Atlanta Braves 4th Round Pick, #110 Overall, Troy Bacon On The Hot Seat

The Braves selected Bacon with the #110 overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft

When the Atlanta Braves drafted Troy Bacon in the 4th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, he was announced as a right-handed pitcher out of Santa Fe Community College.  What we didn’t know at the time was that Bacon is not only a pitcher.

The 6’0″ 165-pounder was a two-way player in high school as well as in college.  He attended the University of Florida before he transferred to Santa Fe CC.  Bacon was a shortstop that can hit the baseball.  He also DH’d during his time at Santa Fe.

MLB.com’s report on Bacon was that he sits between 90-94mph with his fastball with an above average slider, average to above-average curveball and he’s a good athlete.

Bacon and the Braves have many options for him in the future and it looks as though he has the chance to be a bullpen arm/closer/a starter in the Braves organization.

To get to know him just a little bit better, Bacon answered a few questions for Tomahawk Take.

Tomahawk Take: So…the Atlanta Braves!! What were your initial thoughts on being drafted by them?

Troy Bacon: I had taken a visit to Sun Trust park earlier this month and fell in love with the field and really enjoyed my time talking with the people I met in the Braves organization. I have always enjoyed how beautiful and historic the city of Atlanta is so it was a great feeling to know someday I could be there playing for the Braves.

TT: You went to school at Santa Fe in Florida…southeast school, were you a Braves fan growing up?

TB: I can’t say I was a really huge fan of any pro team growing up because I was always at tournaments of my own and really didn’t keep up with Professional baseball. But I have family in Atlanta so I’d say my family is really excited about me being a Brave which means the world to me.

TT: I noticed on your Santa Fe player profile your favorite player is Derek Jeter…how come?

TB: The reason Derek Jeter is one of my favorite players is because he is the perfect example of how one should carry themselves on and off the field. One of the most respected players to ever play the game not only because of his talent on the field but also the kind of man he was off the field, and I idolize the persona he has.

TT: Just looking over your stats, it looks as though you’re strictly a relief pitcher. Is that what you’re destined to be? Any chance of starting?

TB: I have been a starter my whole life until college where I kind of fit into the role of a closer because that’s where the team needed me. Over time I became more and more successful in that spot so I stuck with it in order to give my team the best chance at winning ball games. I believe I have a good fastball that I can locate around the zone and 3 off-speed pitches I feel comfortable throwing in any count so if the Braves see or need me as a starter I am more than willing to do everything I can to be that for them.

TT: If so, what drives you coming into a game in the late innings?

TB: What drives me is knowing how important my role is coming out of the bullpen and that I need to protect any lead that my team has worked hard on getting me. Also to swing as much momentum into our dugout by shutting down the opposition and giving my team the chance to win if that is the scenario I’m put in.

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TT: To let fans get to know a little about your pitching style…can you relate or do you resemble anyone in the majors?

TB: Playing high school ball in Tampa I got a chance to watch Jose Fernandez play and watching him was truly a sight to see. At the pro level, he was able to dominate hitters with his control of his hard fastball and make hitters chase his sweeping slider which are both things I have tried to work on over the past few years as my velocity has climbed and the feel for my off-speed has gotten increasingly better.

TT: What are the pitches fans will see from you?

TB: 4 and 2 seam fastball, change-up, slider, and curveball

TT: What’s the fastball sit at and how’s the curve?

TB: Fastball normally sits mid 90’s and can reach high 90’s. Slider is my better off-speed pitch and it has a sharper sweeping break to it. Curveball is also good I feel comfortable throwing it for strikes and working low in the zone as a chase pitch.

TT: Saw you also hit a little at Santa Fe…gotta love two-way players! Also, NL pitchers hit! Like a few Braves pitchers once said…chicks dig the long-ball!

TB: Yes, I was a two-way player out of high school and at the University of Florida, but as I transitioned to Santa Fe I focused more on pitching and DH a little on the side. I love hitting especially letting a few rip in batting practice because the chicks do dig the long ball, but I think they are starting to favor fastball velo more so that will be more of my focus for the near future, haha.

Next: Trading prospects could work for the Braves

Bacon has signed with the Braves, but the signing figures are still not public.  The Braves have signed their first four draft picks from the 2017 draft.

Kyle Wright – $7,000,000

Drew Waters – $1,500,000

Freddy Tarnok – $1,445,000

Of the $10,325,259 allowed signing bonus for the Atlanta Braves, they spent $9,945,000 on their first three selections.