House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves bargain hunting adds eight on draft day 2

By Fred Owens

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 07: A detailed view of the first overall pick of the Washington Nationals Bryce Harper on the draft board during the MLB First Year Player Draft on June 7, 2010 held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 07: A detailed view of the first overall pick of the Washington Nationals Bryce Harper on the draft board during the MLB First Year Player Draft on June 7, 2010 held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves MLB Draft
GLENDALE, AZ – MARCH 04: The shadow of pitcher Scott Elbert #57 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he throws warm ups before the spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch on March 4, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Darius Vines RHSP  R/R 6-1 190 pounds BA rank 425

Darius Vines is a wanted man – or at least he has been a wanted man – this is his third draft selection  The Astros selected him out of high school in the round 32 on the 2016 draft. He said no thanks.

The Cubs selected him from out of Oxnard Junior College in round #27 of the 2017 draft but didn’t offer him enough money. This year the Atlanta Braves pulled his name out of a hat in the seventh round.

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Vines features a four-pitch mix without a real plus pitch, though some consider his high 70s, yellow hammer a Major League ready hook.

He mixes that bender and a fastball that averages 90 mph, out of the same arm slot (tunnel), a slider and changeup that flash average now and then.

While his curve is considered a plus pitch, his fastball is flat and hittable.  Warning signs flash when you see the 4.19 ERA, 1.27 WHIP he had when this season ended (close to his career numbers).

Vines’ velocity dropped as the season went on.  That issue and the quality of his pitches raise doubts about his future as a starter during the grind of 162 game season.

Vines career will rise and fall on his gaining increased endurance, maintaining his nasty curve and the hope he can make that fastball more effective,

Rickey DeVito RHSP R/R 6-3 175  Pipeline 162, BA 114

MLB Draft Preview calls DeVito “ a physical right-hander with power stuff and some projection” and last season that solid starter appeared every game. After his selection by the Atlanta Braves today, Jim Callis said on the MLB Draft coverage stream (no link sorry), in last year’s draft he’d have gained a top 20 selection.

Multiple reports say his fastball in the low-to-mid 90s along with an occasional plus changeup and slider.

Named Big East pitcher of the year in 2018 after striking out 67 and posting a 1.88 ERA, Devito took a few steps backward this year.

DeVito missed time early this season, and that likely contributed to his increased walk and decreased strikeout rates.

In the interview linked above Dana Brown said the Atlanta Braves:

"“We like the fact he’s younger and athletic. We feel like he’s going to grow into some strength.”"

If he gets back on track and improves his secondary pitches, his ceiling is a middle of the rotation starter. If not, a role as a late-inning reliever lies ahead.

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