The Braves have picked up an interesting two-way player with the 59th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, adding Spencer Schwellenbach out of Nebraska:
With the 59th pick, the @Braves select @Husker_Baseball RHP/SS Spencer Schwellenbach, No. 54 on the Top 250 Draft Prospects list.
Watch live:Â https://t.co/oDjcuCzH7G pic.twitter.com/NuMaztcwyv
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) July 12, 2021
Schwellenbach is an exciting prospect, and the Braves grab another guy like Michael Harris and Austin Riley that have potential in the field and on the mound. Schwellenbach didn’t start pitching until the Spring of 2021 due to an elbow injury, but scouts rave about his potential on the mound and as a hitter.
He featured a solid fastball, changeup, and slider as a closer for the Cornhuskers, and he has some of the best exit velocity off his bat in the entire class. Even though he pitched less than 32 innings, scouts like his projectability as a mid-rotation starter. His fastball can hit 99, and his changeup and slider have excellent movement. He won Big Ten Conference player of the year honors and the John Olerud Award as college baseball’s top two-way player. Scouts gave MLBPipeline the comparison of… Jacob deGrom.
Will he be drafted as a shortstop or a pitcher?
Watch Spencer Schwellenbach work on the mound. pic.twitter.com/oguQCqGU5P
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 25, 2021
Now, those are high expectations, but I think Schwellenbach will be just fine if he sticks in the field. He’s a plus runner with some pop in his bat, and I truly think the Braves nailed this pick. Schewellenbach was a guy getting first-round chatter.
Welcome to Atlanta, Spencer!
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