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Atlanta Braves Top 100 Prospects: #96 Jorge Zavala

By Benjamin Chase

Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of the outfield scoreboard and bullpen at dusk in a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of the outfield scoreboard and bullpen at dusk in a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 28, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 Outlook

Zavala’s inconsistency with his release angle is the biggest issue that could hold him from really pushing forward in 2016. He’ll likely start at AA Mississippi, and if he retires batters at the same pace as he did in the 2015 season, he’ll be moving up to AAA Gwinnett quickly. If he can get his release spot consistent, he’ll be a force in the late innings for the Braves.

Next: Braves Top 100 Prospects Updated

Zavala has an opportunity to be a trail blazer for Honduras ball players, but most of all, he has an opportunity to be an integral part of the bullpen. He’s not the type of guy who blazes a fastball 100mph, and that could mean that his stuff fades as he moves up the ladder comparative to other relievers in the system, but thus far that ridiculous curve ball and heavy sinker have been impossible for hitters to solve when utilized in a short spurt. We’ll see how his 2016 results either vault him forward or expose that low-90s velocity.

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