Keep an Eye On: Braves Lefty Manny Banuelos

The Braves have made a flurry of moves this offseason, culminating in a massive rise up the farm system rankings. Trading some of their big bats has netted the team prospects like Mike Foltynecwicz, Max Fried, Rio Ruiz and Tyrell Jenkins, which has bolstered their system considerably. The team also completed a lower profile trade with the Yankees that could end up being a huge steal.

Atlanta shipped relievers David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve to New York for lefty pitcher Manny Banuelos, a one-time elite prospect who’s career has never took off due to several arm issues. Signed out of the Mexican League in 2008 as a 17-year old, he pitched well enough to quickly rise through the system. He made it up to Triple-A ball in 2011, and was ranked as the 12th overall prospect in baseball heading into the 2012 season (by comparison, another lefty, Carlos Rodon, was ranked No. 12 this year).

The injuries started once the 2012 season got underway. He made just six starts in Triple-A because of arm injuries, and needed Tommy John Surgery in the offseason which sidelined him throughout the 2013 season. He returned to the mound in 2013, albeit on a limited basis. He made 25 starts, but rarely went past the 4th inning in any of them. Even still, he made improvements throughout the year, starting in Advanced-A ball and working his way up to Triple-A by seasons end.

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The 23-year old has always been able to strikeout batters (446 strikeouts in 446 career IPs), due to a solid mix of his low-to-mid 90’s fastball, swing and miss curveball and changeup. He began to mix in a slider as well in 2014, which would be very beneficial for him if he can develop it into an average offering. Banuelos has had issues with control back in his days as a top prospect, and will need to get his walks down to prove he can be a starting pitcher. In his last full season in 2011 split between Double-A and Triple-A, he walked 71 batters in 129 innings. He also can give up the long ball, surrendering 10 in just 76 innings last season.

The Mexico native has an invite to Spring Training. where his performance can go a long way towards future playing time. As of right now, The Braves rotation consists of Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, Mike Minor and Shelby Miller. The 5th spot is up for grabs, and looks like it will come down to Foltynecwicz, and veterans Eric Stults and Wandy Rodriguez. With a solid spring, who’s to say Banuelos can’t join that competition? It would make sense that the Braves would give that 5th spot to a younger guy if possible, in hopes of developing him for the 2016 season and beyond. However, the team would be wise to start him off in the Minors in order to give him a chance to go deeper into games as a starting pitcher.

As long as his injury issues are behind him, Banuelos has a chance to resurrect his career in Atlanta. The Braves should be rebuilding the next few years, so they will be able to get the lefty some innings in the big leagues if he proves ready. They also have the luxury of being patient with him, as he still has some work to do with his game. Refining his control of his three plus offerings should lead to some good years in his future. He is worth keeping an eye on in Spring Training as well as in the Minor Leagues should he begin the year there. The 5 foot 10, 205 pounder is undoubtedly hungry to realize his potential. This could prove to be a defining move of the John Hart era in Atlanta.

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