Minor League Thread Part Deux

zbhargrove said:
He was dominant last start too
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Looking back Auburn guy. 2nd rounder.

Flat out dominant. 14th ranked prospect by FG. AA ball.

From MLB Pipeline who is notoriously optimistic and high ended:
Burkhalter spent three years pitching exclusively out of Auburn’s bullpen, but it wasn’t until his final season in 2022 when his command improved dramatically, which allowed him to step into the closer role and save 16 games. The Braves took him with a compensation pick after Round 2 of that summer’s Draft, but he needed Tommy John surgery shortly after he had begun his first pro season. He had a solid return to the mound with High-A Rome in 2024, logging 72 total innings for the year.

Though he’s just 6-foot and has that impressive relief resume in college, the Braves are continuing to give Burkhalter the chance to start. That’s because he now has a viable four-pitch mix and the ability to land all of them in the strike zone. His velocity was back upon his return, up to 98 mph with a fastball that features good carry. A cutter that he can get up to about 91-92 mph is hard and short, and he throws it all hitters. At one point he shelved his slider, but he brought it back with better results command-wise, and it’s more of a gyro-type pitch with more depth than the cutter. He has a changeup but doesn’t throw it as much.

Burkhalter was able to show that the improvements he made control-wise in college have stuck, which was even more impressive considering it was his first year back from elbow surgery. The gloves should come off more now, and while he may still end up back in a bullpen one day, the Braves are excited to see what he can do taking the ball in a rotation.
 
Tapate50 said:
Looking back Auburn guy. 2nd rounder.

Flat out dominant. 14th ranked prospect by FG. AA ball.

From MLB Pipeline who is notoriously optimistic and high ended:
Burkhalter spent three years pitching exclusively out of Auburn’s bullpen, but it wasn’t until his final season in 2022 when his command improved dramatically, which allowed him to step into the closer role and save 16 games. The Braves took him with a compensation pick after Round 2 of that summer’s Draft, but he needed Tommy John surgery shortly after he had begun his first pro season. He had a solid return to the mound with High-A Rome in 2024, logging 72 total innings for the year.

Though he’s just 6-foot and has that impressive relief resume in college, the Braves are continuing to give Burkhalter the chance to start. That’s because he now has a viable four-pitch mix and the ability to land all of them in the strike zone. His velocity was back upon his return, up to 98 mph with a fastball that features good carry. A cutter that he can get up to about 91-92 mph is hard and short, and he throws it all hitters. At one point he shelved his slider, but he brought it back with better results command-wise, and it’s more of a gyro-type pitch with more depth than the cutter. He has a changeup but doesn’t throw it as much.

Burkhalter was able to show that the improvements he made control-wise in college have stuck, which was even more impressive considering it was his first year back from elbow surgery. The gloves should come off more now, and while he may still end up back in a bullpen one day, the Braves are excited to see what he can do taking the ball in a rotation.
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It sounds like he could be a lights out bullpen/closer if starting doesn't work out. He'll be fun to watch over the next couple of months bc him being at AA he could help the big club down the stretch if he keeps pitching like he is.
 
Tapate50 said:
Some of these pitchers we have taken that have injury issues are gonna jump on the scene without really making prospect lists.
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That's why I haven't put a lot of faith in the rankings on some of our guys bc of how they are handled. A lot of our guys get rushed and don't have time to get highly ranked like Schwellenbach.
 
Tapate50 said:
Some of these pitchers we have taken that have injury issues are gonna jump on the scene without really making prospect lists.
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Keep an eye out for Herick Hernandez also... mediocre results at U of Miami and we drafted him last year in the 4th round. The Braves saw something and so far he seems to be looking good as well. I specifically remember most of the board thinking the Burkhalter pick was stupid and the same sentiment was echoed with Hernandez last year. We seem to be really good at finding diamonds in the rough on the mound... Strider and Schwellenbach along the same lines.
 
zbhargrove said:
Keep an eye out for Herick Hernandez also... mediocre results at U of Miami and we drafted him last year in the 4th round. The Braves saw something and so far he seems to be looking good as well. I specifically remember most of the board thinking the Burkhalter pick was stupid and the same sentiment was echoed with Hernandez last year. We seem to be really good at finding diamonds in the rough on the mound... Strider and Schwellenbach along the same lines.
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One of the write ups mentioned prospects coming out of offensively inflated parks

