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Atlanta Braves Midseason Top 50 Prospects: 50-41

By Benjamin Chase

Jun 14, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jason Hursh (56) throws to the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Jason Hursh (56) throws to the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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50. Chase Johnson-Mullins, LHP, Florida Fire Frogs

After a “long” path from high school in 2012, the Atlanta Braves drafted Johnson-Mullins out of Sheldon State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in the 13th round of the 2015 draft.

The big (6’8″, 275-“ish”) lefty works with a pair of fastballs and a curve, though his best pitch combo is his two-seam fastball and his hard-snapping curve. He can work into the upper 90s with his four-seam fastball, and the pitch is incredibly effective up in the zone after setting up hitters low in the zone with the two-seamer and curve.

After a suspension with Carolina, Johnson-Mullins went to low-A Rome, where he was able to dominate out of the bullpen for the eventual South Atlantic League champions in 2016. Overall, in his first full season in 2016, he tallied a 2.77 ERA in 40 appearances and 55 1/3 innings, with a 1.30 WHIP, and a 26/51 BB/ ratio.

This season, Johnson-Mullins has come out with the Florida Fire Frogs and been absolutely dominant in the bullpen, making 16 appearances, throwing 31 1/3 innings, with a 2.87 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 13/34 BB/K ratio.

49. Ryan Lawlor, LHP, Rome Braves

Originally born in Michigan, the Braves drafted Lawlor out of the University of Georgia in the 8th round. He showed very well in his draft year, with a 2.30 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 12/25 BB/K ratio with Danville over 8 games and 7 starts.

The Braves moved Lawlor up to high-A Carolina in 2016, but he struggled with his location and was eventually moved to the bullpen. Lawlor got his location back, but was hit hard in the bullpen. Overall, he posted a 4.66 ERA over 46 1/3 innings in 16 games, posting a 1.42 WHIP and a 29/44 BB/K ratio.

The Braves sent Lawlor to Rome to be the veteran presence in that staff this year. Until he was injured, he was doing even a touch more than that, as he had thrown 47 1/3 innings, with a 4.37 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and a 16/61 BB/K ratio right when he was putting himself into position to be a guy the Braves could spin in a trade. The increased strikeout rate could allow him to be a solid reliever as he climbs the system ladder.

Next: 48, 47

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