Todd Redmond: Atlanta Braves 2009 Player Preview

by gondeee on Mar 6, 2009 9:11 AM EST in Community Projections Comment 7 comments

This player preview was written by CB Wilkins, who can be found at dropout productions, and posts here as cbwilk.

When he was first acquired, 23 year old Todd Redmond was a welcome addition, if for no other reason than his arrival coincided with the departure of much maligned reliever Tyler Yates. Redmond was coming off of a disappointing season for Class A Lynchburg in the Pirates chain, where he tied for the league lead in losses and a sharp rise in the number of hits, homeruns, and runs from his previous two seasons led to his ERA ballooning by nearly two runs. It seems the Pirates may have sold low, as that 2007 season looks like an anomaly sandwiched between his highly effective first two seasons with Short Season Williamsport and Class A Hickory and his bounce-back 2008 season with AA Mississippi. While his numbers didn’t return to his Single A levels, they were nonetheless impressive, as Redmond garnered the Southern League Pitcher Of The Year award while helping the team with their league championship.

Redmond is the definition of a pitcher, not a thrower. His fastball barely tops out at 90 MPH, and he relies on accuracy, pounding the strike zone with his fastball, curve, and changeup. His approach leans toward pitching to contact and allowing his defense to make outs. He is a smart pitcher who refuses to hurt himself by walking batters, amassing totals of just 21, 33, 36, and 33 walks over the course of his career.

If he were to reach his absolute potential, Redmond could be a fine, back of the rotation starter, yet his lack of overpowering stuff leads to him profiling best as a middle reliever. Even before all of the free agent signings, he had little chance to make Atlanta’s 2009 roster, so he will go to AAA Gwinnett’s rotation and add more innings and experience. Since he’s on the 40-man roster, he could find himself making a few spot starts for the Braves, but there are enough starters ahead of him on the depth chart that he seems an unlikely candidate for an extended stay in Atlanta’s rotation. Despite this, he should see time with the Major League Braves, and it’s possible that September could be his chance to audition for a 2010 bullpen spot.

A spot-on preview of Redmond, CB's always a good source of info for these minor league guys.
Photo by CB Wilkins.

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How much movement does Redmond have on his fastball? Two seamer?

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by jeg on Mar 6, 2009 9:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think I can answer that with the kind of accuracy you might want. His ball does move well, but it’s nothing spectacular. The big thing about Redmond is he spots his pitches well and mixes them up effectively.

My guess would be that during his 2007 season, he tried to throw harder, wanting to impress people, and lost whatever movement he does have on his pitches. Things got flat and he got hammered. He was still good at spotting the ball, evident by not walking anyone, so this it the only reasonable explanation I can come up with without actually knowing.

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by cbwilk on Mar 6, 2009 11:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Straight fastballs make for short careers for guys like Redmond. I hope its got some sink to it. He smells Chuck James-ish to me in that he posts good numbers because of his polish but doesn’t have plus stuff. Worst case scenario, Redmond seems like a guy who could provide depth and wouldn’t kill a team in spots starts by walking guys round and round the bases. The worst baseball to watch is those rookie kids who can’t find the plate to save their lives. I feel for those guys but you can’t pay me to watch guys throw 100 pitches in 3 and 1/3 innings.

by jeg on Mar 7, 2009 2:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think a better comparison might be Trey Hodges. He didn’t have overpowering stuff, but he had a good feel for pitching, which led to a lot of success in the minors. He ended up getting a full season in Atlanta’s bullpen and was pretty decent, not great, not abysmal. And, looking it up, Redmond’s numbers (aside from 07) seem to be better than Hodges’, with the exception of wins. I don’t know where I would find this, but I’d be willing to bet that James had a good bit higher flyball rate than Redmond too, which could be an indication of Redmond having that sink you’re looking for.

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by cbwilk on Mar 7, 2009 2:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your right about that.

Hodges is a better comp. Though, I think Redmond’s stuff might be just a touch better than what Hodges’ was while he was in the majors. Either way, those types have to prove themselves at every level and still get dismissed.

Hodges is really interesting guy in that he had a mid to high 90’s fastball in college and was thought of as just a thrower. Then, he gets hurt and looses his plus stuff, becomes a pitcher and makes it to the big leagues. Not too many guys lose 10 mph off their fastball before they make it to the big leagues.

by jeg on Mar 7, 2009 3:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Great points. Hodges is an pretty interesting story. Actually, looking him up, I was shocked to see he was still playing last year. I remember a few years ago the Braves brought him back to Richmond for a bit and he looked like he’d lost another 10 MPH on his fastball. I could’ve swore he was finished. But hey, Damian Moss keeps finding a job, so there’s hope for everyone.

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by cbwilk on Mar 7, 2009 3:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs