Atlanta Braves draft history part two: pitching prospects
By Fred Owens
Kris Medlen
The Braves selected Medlen in the 10th round of the 2006 Rule 4 draft. He along with Jonny Venters provide the kind of stories we like to tell our kids, great stories about hard work bringing success. Prior to his first injury, and in the full season after his return, Meds made the scout who recommended him look very good indeed.
Atlanta Braves
Medlen holds the major league record for consecutive starts resulting in a Braves win. The streak began on May 29, 2010, with a six-inning start in the victory over the Phillies. In his next ten starts, he threw:
- Eight innings twice
- Seven innings four times
- Six innings once
- Five innings three times
- One inning in each of four relief appearances between starts seven and eight
The last outing took place on August 4, 2010. Medlen left with a torn UCL and had his first TJ surgery that offseason. He returned for two relief appearances in September 2011.
Nice comeback Kris
In 2012 he pitched in 38 relief appearances before making his next start on July 31, just four days short of two full years after his last win.
That day he threw five innings to beat the Marlins. In the next 11 games, he went:
- Six innings twice
- Seven innings four times
- Eight innings three times
- A nine-inning, complete game shutout against the Padres
- A nine-inning five hit one-run, complete game to beat the Rockies
In those starts, he threw 82-2/3 innings allowing 11 runs, striking out 84 and walking 10. Batters hit .191/.218/.265/.483 against Medlen in that stretch.
My handy-dandy calculator says that’s a 0.97 ERA and 0.814 WHIP as the Braves chased the Nationals for the division title. He lost his first start in 2013 to the Phillies
The Braves won two of his three starts before May 29, 2010. Had they not lost to the Pirates in the ninth inning on May 23, the record would be 26 consecutive starts. Thank you, Takashi Saito.
Medlen finished 20th in the 2012 MVP vote.