Atlanta Braves: Updated Top 10 Pitching Prospects (Post-Draft)
By Seth Carter
No. 9 Atlanta Braves Pitching Prospect – Freddy Tarnok, RHP
Fastball: 60
Curveball: 50
Changeup: 50
Control: 45
Overall: 45
Tarnok was not a full-time pitcher in high school, but that didn’t stop the Braves from handing out $1.445 million to change his thoughts on heading to college. They selected him with the 80th pick in 2017 out of Riverview High School in Florida.
He won’t be 22 until November of this year and has a fastball that can reach 96 mph. It normally goes between 93-94 mph and is complemented by a power curve. Tarnok is 6-3, 185 pounds so he has room to fill out.
He has a quality curveball but needs to be able to command it better to get the above-average rating. The Braves are hoping he can continue to develop the changeup and the curve, as he has a good feel for both right now.
In 19 starts with the High-A Florida Fire Frogs, he pitched in 98.0 innings with a 4.87 ERA while walking 3.3 batters per nine innings.
Tarnok has a high ceiling and made a huge step in the right direction last season. Not only was it the most innings he had ever pitched in his career, but he lowered his walks per nine to under two in the second part of the season.
He lowered his walks per nine by a full 1.5 batters between Class-A Rome in 2018 and High-A Florida in 2019.
There’s no doubt when the minor leagues resume, Tarnok should find himself with an opportunity to continue working his way through the system. If he shows improvement with his secondary pitches, he could turn into an impressive weapon.