Atlanta Braves: Getting to Know No. 5 Prospect Kyle Muller

As we’ve already seen in his first two outings, the hype surrounding the Atlanta Braves No. 5 prospect is real.

When the Atlanta Braves recently called up No. 5 prospect Kyle Muller, it was understandable that excitement started to build across the fanbase surrounding the young left-hander. Not only is he the Braves current top pitching prospect, but he is a versatile pitcher with the pure stuff and abilities to help the pitching staff in many different roles going forward.

As you’ll see, Muller is a player that will able to help the Braves in multiple different areas for not only the 2021 season, but for years to come.

Atlanta Braves prospect Kyle Muller is a can’t-miss pitching talent.

The Braves originally selected Muller out of high school with their Second Round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. Selected in the same draft that the Braves selected other top high school arms including Ian Anderson and Bryse Wilson, Muller received an above-average slot deal to sign with Atlanta.

Muller spent the remainder of the 2016 season, as well as 2017 in Rookie Ball where he posted a combined 2.87 ERA across 75.1 innings pitched between the GCL and Danville. During his first professional action, Muller flashed his big-time ability to make batters miss, but also showed potential areas of improvement, most notably his ability to limit walks.

Muller came into the 2018 season as a Top 15 prospect in Atlanta’s loaded farm system which was full of highly-touted pitchers. The left-handed pitcher however enjoyed a big break-out 2018 season across three different minor league levels posting a combined 3.03 ERA in 25 starts made.

Going from Low-A Rome to Double-A Mississippi, Muller began to emerge as one of Atlanta’s top pitching prospects.

Muller cracked the Top 10 in Atlanta’s top-ranked farm system entering the 2019 season after a strong 2018 season along with a solid showing playing with Peoria in the Arizona Fall League.

Muller backed that up with an excellent 2019 campaign, posting a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts at Mississippi, but he also had a career-high walk-rate of 5.5 BB/9.

After spending the 2020 season at the Braves’ alternate training site, Muller was added to the 40-man roster this past offseason. After starting this season in Triple-A Gwinnett, Muller has now reached the big leagues where he has posted a 5.40 ERA across his first two appearances.

Despite having issues walking batters at times, Muller’s pure stuff has many believing that he will be a mainstay in the Braves rotation for years to come.

Displaying a legit four-pitch mix, Muller’s fastball flirts with triple-digits on a consistent basis, while he also has a changeup to pair with a curveball and slider that are both considered above-average.

At 6’7, Muller is a power left-hander that has showcased big-time strikeout potential throughout his minor league career. While he may not be a full-time starter in the rotation for the remainder of the 2021 season, he could be a candidate to pitch out of the bullpen, while also making occasional spot starts going forward.

Muller has the potential to be a focal point of the Braves pitching staff going forward, whether in the rotation or bullpen. Whichever role he pitches in as well, Muller could turn into one of the more important pitchers on the Braves’ roster for years to come.