The TomahawkTake Top 20 Atlanta Braves Prospects: 1-5

Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

4. Mike Foltynewicz – Right handed pitcher

This 23-year-old pitcher is on the cusp of being ready to pitch in the majors.  With a good spring training, the Braves fifth starter position could be his.

Foltynewicz was the key acquisition by the Braves in the Evan Gattis trade to Houston.  The 6’4″ 220 pound righty has a powerful fastball that sits in the mid to high 90’s.  It’s known that he has control and command issues and hopefully he has improved upon those this offseason.

He made his major league debut in 2014 as he pitched in 16 games and 18.2 innings for the Astros.  He had a 5.30 ERA while giving up 23 hits, three homers, seven walks and had a .299 opposing batting average.  All these numbers totaled up while he came out of the bullpen.

He is listed on MLB.com’s top prospect as number 57 in the MLB.

Look for Foltynewicz to contend for the Braves fifth starter spot in Spring Training and I feel as though he’ll earn this job.