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Jonny Venters a Top Prospect in Hawaii

From Baseball America's writeup of the top-20 prospects in the Hawaiian Winter League, our lefty starter Jonny Venters was ranked as the 14th-best in the league:

Venters ranked as the league's second-best lefthander (among U.S.-affiliated players) for several observers, trailing only [Jeremy] Bleich. A draft-and-follow signee, Venters has taken his time to develop but showed three average pitches in Hawaii. His fastball sits in the 87-90 mph range, at times touching 92. His slider remains too inconsistent for some scouts, but others saw it as an average pitch that flashed plus at times. His changeup is his best pitch, and he projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

"His fastball is deceptive and heavy," Cole said. "He hides it well, and his change gives him a putaway pitch."

Nice review of Venters, though I think the jury's still out on him, and even with a good year in Mississippi next season he will likely only turn into next year's James Parr. Gosh, it sure seems like so many of the young pitchers the Braves had high hopes for are turning into back of the rotation starters. Even guys like Chuck James, Horacio Ramirez, and Kyle Davies, who had strong starts to their careers fell into a back-end of the rotation starter mold at best. While I like the good news on Venters, I'm still not going to get too excited about these kinds of guys... I'm waiting on Tommy Hanson.

In 8 games, 7 starts and 31 innings pitched, Venters had a 2.90 ERA, 33 hits, 1 HR, 8 walks, and 26 strikeouts. He is elidgible for the Rule V draft this year, though it's unlikely anyone will take a chance on him.

0 recs  |  Comment 6 comments

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I’m guessing the Hawaiian league isn’t too great if their 2nd-best lefty is a back of the rotation guy…weird how prospects with dwindling potential get to play in that paradise though.

by MattDiazFanClub on Dec 1, 2008 8:16 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Hawaii

Is bizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzooooooooooooooooomb!

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 1, 2008 10:44 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Good For Venters

It’s good to see the kid get some recognition. And ontop of that, we should be thankful that his ceiling is much higher and his stuff is much better that Parr’s.. Not an equal comparison in my opinion. The kid is coming back off of TJ as well…

by Whodunnit?4040 on Dec 1, 2008 8:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

how’d kala end up finishing in hawaii? still horrid?

Following the Braves...one long hard drink at a time.

by bigjoe on Dec 2, 2008 9:51 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

.818 OPS, good power, but LOTS of K’s for KK, 39 in 26 games, 86 at-bats

by gondeee on Dec 2, 2008 9:54 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Venters

Venters has been an impessive pitcher when he has been healthy. I am not sure what his ceiling is, but I am not surprised that he is pitching well. I tend to think that he will be a middle reliever or a swing man. Both Venters and Parr might well become solid starters….

by Stephen in the UAE on Dec 2, 2008 6:02 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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