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Atlanta Braves Scouting Report on Pitcher Matt Withrow

By Benjamin Chase

May 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Major league baseball gloves rest on the railing before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Major league baseball gloves rest on the railing before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Future Outlook


Withrow’s heavy fastball along with his excellent slider paired with his size make me think of a young Jason Hammel when he came up with the Rays. Hammel is 6’6, 225, so the size compares well, and he has a four pitch mix that is similar in velocity to what Withrow offers. Hammel made his first appearance in the majors at 23, and he bounced between the rotation and bullpen in the majors until he was 26.

Withrow has great stuff that could play well in the rotation as a 4/5 inning eater type that plays up to a high-end 3 at his best, akin to Hammel, but his stuff would be very high-end in the bullpen if the team chooses to take that path.

Next: Braves Minor League Database

Withrow will get the test of upper minors hitters in 2017. He’ll likely start at AA Mississippi in their rotation in what should be an excellent rotation. From there it will be a matter of how his stuff progresses in 2017 to where his ultimate destination is as he will be pitching 2017 at 23 years old, so he’s in that time where the team cannot exactly wait long on development for him, but with his arm health history from college, they don’t want to push him too hard either.

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