After a dominating display of power the last month of 2017, it’s time to get ready for a new potential closer in Atlanta.
Since the trading of Craig Kimbrel the night prior to the start of the 2015 regular season, the Atlanta Braves have long searched for a shut-down All-Star caliber closer, but to no avail. In the teams’ three-straight losing seasons, the organization’s nagging problem may finally have an answer: A.J. Minter.
Minter, 24, pitched in 16 games at the major league level in 2017, providing an impressive 26 strikeouts in just 15 innings. Before the power-relievers debut in Atlanta Aug. 23, Minter tallied 77 strikeouts in 59 career innings in the minors, showcasing top-prospect potential with a 2.14 ERA.
Despite the southpaw’s promotion to “The Show” last year, he still is considered a rookie in 2018, and the No. 12 pitching prospect in Atlanta’s system.
As the No. 20 overall Braves prospect, Minter followed pitchers Kolby Allard, Mike Soroka (No. 2 and No. 4 ATL prospects) and Austin Riley (No. 9 ATL prospect) in the 2015 MLB Draft to Atlanta. At No. 75 in the draft, the lefty was taken. Minter underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014 at Texas A&M, and because of the injury, his stock of being a first-round selection fell.
Still, despite being a second-round pick, Atlanta believed they had a steal. Thus far, after his quick rise in two years through the farm system, it’s looking like they may be right.
With a fastball living in the 94-98 mph range, Minter’s similar left-handed makeup and repertoire of former Brave, Billy Wagner isn’t far-fetched. It’s too early to tell if Minter will have half the career of the worthy Hall-of-Famer, but fans in Atlanta can only hope to see similar results.
The expectation is for 27-year-old Arodys Vizcaino (yes – he’s still just 27!) to begin the season in the closing role after an up-and-down 2017 season. The right-hander posted a 2.83 ERA with 14 saves in 2017, however, if Vizzy struggles or has injury issues as he did a season ago, it could open the door for Minter.
If nothing else, the Braves have a potent 1-2 combination lined up for the 8th and 9th innings.
As the No.1 farm system of Baseball America heading into 2018, pitchers make up 11 the first 18 top prospects for ATL according to MLB Pipeline. The rankings emphasize starting pitching, of course.
Next: Gohara continues to work his way back into game action.
A lot of these pitchers such as Allard, Soroka, Kyle Wright and Ian Anderson we could see soon, but the focus right now should be on the next potential pitching star: Minter.