Atlanta Braves draft signings update : Cameron Kurz signs

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Atlanta Braves mascot Blooper says high to new Atlanta Braves signings. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Braves signed another player from the Rule 4 draft, three international free agents, and an undrafted free agent.

I bet you thought international signings were something other teams did this year. The Atlanta Braves do face serious restrictions in the next two international drafts.

Punishment for the scandal restricts them to signing bonuses under $300,000 during the coming 2018-19 signing period, $10,000 or less in the 2019 – 20 signing period and slices the 2020-21 pool in half.

That doesn’t mean they won’t be active in this signing period, good talent is available at the $300K mark; Ronald Acuna Jr. signed for $300K and earlier this in this period Dominican outfielder Asmin Bautista signed for $300K as well.

The Atlanta Braves Rule 4 draft signing rate stands at 66% after last weekend’s signing of Cameron Kurz. Here’s his scouting report.

https://twitter.com/UCSDbsb/status/1004455645125402624

Atlanta Braves sign 18th round selection

The Braves watched Kurz put pen to paper on June 22, coaxing him away from his last year of college eligibility at U C San Diego. The 6’, 195 pound right from Encinitas Florida acted as the Triton’s closer during their 2018 run at the Division II College World Series. According to the Kirk Kenny writing for the San Diego Union Tribune, Kurz made the trip because he decided not to be left out again.

The Triton’s advanced to the 2017 Division II World Series last year but Kurz didn’t make the roster. He traveled alone to those finals to watch his team win, then vowed he’d never be left off the roster again.

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Kurz threw just 8 1/3 inning in 2017 because. “coach Eric Newman didn’t have confidence in him.” This season Kurz grabbed the closer role and refused to let it go.

His Triton Baseball Bio Page provides some pretty impressive statistics that show why.

Kurz finished the season with a 0.74 ERA in 36 1/3 innings spread over 22 games. He struck out 63 hitters and walked 11 while holding opponents to a .135 batting average with only four extra-base hits; all doubles.

His last fourteen innings – including 4 1/3 innings in the team’s win or go home game against Southern New Hampshire – Kurz gave up nothing. One runner reached – on an error. Kurz appears to relish the big game moment.

18 clean appearances in 22 games
No walks in 14 appearances
17 Ks, no walks in three NCAA tournament games

Kurz numbers tell you he pounds the zone. He features a sinker that touches 94 mph and a plus slider out of a three-quarters arm slot at an angle that’s hard to handle.

His coach explained the change in Kurz like this.

"“Cameron took stock of himself . . . worked really hard on the mental part of his game. . .(worked to) repeat the next pitch, not worry about the results and just execute. . . It was a matter of commanding his emotions . . .That’s really hard to do. . .to actually take the tools . . . and apply them . . . over and over and over . . .it’s pretty impressive."

An academic All-American and human biology major. Kurz wants to be an orthopedic surgeon. For now, that dream’s on hold as he applies that work ethic to being a member of the Atlanta Braves.

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