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Atlanta Braves Top 100 Prospects: #95 Bradley Roney

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 19, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell (45) sits in the dugout in the rain before the game between the New York Yankees and the Braves at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell (45) sits in the dugout in the rain before the game between the New York Yankees and the Braves at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 28, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) throws a warm up 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 warm up pitch during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 Outlook

Roney may have the best strikeout stuff of any minor league reliever in the Braves system. His pitches have an ability to make hitters look absolutely foolish as they chase fastballs beyond their reach up in the zone or chase curves bailing out into the dirt.

He also has the issue of allowing way too many walks as well, though. I don’t know how he can iron out the consistency in his landing spot, but if he does, he could easily blow up into an elite reliever in all of baseball. For comparison’s sake, Roney had a 13.3% walk rate and 33.7% strikeout rate in high-A. Craig Kimbrel had a 21.1% walk rate and a 35.0% strikeout rate in high-A, but he was able to iron out something in his final step toward the majors. Roney taking that same step could seriously turn a similar corner.

Next: Braves Top 100 Prospects Updated

Roney will likely start the season at AA Mississippi in 2016. He’ll have a shot likely as the closer in Mississippi to establish himself as a guy who deserves a shot when guys like Jim Johnson and Jason Grilli are moved midseason. He’s absolutely a guy to keep a strong eye on.

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