Atlanta Braves take LHP Jared Shuster in the 2020 MLB Draft
We take a look at the first-round pick for the Atlanta Braves in the 2020 MLB Draft and what he adds to the team’s current farm system.
Finally, we have some actual baseball news (or at least exciting news) to talk about with the Atlanta Braves selecting left-handed pitcher Jared Shuster from Wake Forest with the 25th pick of the 2020 MLB Draft.
A 6-foot-3 lefty, he really struggled his first two years at Wake Forest with a 7.41 ERA as a freshman and 6.49 ERA in 2019.
However, he did strike out 94 batters in 68 innings as a sophomore showing his potential for dominance.
He went to the Cape Cod League after the 2019 college season and really put himself on the map by posting a 1.41 ERA in 32 innings with 35 strikeouts.
And then he carried that success into his junior season with a 3.76 ERA in 26.1 innings with 43 strikeouts before the shutdown.
His command certainly improved from his first two seasons at Wake Forest and his plus-fastball gets in the upper 90s, but he is still developing the offspeed pitches.
This is not someone that was rated very high on draft boards but was a late riser. My projection for him would be a middle of the rotation pitcher or a middle reliever. And it’s a pretty safe bet he hits that low ceiling.
With the Braves losing a pick by signing Will Smith and Marcell Ozuna this past offseason, they’re really hoping they found a gem in the first round. But they also had to be a little safe and get someone they feel will make an impact.
Also, because of the limitations on Atlanta right now in the international market, the bottom half of the farm system is starting to look thin, so it’s even more imperative they don’t miss in the draft.
Let’s hope Shuster is that diamond in the rough as Atlanta passed up on some good players for him.
Next. New draft rules may change strategy. dark
The Braves have three more picks in the 2020 MLB Draft and they will all come on day two. Check back on the Tomahawk Take site as we update you with those picks and go more in-depth on all of these picks.