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Former Atlanta Braves Prospect Looking For Job

By Fred Owens

Jul 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tyrell Jenkins (61) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tyrell Jenkins (61) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Tyrell Jenkins stretches during spring training workouts at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

What’s Next?

Tyrell is just 24 and will get a chance somewhere, the Reds, Padres, Rays, Giants and perhaps the White Sox come to mind as likely landing spots if he refuses assignment. A reunion with the Braves is possible but I think unlikely so quickly after trading him.

It’s been suggested that a permanent move to the pen would help him and I agree. He lacks a good third pitch and doesn’t have a strikeout arm but he is a 58% ground ball guy who the right pitching coach could turn into a useful middle reliever. If I were his agent I’d be in touch with the Giants and White Sox first as Don Cooper and Dave Righetti are guys who might make that happen.

That’s A Wrap

Jenkins story is not unique by any stretch of the imagination. Yesterday the Royals signed Garin Cecchini to a minor league deal. Cecchini was a fourth round pick in 2010 but a consensus top 100 prospect  before the 2014 season.

In 2015 his bat vanished and the Brewers got him from Boston for cash. He spent this season in AAA at Colorado Springs but his bat continued to be missing and Brewers nontendered him. There are many more stories like this

The media hype prospects to keep fans reading and give them an idea what’s coming for their team. What we don’t hear them saying often is how hard it is to move from prospect to contributing major leaguer. So a word of caution is due.

It’s right to be excited about prospects, I love Tyrell Jenkins as a person and sincerely want him to succeed. It’s also wise to remember that even the best prospects fail now and then, particularly pitching prospects –TINSSAAPP.

Next: How Are Thing Going in Philly

When these players don’t get promoted as quickly as we’d like it’s usually not because they want to save money or generate some kind of business advantage. In most cases it’s because the player isn’t ready and rushing them can stunt their professional growth.

Teams have a huge investment in these players and wants to give them their best shot at success. That’s what we should want as well.

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