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The Atlanta Braves Promote Top Pitching Prospect to Gwinnett

By Trent Dickeson

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks in the dugout during workouts before Game 1 of the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks in the dugout during workouts before Game 1 of the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Braves made some news today by promoting Freddy Tarnok to Gwinnett from Mississippi.

Big news for Braves pitching prospect Freddy Tarnok as he was promoted to AAA Gwinnett!

Tarnok is the 7th ranked prospect according to MLB, 10th according to Fangraphs, and 10th according to us here at Tomahawk Take.

Overall, Tarnok’s numbers are nothing special with a 4.31 ERA, 4.24 FIP, 4.65 xFIP, 1.29 WHIP, 27.8% strikeout rate, and 10% walk rate. It does not jump off the page, but there have been some promising moments for the young prospect.

However, Tarnok has really turned it on over his last four starts:

  • June 18th- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER,1 BB, 8 K
  • June 24th- 5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
  • June 30th- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 12 K
  • July 7th- 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Those four starts combine for a 1.71 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 0.90 WHIP, 37.8% strikeout rate, and 6.1% walk rate. He showed the promising potential that has a few scouts raving about Tarnok’s abilities.

When he is on, he is one of the best pitching prospects in the entire system. We saw that talent over his last four starts.

The lower walk rates is promising. Like so many young pitching prospects, Tarnok has struggled with command and control. If he can learn to limit the walks, he has a shot to rise up the prospect board and could excel in Gwinnett.

Now that he is in Gwinnett, it will be interesting to see how Tarnok responds. If he can continue his development, he may not be in Gwinnett for long.

Tarnok is on the Braves 40-man roster and is already 24. He may have a few guys ahead of him on the depth chart at Gwinnett but being on the 40-man could benefit Tarnok if he performs well in AAA.

There is also the idea that the Braves could be highlighting Tarnok against higher competition ahead of the trade deadline. The Braves farm system is not great, but there is a lot of potential in Tarnok’s arm. He could be an appealing name to a rebuilding club as a part of a package deal.

Either way, good luck in Gwinnett Freddy!

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