Braves pitching prospect Julio Teheran earns top Appy League honors

by gondeee on Sep 25, 2009 12:24 PM EDT in Braves Minor League News

On the heels of catcher Christian Bethancourt being named the top prospect in the Gulf Coast League, one of the top pitching prospects in the Atlanta Braves organization, Julio Teheran, has been named the top rookie in the the Appalachian League. Teheran is only 18 and considered to be talented enough to be a future ace pitcher.

Other Braves prospects that were ranked in the Appy League top-20 were last year's second-round pick pitcher Tyler Stovall at #16, this year's fourth-round pick shortstop Mycal Jones at #17, and last year's eighth-round pick pitcher Brett Oberholtzer at #20. Also considered for these rankings were two of the best break-out performances in the league, first baseman and league MVP Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg, and lefty Chris Masters, who almost won the league ERA title. It's surprising they were left out, but they were both college pitchers and a bit older for the league.

Danville is usually a hotbed of prospect activity for the Braves, as they play talent that is usually below them, and therefore we often see some anomalous good performances. It is good to see Teheran thought of so highly, especially after the injury struggles of last year. He should spend most of next season in one or both of the A-ball leagues, and with a good performance there, he could be catapulted into being considered our top prospect and one of the top-25 in all of baseball.

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The funny thing is

There was so much hype for Teheran that he actually was a little bit of a letdown this year.

Yes, he dominated in the APP league, but I’m surprised that his K rate wasn’t even higher than it was. And then in Rome, he struggled and was, at times, hit very hard.

Just goes to show that we’re probably expected just a little too much. He’s still only 18, so we need to temper expectations for the next 2-3 years.

by Bronn on Sep 25, 2009 1:59 PM EDT reply actions

I disagree

If he was a polished stud we drafted out of college, He’d be expected to dominate immediately, but he’s a teenager whose got “all the time he needs to develop” as BA writes.

Also, his K rate may not have sparkled, but his low walk totals were impressive enough to offset that, especially in Danville.

You’re probably right that he won’t post these kind of numbers over the next couple of years, but even if he doesn’t, I don’t think that means his ceiling is any lower.

Mat Gamel is way too cool for double consonants.

by VivaLosBravos on Sep 25, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions