Yesterday we took a look at the possible ways the Atlanta Braves could go in this year's MLB Draft (link), and today we'll take a look at one of those possibilities when we examine five high school pitchers the Braves could be targeting with their first round pick, number-28 overall.
Henry Owens, LHP, Edison HS, CA
A low-90s fastball is complemented by three other potential plus pitches. The entire package is promising, but there are reservations about his lack of a current plus pitch, though there is plenty of projection in his frame and arm.
Projected pick by: Baseball America
Joe Ross, RHP, Bishop O'Dowd HS, CA
His brother Tyson Ross has had some success this year in Oakland's starting rotation. Joe may have the better arm, pitching in the mid to low-90s with good secondary offerings in a changeup and a slurvy curveball. He's an athletic player, and has a much more refined pitching motion that his brother.
Projected pick by: Keith Law
Jose Fernandez, RHP, Alonso HS, FL
More advanced and older than most high school arms, this Cuban refugee sits in the mid to upper-90s, and commands a plus curve and slider. With three good offerings and one of the fastest prep arms in the draft he shouldn't be around when the Braves select, but if he is they should pounce.
Projected pick by: Jonathan Mayo
Dillon Howard, RHP, Searcy HS, AR
A good mid to low-90s fastball is complemented by two plus offerings in his curve and change. He's an all-around great baseball player on both sides of the ball, though his senior season was not as spectacular as some had hoped.
Projected pick by: John Sickels
Robert Stephenson, RHP, Alhambra HS, CA
His only refined pitch is a plus fastball in the mid-90s, though he has a promising curve and changeup. He's raw with his stuff, and offers a lot of physical projection in his body. That yet to be refined approach could push him to the Braves, where they would almost certainly take a high-upside arm like his.
Projected pick by: MLB Bonus Baby
Keeping in the tradition of "all lazy journalists think alike," our old pal seems to have posted almost this exact same story at SBNATL. In the words of my hair idol, "you're fired."