On August 31 the Atlanta Braves announced four names chosen to take part in the Arizona Fall League this year. Twelve days later they added more.
As Ben told us, the Atlanta Braves initially chose Braxton Davidson, Ray-Patrick Didder, Cristian Pache, and Isranel Wilson to visit the Valley of the Sun this November. In his post, Ben suggested more names would be added and suggested who that might be.
"What was most notable on the list . . . was the lack of arms listed . . . three arms that I thought would have a chance. . . Joey Wentz . . . lefty Luiz Gohara . . . (and) Keith Weisenberg . . ."
Ben correctly identified the position but whiffed on the names. (That’s your mistake for the month boss, I won’t tell anyone.)
Today MLBPipeline listed the latest names provided by Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos and at least is a surprise, at least for me: Kyle Muller, Thomas Burrows, Adam McCreery, and Jeremy Walker
Kyle Muller
The Atlanta Braves selected lefty Kyle Muller in the second round of the 2016 draft behind first-round selections Ian Anderson and Joey Wentz. On the day of the draft, Braves scouting director Brian Bridges told David O’Brien then of the AJC “His breaking ball has just got to tighten up a little but he’s an animal.” They apparently found the proper sized wrench.
In 20 games split between the two Atlanta Braves rookie league teams in 2016 and 2017, Muller threw 75 1/2 innings, struck out 87 batters, walked 30 and pitched to a 3.23 ERA, 1.156 WHIP. Those numbers earned him a bump up to Rome to start the 2018 season.
He made six starts for Rome, threw 30 innings, struck out 23, walked eight, posted a 2.40 ERA, and 1.07 WHIP. The Braves liked that and sent him to Orlando to play for the A+ Fire Frogs.
Muller made 14 starts there, throwing 80 2/3 innings. striking out 79, walking 32, posting a 3.32 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Those numbers and other promotions within the system bought him a ticket to Pearl at the beginning of August. He continued to impress with Mississippi throwing 29 innings in five starts, striking out 27, walking eight and finishing his short AA stint with a 0.966 WHIP and 3.10 ERA.
When drafted BA ranked him as the #25 player in the draft. Pipeline currently ranks Muller as the Braves’ #11 prospect. While Baseball America’s July update ($) doesn’t go farther the top ten, it suggests that his improved velocity (91-93) made him a player to watch.