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Atlanta Braves MLB Draft: Top 5 college pitchers to target

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 31: Atlanta Braves mascot Blooper and left fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. #13 play around in the dugout during a rain delay before the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on July 31, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 31: Atlanta Braves mascot Blooper and left fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. #13 play around in the dugout during a rain delay before the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on July 31, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TX – DECEMBER 06: The TCU Horned Frogs mascot, “Super Frog” performs during the Big 12 college football game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Amon G. Carter Stadium on December 6, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Horned Frongs defeated the Cyclones 55-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – DECEMBER 06: The TCU Horned Frogs mascot, “Super Frog” performs during the Big 12 college football game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Amon G. Carter Stadium on December 6, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Horned Frongs defeated the Cyclones 55-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

LHP – Nick Lodolo – TCU

TCU starting pitcher Nick Lodolo was taken with the 41st overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates but elected to go the college route.

After a couple of so-so seasons, he’s really picked it up as a junior, showing scouts why he was so highly regarded coming out of high school.

As a freshman, he posted a 4.35 ERA in 78.2 innings with 72 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.32. The following season he put up similar numbers but struck out 93 in 77 innings.

This year he’s posted a 2.18 ERA in 91 innings pitched with 113 strikeouts and a WHIP under one.

Lodolo has a very athletic pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds. He’s also left-handed.

He has a low-to-mid 90s fastball that he’s gained better command of this season. And his offspeed offerings include a plus change-up and a slider.

The TCU standout is not expected to make it to the Atlanta Braves at nine. Many expect him to be the first college pitcher taken in the MLB Draft.

Most mocks have him going 6-8 overall, but if he were to slip to the Atlanta Braves at nine, they’d have to consider taking the projectable lefty.

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