Atlanta Braves Minor League Ag Report, August 6

Mar 3, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher

(58) throws against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves Minor League Ag Report

I had the pleasure of driving through Minnesota this week on the way to a concert with my lovely wife in St. Paul. This time of year is one of my favorite in rural life, with corn tasseling and finishing out filling the cobs before the heat of August dries out the stalk and gets it ready to pick in September/October. One of my favorite parts of this year is the road side stands of sweet corn available alongside the road.

Much like those road side corn and melon stands that are popping up on the side of the road, minor league relievers are often missed because we’re looking for something bigger, more impressive, but those guys can offer as much value as our bigger targets.

I selected a dozen relievers to highlight from across the system this year:

David Carpenter, 27, RHP, minor league free agent signing for 2015, has been nothing short of dominant in AAA Gwinnett this season, but he’s struggled to translate that success to the majors in brief call ups.
Minor league season totals: 40 innings in 29 appearances, 0.68 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 3.6 BB/9.
Atlanta totals: 3 2/3 innings in 4 appearances, 7.36 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 12.3 K/9, 0.0 BB/9.

Tyler Jones, 25, RHP, minor league free agent signed just before the season began in April of this season, has pitched his way to AA Mississippi after starting the year in Carolina. He’s been used as the primary closer in both spots, and he’s handled the role quite well.
Season totals: 44 2/3 innings in 39 appearances, 1.81 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, 3.4 BB/9.

Ryan Kelly, 27, RHP, minor league free agent signee after the 2013 season, has reached the majors this year after starting the season with Mississippi. He’s a good ground ball oriented pitcher who could be a solid middle innings reliever at the big league level.
Minor league season totals: 41 1/3 innings in 35 appearances, 0.87 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 2.8 BB/9.
Atlanta totals: 3 2/3 innings in 4 appearances, 9.82 ERA, 2.45 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 4.9 BB/9.

Kyle Kinman, 24, LHP, 2014 25th round draft choice from Bellevue University in Nebraska, has thrown at three levels this season, now in AA Mississippi after stops in Rome and Carolina. Smallish build deceives hitters as he brings mid-90s velocity consistently from the left side, even touching upper-90s. Could be a sleeper guy for the Atlanta bullpen in 2016.
Season totals: 41 1/3 innings in 33 appearances, 1.74 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 11,1 K/9, 4.8 BB/9.

Matt Marksberry, 24, LHP, 2013 15th round pick from Campbell University in North Carolina, has jumped all the way to the majors this year after starting the year in Carolina. He has shown good command and ground ball tendencies in the minor leagues, leading to believe he could be used as more than just a LOOGY.
Minor league season totals: 46 innings in 33 appearances, 2.74 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, 2.7 BB/9.
Atlanta totals: 3 2/3 innings in 3 appearances, 0.00 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 2.5 BB/9.

Peter Moylan, 36, minor league free agent for 2015, has returned to the Braves system and is hoping to work back to the majors after a second Tommy John surgery derailed his career. He’s pitched for AAA Gwinnett this year so far, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get a September call up for fan enjoyment, if nothing else.
Season totals: 24 innings in 23 appearances, 3.38 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 3.0 BB/9.

Andy Otero, 23, LHP, 2009 international signing from Panama, has returned finally to full strength after injuries cost him all but 14 innings from 2010-2012. He’s spent this season in Carolina. Otero offers a good mix of pitches, but recently has moved into the closer role in Carolina and flashed higher velocity in shorter stints, which could be something to keep on eye on due to his left-handedness!
Season totals: 42 2/3 innings in 25 appearances (2 starts), 2.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 8.4 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 (0 HR allowed).

David Peterson, 25, RHP, 2012 8th round pick from College of Charleston, has thrown across 3 levels after struggling to get his career off the ground the last two seasons in the Braves system due to injury. He’s currently pitching in Gwinnett after making stops in Carolina and Mississippi as well this season. While physically intimidating at 6’5 and a listed 205 that looks more like 215-225, he’s not got a huge fastball or big breaking pitch, relying on his defense to pick him up with typically heavy pitches that get beat into the ground.
Season totals: 37 1/3 innings in 28 appearances, 2.65 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 2.4 BB/9.

Bradley Roney, 22, RHP, 2014 8th round draft pick from Southern Miss, has thrown across three levels now after a recent promotion to high-A Carolina, having also pitched for Danville and Rome. Lots of gas and big strikeouts, but he needs to work on the command as he continues to move up the chain.
Season totals: 33 2/3 innings in 22 appearances, 2.94 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 13.4 K/9, 7.2 BB/9.

Carlos Salazar, 20, RHP, 2013 3rd round draft pick out of high school, has excelled in his transition to the bullpen this season, moving up from Rome to Carolina, where he’s currently pitching. He’s got a wicked fastball/slider combo that could allow him to move very quickly as he harnesses his control.
Season totals: 49 innings in 26 appearances, 1.20 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 6.2 BB/9.

Ryan Weber, 24, RHP, 2009 22nd round pick from St Petersburg College in Florida, has been a personal favorite of mine for a couple of seasons now. After jumping 3 levels last season as a swing man, he’s pitched more out of relief (albeit often going multiple innings) this season, and the results have been impressive. He’s now pitching in Gwinnett after starting the year in Mississippi, and I’d wager that he’ll get the call to the majors soon enough.
Season totals: 72 innings in 29 appearances (5 starts), 1.88 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 0.8 BB/9.

Jorge Zavala, 21, RHP, 2012 international signee, has traversed both A-level clubs for the Braves this year, pitching in Rome and Carolina. His breaking stuff is crazy good, and he has an excellent arm slot to throw off hitters.
Season totals: 35 1/3 innings in 26 appearances, 1.78 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 4.6 BB/9.

Enjoy this week’s report!

Next: Gwinnett Braves Report