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Atlanta Braves 2018 Minor League Review: Right-handed relievers

By Benjamin Chase

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 7: Arodys Vizcaino #38 of the Atlanta Braves throws a ninth inning pitch against the Miami Marlins at Turner Field on August 7, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 7: Arodys Vizcaino #38 of the Atlanta Braves throws a ninth inning pitch against the Miami Marlins at Turner Field on August 7, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 31: Josh Ravvin #71 of the Atlanta Braves throws an ninth inning inning pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on March 31, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Upper minors

The biggest success story of relievers in the Atlanta Braves system in 2018 was certainly Chad Sobotka. A tall righty with a hard sinker and slider that had struggled with injury, Sobotka was finally healthy in 2018. He jumped from high-A all the way to the majors, making such an impression at the major league level to earn a spot on the postseason roster with the Braves.

Combined across three levels of the minors, Sobotka made 44 appearances, tossing 57 2/3 innings, with a 2.03 ERA and 1.02 WHIP, posting a 29/77 BB/K ratio. Once in the majors, he made 14 appearances, pitching 14 1/3 innings, with a 1.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a 9/21 BB/K ratio, flashing triple-digit heat and poise beyond his experience level.

Converted from catcher to pitcher at Oregon before being drafted in the 4th round in 2015, Josh Graham has struggled at tiems with his control. In 2018, that was once he got to AA Mississippi. Combined between high-A Florida and AA Mississippi, he posted a 5.71 ERA over 63 innings with a 1.62 WHIP and a 41/74 BB/K.

The Braves first round pick in 2013, Jason Hursh has been solid, if not spectacular in the bullpen as a ground-ball master. In 2018, he spent his time between AA and AAA, posting a 3.71 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and a 38/58 BB/K ratio over 68 innings with 14 saves.

After years in Cuba, Elian Leyva was signed by the Braves at 29 years old and spent his first season in the Braves org in 2018 between AA and AAA, with a 2.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 25/79 BB/K over 34 games, 5 of them starts, tossing 87 innings.

Former University of Georgia pitcher Sean McLaughlin struggled in 2018 between high-A Florida and AA Mississippi, posting a 6.14 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, and a 22/31 BB/K ratio over 40 games and 58 2/3 innings.

Brought in from the Dodgers organization, Josh Ravin had a rough season with injuries, making just 19 appearances in AAA and 2 major league appearances, though his time in AAA was good, with a 0.00 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 9/30 BB/K ratio over 18 2/3 innings.

The Braves gave Miguel Socolovich a few calls early on in the season to the major league level, but he posted a ghastly 10.80 ERA over 5 innings. He showed better in 30 appearances with Gwinnett, posting a 2.65 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 51 innings, with a 12/49 BB/K ratio.

Signed as a minor league free agent before the 2018 season out of the Texas Rangers organization, Kelvin Vasquez pitched across three levels in 2018, though he spent most of his time in AA Mississippi. Overall, he made 31 appearances, tossing 52 1/3 innings, with a 5.16 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and a 31/41 BB/K.

An elite strikeout reliever, Jacob Webb simply needs to keep his devastating stuff in the zone to have a future at the back end of a major league bullpen. In 2018, he pitched across AA and AAA, making 51 appearances, throwing 54 1/3 innings, with a 3.15 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 18 saves, and 23/69 BB/K ratio.

The Braves brought in Chase Whitley after the Rays put him on waivers. Injuries bugged his 2018 season, however, limiting him to just one poor appearance in the majors and only 18 appearances in the minors. In those 18 games, he tossed 29 2/3 innings, with a 4.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a 7/28 BB/K ratio.

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