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Atlanta Braves select A J Graffanino plus two

By Fred Owens

in 1990 the Atlanta Braves drafted Tony Graffanino. Eighteen years later they drafted his son ( Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Cardinals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport
in 1990 the Atlanta Braves drafted Tony Graffanino. Eighteen years later they drafted his son ( Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Cardinals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport /
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in 1990 the Atlanta Braves drafted Tony Graffanino. Eighteen years later they drafted his son
in 1990 the Atlanta Braves drafted Tony Graffanino. Eighteen years later they drafted his son ( Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves defeated the Cardinals 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport /

The Atlanta Braves pick in the eighth round of the 2018 draft included a last name most Braves fans will recognize.

The Atlanta Braves chose another position player in round eight, this time a talented shortstop from Washington.

Atlanta Braves Select, A.J. Graffanino, Washington University, LHH shortstop 6-foot-2 and 170 lbs.

BA Rank #242

The Atlanta Braves selected Anthony Joseph Tony Graffanino in the tenth round of the 1990 draft. Fans will remember him as Tony, a light hitting utility man with the team from 1996 through 1998.  This year the Braves selected shortstop Anthony Joseph Graffanino Jr in the eighth round.

AJ is the same size as dad who also began as a shortstop. Baseball America describe AJ as:

"“One of the most talented defenders in college baseball. . a quick-twitch infielder with range and average arm strength. . (possibly) above-average arm strength . . .but scouts have rarely seen . . .(him) air it out . ."

They go on to describe AJ as a slap hitter who likes to show off his legs to get a hit.

Atlanta Braves Select, Ryan Shetter, RHP 6-foot-2 and 200 lbs out of Texas Tech University  @ryanshetter

The ninth round saw the Braves return to selecting pitchers, this time an unranked starter from Friendswood Texas.

Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves /

Atlanta Braves

Shetter worked as a starter in 2017, finishing 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, striking out 74 and walking 27 in 70 IP while allowing six home runs.

The 2018 season saw him split time between starting and relieving. Altogether he made 19 appearances (8 starts) throwing 63 2/3 innings with a 2.97 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, striking out 69 and walking 26 while allowing six home runs.

(Statistics from The Baseball Cube)

According to his coach, Shetter features an above average breaking ball and locates his fastball well. The video shows him working in a summer league last year.

While the announcer calls his breaking pitch a slider, it’s really an old fashioned hook – a very good hook,  He’s not afraid to work his fastball up in the zone and gets results doing it.

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