With the 24th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, the Braves have picked another Demon Deacon after selecting Jared Shuster with the 25th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. This time, they take power righty Ryan Cusick.
Welcome to Braves Country, @RyanCusick33!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/ufCuRaaerv
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 12, 2021
Cusick is a very interesting pick. His bread and butter is his fastball, which he can pump up to a reported 102 mph. He’s a massive pitcher standing at 6’6 and 225 pounds, and his curveball is developing into a nice secondary offering. He also features a changeup and a slider. Cusick is one of the better strikeout pitchers in college baseball, mostly thanks to that 70 grade fastball I mentioned. He struck out an astounding 13.9 batters per nine innings as a starter, best in the ACC in 2021. Like his former teammate Jared Shuster, he does have a problem with walks, and he will undoubtedly have to cut down on his 4.7 BB/9. However, like Shuster, he played very well in Wood Bat Leagues, which you have to imagine appealed to the Braves. His numbers improved greatly from 2020, so the Braves will have to continue his development and try to harness his raw talent.
Welcome to Atlanta, Ryan!
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