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The Atlanta Braves Pitching Staff won’t be All Right for Long

By Scott Ferris

Mar 3, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (78) throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (78) throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 14, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) throws to a Milwaukee Brewers batter at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won the game 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) throws to a Milwaukee Brewers batter at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won the game 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

Apr 14, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) throws to a Milwaukee Brewers batter at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won the game 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

Lefties on the Horizon

Over the past two years, Atlanta has amassed a truly absurd collection of left-handed pitching prospects.

According to the rankings over at MLB.com, there are 33 LHP prospects with a future value (FV) of 50 or higher. Of that group, six (6!) of them play in the Braves farm system.

In a 30 team league, Atlanta currently employs just shy of one-fifth (18.2%) of the top-flight left-handed pitching prospects in the game. The next highest total is three (Rangers and Padres).

Atlanta’s embarrassment of prospect riches is spread out, too. They range from 23 to 19 years old and also from ‘knocking on the door of a big league promotion’ to ‘cutting their teeth in the Gulf Coast League’.

All are immensely talented and spaced out in such a way that the team could potentially have a steady stream of lefties for years to come.

A full rundown of the LHPs in the organizational top 30 list is included below.*

[table id=61 /]

*A.J. Minter, another lefty on the top 30 list has been omitted. He could appear in Atlanta as early as next year but is a relief-only prospect.

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