Atlanta Braves Scouting Report on RHP Matt Custred

The Atlanta Braves have been drafting a ton of big arm relievers late in drafts in the last few seasons. Matt Custred was a recent example. What can he be going forward?

Who Is He?

The Atlanta Braves drafted Matt Custred out of Texas Tech in the 31st round of the 2015 draft. He had a big fastball, but he did not have much of a college track record, only making 26 total appearances with 36 walks and 43 strikeouts over 33 innings, so there was some intrigue into what the Braves saw in Custred.

He came out in 2015 in his short time in the system and absolutely dominated. Between GCL and Danville, he made 19 appearances, throwing 32 2/3 innings with a 1.38 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and a 9/46 BB/K ratio!

The Braves moved Custred up to Rome, and while he threw well, he didn’t really have that same type of season as some of the walk issues from college rared their ugly head.

Most of all, Custred came out of the box with a struggle. In April, he made 7 appearances, throwing 8 1/3 innings, with a 9.72 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, and a 9/10 BB/K ratio. It was also the one month that he was hit the hrdest by fly balls as well.

Custred got things righted to some degree in May and June, but then had a July where he had a 15/5 BB/K ratio over 9 2/3 innings. To his credit, he did get his act together to throw very well from August 1st on as Rome streaked toward a title, making 12 appearances (including postseason), throwing 14 2/3 innings with a 1.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 6/20 BB/K ratio.

Overall, in 2016, Custred made 40 regular season appearances, throwing 56 2/3 innings with a 3.18 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, posting a 36/64 BB/K ratio on the year.

Next: Custred's scouting report