With the addition of the 2023 draft class, the Braves are starting to have a number of pitching prospects worth getting excited about.
We’ve already seen a couple of top 10 prospects make their major-league debuts this season on the mound in AJ Smith-Shawver and Darius Vines. Both could become staples of Atlanta’s staff in the near future. Most fans also know about first-round pick Hurston Waldrep, but add Cade Kuehler and Spencer Schwellenbach to the list of prospects to watch.
Kuehler was a second-round selection out of Campbell University, who made his second start last night with the Augusta Green Jackets. He tossed 4.2 innings while allowing just two baserunners with five strikeouts. Through seven total innings in his professional career, he’s allowed just one hit.
https://twitter.com/GreenJackets/status/1699579322850218315
Don’t be surprised to see Kuehler move up the ranks quickly, as the Braves have done so often with their prospects recently. His stuff is electric, featuring a fastball that tops out in the high 90s. He also mixes in a slider, curveball, and changeup. I wouldn’t be shocked if he was promoted for his next start.
Not to be outdone, Spencer Schwellenbach was perfect for the Rome Braves. He went six clean innings with six strikeouts.
Well, that's some perfection.
No. 3 @Braves prospect Spencer Schwellenbach goes 18 up, 18 down for @TheRomeBraves: pic.twitter.com/YHRIkH7xiB
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 7, 2023
https://twitter.com/TheRomeBraves/status/1699588891785707709
After missing last season due to Tommy John Surgery, Schwellenbach has bounced back nicely in his first taste of professional baseball. He posted a 2.63 ERA over 13 starts with the Green Jackets before earning a promotion to Rome, where he’s been even better, owning a 1.98 ERA, .091 average against and 0.37 WHIP over his first three outings. Another former second-round pick from the 2021 MLB Draft, Schwellenbach should begin next season in AA with a real opportunity to work his way to the majors in the next couple of years.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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