Some of these guys may be pitching in a band box or something. Inflated numbers etc
 
zbhargrove said:
Keep an eye out for Herick Hernandez also... mediocre results at U of Miami and we drafted him last year in the 4th round. The Braves saw something and so far he seems to be looking good as well. I specifically remember most of the board thinking the Burkhalter pick was stupid and the same sentiment was echoed with Hernandez last year. We seem to be really good at finding diamonds in the rough on the mound... Strider and Schwellenbach along the same lines.
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too early to call just yet.. but I was down right rude about the HH pick.. I hated it.. But he has some impressive K numbers right now.. not worried about the long ball numbers, but the walks could be improved upon.

I don't even remember the burkhalter pick.. probably hated that too since I can be so damn cynical. lol
 
bravesfanMatt said:
too early to call just yet.. but I was down right rude about the HH pick.. I hated it.. But he has some impressive K numbers right now.. not worried about the long ball numbers, but the walks could be improved upon.

I don't even remember the burkhalter pick.. probably hated that too since I can be so damn cynical. lol
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To be clear, I'm not getting on people for hating on the picks... I wasn't any different. I remember hating both picks. I remember being super lukewarm on the Strider pick. Yeah long way to go with Herick but so far it mainly seems to be a control problem but his control is already a ton better than it was at Miami.
 
zbhargrove said:
To be clear, I'm not getting on people for hating on the picks... I wasn't any different. I remember hating both picks. I remember being super lukewarm on the Strider pick. Yeah long way to go with Herick but so far it mainly seems to be a control problem but his control is already a ton better than it was at Miami.
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I wasn't saying you were calling me out.. I am a self caller outer.. I will eat some crow when I deserve it.

that said, I have never been wrong.. but when I am.. I will be the first to say it..
 
I'd like to take the time to continue my Ambioris Tavarez President of the fan club early season lovefest. I've ranted on before about his fielding so I'll leave that out. He's playing more SS now and he's so damn good there. He's also smooth at 2B, so that versatility is serving him well. He's fun to watch and continues to have the love of the game mentality to his play.

Where I'm most impressed is that his hitting is simplified and he's much quicker to the ball. He guesses too much and it costs him, but his solid contact "sounds" like it off the bat. More importantly, his SO's have improved to less than 30% which I thought would take divine intervention. He'll look bad and great all in the same at bat. But he's sporting a .410 OBP and over .825 OPS. Small sample size, but he's keeping my attention.

Didier Fuentes...what can I say more. Very intriguing arm, and I love that his FB plays up in the zone. Stays calm and regardless of how he's pitching, he's tuned in. Sneaky last start...I'd say some stretches of consistent high velo (96) ..but his secondaries look like they're gonna be a problem.
 
Deester11 said:
I'd like to take the time to continue my Ambioris Tavarez President of the fan club early season lovefest. I've ranted on before about his fielding so I'll leave that out. He's playing more SS now and he's so damn good there. He's also smooth at 2B, so that versatility is serving him well. He's fun to watch and continues to have the love of the game mentality to his play.

Where I'm most impressed is that his hitting is simplified and he's much quicker to the ball. He guesses too much and it costs him, but his solid contact "sounds" like it off the bat. More importantly, his SO's have improved to less than 30% which I thought would take divine intervention. He'll look bad and great all in the same at bat. But he's sporting a .410 OBP and over .825 OPS. Small sample size, but he's keeping my attention.

Didier Fuentes...what can I say more. Very intriguing arm, and I love that his FB plays up in the zone. Stays calm and regardless of how he's pitching, he's tuned in. Sneaky last start...I'd say some stretches of consistent high velo (96) ..but his secondaries look like they're gonna be a problem.
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I'm loving Tavarez's year so far... man it would be such a boost if he could become a big time prospect. I love it. Didier is just so exciting because of that control... he's gonna be a good one if he stays healthy
 
Want to see a few more months like this from Tavarez, but some real offensive development from him would be huge. Braves need some impact hitting prospects, especially on the infield, and especially at SS.
 
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