months) in the Gulf Coast League.
In his first four appearances as a professional ball player, he came into the game from the bullpen. The final six appearances he was the starter. In 2015, he went 2-2 with a 3.15 ERA and 1.398 WHIP in the 34.1 innings pitched.
Hellinger was ranked number 66 on Ben Chase’s top 100 list he published earlier this week.
The lefty-pitcher is a homegrown prospect…which the Braves have been known to draft.
To get to know Jaret, we reached out to him to see if he’d participate in a quick Q&A session…he greatly accepted the offer!
Tomahawk Take: Talk about your first season with the Atlanta Braves organization, is it everything you dreamed it would be being a hometown guy?
Jaret Hellinger: My first season was amazing, and yes it was everything I dreamed and more, to be drafted and play for the Braves was unreal I honestly can’t even put into words how awesome it was.
TT: What was it like or your feelings when you heard the Braves drafted you?
JH: I was shocked because I had no idea that they were gonna draft me until I checked Twitter randomly and saw it. Then I went crazy cause I have been going to Braves games since I was 4 years old.
TT: You’re first few games in the Gulf Coast League you came out of the bullpen, then the final six games you were the starter….do you prefer starting or relief?
JH: I prefer being a starter mostly because it’s what I have been my whole life.
TT: What do you see yourself as 5 years down the road?
JH: A starter in the Bigs.
TT: For fans who are unaware of your pitching style…who do you think you best resemble?
JH: Cole Hamels
TT: What pitches are in your throwing bag?
JH: I throw a Fastball, 2-Seam fastball, change-up, and a 12/6 curveball.
TT: What do you think is your top 2 pitches?
JH: My top 2 pitches are my Change-Up and my Fastball.
TT: Where do you see yourself starting 2016 with the Braves organization and which team do you think you’ll end the season with?
JH: I see myself starting in Danville and ending the season with Rome.
TT: What are your goals for the 2016 season and what would be your goals for the next 5 seasons?
JH: My goal is to be in Rome for the majority of my 2016 season. My goals for the next 5 season is to stay healthy, gain weight, and move up in the organization.