Atlanta Braves draft wrap-up: Victor Vodnik scouting report
By Fred Owens
Atlanta Braves last 2018 draft signing: Victor Vodnik
The Braves selected six high school prospects. Four of these were definitely not signing, two planned to sign but as an injury meant one did not. Consequently, they managed to sign just one high school prospect. Because of all the confusion, the Braves announced Vodnik’s signing just before the signing deadline.
Watching Vodnik for the first time immediately brought Billy Wagner to mind. Baseball America lists Vodnik as an inch taller and five pounds lighter than Wagner in his prime. That’s close enough and the 95 mph fastball he flashed last fall had Wagner-like sizzle. Like Wagner, he’s a reliever through and through.
Atlanta Braves
His senior year at Rialto, Vodnik appeared in 25 games and threw 49 1/3 innings, struck out 85 (46% K rate), and posted a 2.84 ERA.
Over his four years at Rialto, he compiled a 2.77 ERA and struck out 229 (60.4% K rate) in 149 IP.
Vodnik’s arsenal contains the standard reliever weapons; a low 90s fastball paired with a mid-80s slider. Baseball America’s pre-draft scouting report ($) says he’s a work in progress with real potential.
". . . (a) quick-armed, 5-foot-11 righthander. . . raw and undersized . . . arm strength is undeniable . . . (fastball) sits at 92-93 mph and holds it well. . . touched 96 mph in the spring . . . his slider is self-taught and a little crude. . . flashes some above-average offerings at 84-87 . . . projects as . . . power reliever."
That note about his “crude” slider bears explanation.
BA called Rialto “a poverty-stricken area with little baseball infrastructure.’ As a result, Vodnik became his own instructor. Consequently, he developed bad habits and his motion needs streamlining. Watching the video, you’ll notice his mechanics vary a little from pitch to pitch.
If all goes as planned, Atlanta Braves’ pitching staff will smooth those mechanics out. That should give him a more repeatable delivery, improving command and potentially increasing velocity.
That’s a wrap
I apologize for the late delivery of the final draft report and the scouting report on Vodnik. I root for players like Vodnick who make it without the help of a big billfold and lots of press hype.
I’d love to see Wagner take this young man under his wing. In my view, he’s the perfect coach for someone like Vodnik. Above all, I hope pitching development streamlines his mechanics and so he can pitch for many years