Fansided

Atlanta Braves Opening Day countdown: 59, Undrafted

By Benjamin Chase |
7 Mar 2000: Paul Assenmacher #77 of the Atlanta Braves winds back to pitch the ball during the Spring Training Game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Field in Lakeland, Florida. The Braves defeated the Tigers 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport
7 Mar 2000: Paul Assenmacher #77 of the Atlanta Braves winds back to pitch the ball during the Spring Training Game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Field in Lakeland, Florida. The Braves defeated the Tigers 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport

Along the history of the Atlanta Braves, scouting has been a significant part of the success of the team. That often shows up in the success of undrafted players over the course of the franchise.

The MLB Draft was regulated to 40 rounds beginning in 2012. Before that, teams could pick until they were simply done selecting players, which has made the players that the Atlanta Braves were able to sign and develop as undrafted free agents in that era with unlimited draft picks an even more impressive feat.

One of the more notable players of the last 30 or so years in that impressive scouting and development by the Atlanta Braves was left-handed reliever Paul Assenmacher. While Assenmacher won’t ever be a guy who gets traction from the Veteran’s Committee for the Hall of Fame, he did have an impressive career, considering his starting point.

Assenmacher attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Modern enrollment at Aquinas College is in the range of 1,500-1,750 undergraduate students, and while finding exact numbers are difficult, estimated numbers in the late 1970s when Assenmacher attended the school were roughly 800-1,200 undergraduate students, which is roughly the size of an incoming freshman class at an SEC school.

More from Tomahawk Take

Initially a starter in the minor leagues, Assenmacher moved to the bullpen in his third year in the system and rocketed up to the doorstep of the major leagues. He broke camp with the Atlanta Braves in 1986, sporting the number 59 on his jersey.

He had an excellent rookie season, pitching in 61 games, tossing 68 1/3 innings, with a 2.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 26/56 BB/K. He even saved 7 games, second on the team that season.

That first year would be Assenmacher’s best year with the Braves, as he struggled in 1987 before having a very nice year in 1988 and showing well in 1989 before the Braves traded him mid-season to the Cubs. Overall, his line with the Atlanta Braves was 226 games, 14 saves, 260 innings, with a 3.46 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 98/230 BB/K ratio.

Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even drafted.

Next. Don't forget Freddie, Braves fans!. dark

The Atlanta Braves would meet up with Assenmacher again in 1995 as he was in his first season as a member of the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in 4 games that World Series, working as a lefty specialist. He would make his final attempt at the big leagues in Spring Training in 2000 with the Atlanta Braves, but he did not make the club.

Home / Braves History

Schedule