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Atlanta Braves Promote Two 1st Round Draft Picks

By Jeff Schafer

Oct 9, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a ball and glove on the field before the Kansas City Royals and the Houston Astros play in game two of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a ball and glove on the field before the Kansas City Royals and the Houston Astros play in game two of the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Braves Move Up 2015 and 2016 1st Round Picks

The Atlanta Braves drafted left-handed high school pitcher Kolby Allard with the 14th overall pick in the 2015 MLB draft.  The Atlanta Braves drafted left-handed high school pitcher Joey Wentz with the 40th overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft.

These two young pitchers are highly ranked in the Braves system and these promotions are something to be very excited about.

Allard is ranked on MLB.com as the Braves #4 ranked prospect and on Ben Chase’s mid-season prospect list as our #10.  Wentz is not yet ranked on most prospect lists (non of our recent draft picks are)

Both lefties are movin’ on up!

Earlier today, Arland Sports – the agency that represents Wentz – tweeted out that Joey will be promoted to the Danville Braves.

Wentz will be promoted from the Gulf Coast Braves were he started four games, giving up three hits, five walks, one hit batter and 18 strikeouts.  18 k’s!  That’s in 12 innings too.

This 18-year-old didn’t allow a run during his senior season in high school nor his junior year in high school (played mostly first base his junior season).  I’ve been told it’s been since his sophomore season – including his short professional career so far – that he’s allowed a run…wow.

You don’t usually get a lot of news from the websites of the Gulf Coast Braves or the Danville Braves so later this afternoon, Joey himself confirmed the call-up by tweeting out the following…

The corresponding move with Wentz moving to Danville? – The Braves highest draft pick selection (before this year) since 2009’s lefty – Mike Minor – Kolby Allard.

Allard was named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Week (games played July 11 through July 17) as he went 2-0, six hits, no runs, three walks and had 14 strikeouts.

In 2016 with the Danville Braves, Allard is 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA over 27.1 innings pitched.  He has 33 k’s, gave up only 18 hits, fives walks, a 0.84 WHIP.

When Will We See These Guys Again?

Wentz was scheduled to pitch again on Thursday, July 21st and Kolby was set to make his next start with Danville on Friday, the 22nd.  Wentz will most likely get the start in Danville on Friday. Allard will most likely get the start in Rome on Friday…Rome’s site currently says TBD for Friday’s start.

Man…look at these rotations now

Danville

Joey Wentz

Jaret Hellinger

Luis Mora

Luis Gamez

Jhon Martinez

Rome

Mike Soroka

Touki Toussaint

Kolby Allard

Ricardo Sanchez

Patrick Weigel

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