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5 Atlanta Braves prospects who made big impressions in Spring Training

By Steven Teal

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 13: A baseball sits on the field before a spring training baseball game between the the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 13, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 13: A baseball sits on the field before a spring training baseball game between the the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 13, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Touki Toussaint #62 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets during the Grapefruit League spring training game at First Data Field on February 23, 2019 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Touki Toussaint #62 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets during the Grapefruit League spring training game at First Data Field on February 23, 2019 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Touki Toussaint

Touki Toussaint may be one of the most impressive pitchers for the Atlanta Braves this season. The guy just knows how to pitch and has some nasty breaking pitches.  If Max Fried only has ‘one of the best curveballs in the organization’, it’s because this guy is also a Brave… this one’s the best.

The one question mark for Toussaint throughout his minor league career has been a rather high walk rate.  In 7 games pitched for Atlanta in 2018, Toussaint averaged 6.5 walks per 9 innings.

In the minors, his walk rates ranged anywhere from 3 per 9 innings (AAA over 50 innings last season) to 6+ (2015 over his 1st 49 innings with the Braves in A-ball).

However, it seems that Touki may have gained a bit more control of his pitches as the 2018 calendar was replaced on the wall as he has only walked 2 batters in 14 innings pitched this Spring. He has accordingly shown a lot more confidence in his changeup and fastball.

His curveball is still his best pitch but it has been nice to see how well he can work off of his other pitches to get outs. This confidence has helped Toussaint rack up 17 strike outs over the course of Spring Training.

I don’t think it is surprising to anyone that Touki Toussaint will be in the rotation come Opening Day. He has the “it” factor that all MLB teams look for in their impact players.

However, just like Max Fried, he could be just as effective in a long relief role for the Atlanta Braves. It won’t be long before we find out as Opening Day is only a week away.

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