Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Prospects Who Could Explode In 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World infielder Yoan Moncada (11) celebrates with teammates after a two-run home run during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World infielder Yoan Moncada (11) celebrates with teammates after a two-run home run during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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A.J. Minter, LHP, Atlanta Braves

For those unaware, I also do writing for Tomahawk Take, the Atlanta Braves blog with FanSided. I recently did a scouting report on A.J. Minter, so to say I’m well acquainted with his background would be putting it lightly.

Minter is a pitcher who has really experienced the two major maladies that beset young pitchers in the game now, as he went through Thoracic Outlet Syndrome as a freshman in college and Tommy John surgery as a junior.

The Braves drafted him in 2015 in the 2nd round and paid him an above-slot bonus, in spite of him not being able to throw in 2015 at all.

In 2016, he did not pitch until a month into the minor league season, but once he got going, he was ridiculously good. He did not allow a run with low-A or high-A, and he finished his season pitching with the Braves AA bullpen.

Minter had a 1.30 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 8.21% walk rate, and 35.07% strikeout rate over 31 appearances and 34 2/3 innings in the regular season. In the AA playoffs, he threw 3 1/3 perfect innings with 4 strikeouts.

Minter works with a fastball that he can run to 98-99 from the left side with a significant amount of arm side run, however, his big weapon is his devastating slider.

He uses the slider in two ways, and one goes with minimum vertical movement, and the other is more of a wipeout slider that dives at the toes of a right-handed hitter.

Minter very well could end up in the Atlanta bullpen this season, and there are many who say he could end up an elite closer from the left side, which puts him in an elite company.

Next: A Giant Slugger

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