The Atlanta Braves drafted pitcher Jaret Hellinger in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB draft out of Ola High School in McDonough, Georgia. The 6’4″ 170 pound 19-year-old spent his first season (a few months) in the Gulf Coast League.
In his first four appearances as a professional ball player, he came into the game from the bullpen. The final six appearances he was the starter. In 2015, he went 2-2 with a 3.15 ERA and 1.398 WHIP in the 34.1 innings pitched.
Hellinger was ranked number 66 on Ben Chase’s top 100 list he published earlier this week.
The lefty-pitcher is a homegrown prospect…which the Braves have been known to draft.
To get to know Jaret, we reached out to him to see if he’d participate in a quick Q&A session…he greatly accepted the offer!
Tomahawk Take: Talk about your first season with the Atlanta Braves organization, is it everything you dreamed it would be being a hometown guy?
Jaret Hellinger: My first season was amazing, and yes it was everything I dreamed and more, to be drafted and play for the Braves was unreal I honestly can’t even put into words how awesome it was.
TT: What was it like or your feelings when you heard the Braves drafted you?
JH: I was shocked because I had no idea that they were gonna draft me until I checked Twitter randomly and saw it. Then I went crazy cause I have been going to Braves games since I was 4 years old.
TT: You’re first few games in the Gulf Coast League you came out of the bullpen, then the final six games you were the starter….do you prefer starting or relief?
JH: I prefer being a starter mostly because it’s what I have been my whole life.
TT: What do you see yourself as 5 years down the road?
JH: A starter in the Bigs.
TT: For fans who are unaware of your pitching style…who do you think you best resemble?
JH: Cole Hamels
TT: What pitches are in your throwing bag?
JH: I throw a Fastball, 2-Seam fastball, change-up, and a 12/6 curveball.
TT: What do you think is your top 2 pitches?
JH: My top 2 pitches are my Change-Up and my Fastball.
TT: Where do you see yourself starting 2016 with the Braves organization and which team do you think you’ll end the season with?
JH: I see myself starting in Danville and ending the season with Rome.
TT: What are your goals for the 2016 season and what would be your goals for the next 5 seasons?
JH: My goal is to be in Rome for the majority of my 2016 season. My goals for the next 5 season is to stay healthy, gain weight, and move up in the organization.