With the 14th overall pick, the Braves opted to select Kolby Allard, a left-handed pitcher out of San Clemente High School. MLB.com had Allard rated as their second-best left-hander in this Draft, and the top rated high school pitcher. If not for a stress fracture Allard suffered in his back in his third start this season, many thought he could be a top 3 pick in this year’s draft. He was the MVP for 2014’s Perfect Game All-Star Game. This a kid that the Braves believe could be an ace. He’s a tall, lanky lefty at 6’1”, 175 pounds that throws an above-average fastball, curveball and changeup. According to head scout Roy Clark, he was Atlanta’s top rated pitcher on their board headed into this season. He was the USA national Team’s best pitcher. Allard also wanted to be a Brave. After suffering his injury, the Braves were the only team he would allow to check out his injury and have access to his medical reports. According to Clark, Allard has been throwing bullpens in Atlanta stress-free for four weeks, and though he is committed to UCLA, he will “sign within the week.” In the 17-year old’s Junior year, he tossed to a 1.32 ERA. The Braves got their guy in Kolby Allard.
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