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Atlanta Braves MLB Draft: Top 5 college pitchers to target

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 31: Atlanta Braves mascot Blooper and left fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. #13 play around in the dugout during a rain delay before the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on July 31, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 31: Atlanta Braves mascot Blooper and left fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. #13 play around in the dugout during a rain delay before the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on July 31, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 26: A baseball sits on the mound before the game pitting the Minnesota Twins against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field on April 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 26: A baseball sits on the mound before the game pitting the Minnesota Twins against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field on April 26, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

RHP – Jackson Rutledge – San Jacinto Junior College

Earlier I mentioned who Keith Law thought the Braves might be targeting at nine, and in his latest MLB Draft mock he has the Atlanta Braves taking junior college pitcher Jackson Rutledge with that pick.

He also notes in that article that Rutledge thew for team officials at SunTrust Park recently.

Another big right-handed pitcher, Rutledge stands at 6-foot-8.

He started his collegiate career at Arkansas where he pitched in 12 games as a freshman (2 starts) and posted an ERA of 3.45 in 15.2 innings with 14 strikeouts and a save.

But Rutledge hurt his hip in February of that freshman season and tried to pitch through it before getting shut down for the season because of a torn hip labrum.

After recovering from the injury, he decided to play the 2019 season at the junior college level as he worked his way back. With San Jacinto this year he’s done more than that by posting a minuscule ERA of 0.87 in 82.2 innings with 134 strikeouts and just 30 walks.

He has shot up MLB draft boards and is now considered a top 10 pick by most.

Rutledge throws four pitches, including a fastball that sits in the upper 90s, and a slider that has become a weapon for him this year.

There is a lot of upside with Rutledge here as he has the frame and stuff to be a top of the rotation pitcher. But it would be a big risk for the Atlanta Braves to take someone who doesn’t have much of a track record in college — especially not at the D-1 level (he’s committed to play at Kentucky for the 2020 season if he doesn’t sign after the MLB Draft).

However, the Braves have the ability to go above slot to sign the sophomore if they believe in his stuff, and that he will be able to maintain his command and mechanics with that big frame.

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