30. Dylan Dodd
Personal Rank: 32
Dylan Dodd was the Atlanta Braves third-round selection out of Southeast Missouri State University. The 6’3 lefty is an intriguing prospect that could quickly rise up rankings.
The Braves may also be aggressive with his promotions.
In his final collegiate season, he struck out 120 over 96.2 innings with a 3.17 ERA. More impressively, he only walked 17 batters over that span.
Dodd pitched in 14 professional innings for the Braves between Augusta and Rome. The ERA may not have looked great in the short sample size, but the strikeout potential was on full display.
Facing 61 batters, Dodd struck out 20 translating to a 32.7% strikeout rate which is elite. It will be interesting to see if he can keep up the strikeouts as he advances through the minors.
Dodd showed phenomenal control, walking only 3 batters for a 4.9% walk rate. As mentioned, it is a small sample of professional ball for Dodd, but there was plenty to love about the profile.
Dodd does not overpower anyone currently with the fastball, which sits in the low to mid 90s. However, the advanced control and excellent spin rates make it an effective pitch.
He pairs this well with an effective changeup that serves as his number two pitch. He also has a curveball that needs work but could work well off his other two pitches.
Dylan Dodd goes to the changeup for his first professional strikeout pic.twitter.com/P1kIFMBVFf
— Garrett Spain (@BravesMILB) August 22, 2021
Dodd projects as a number 4 starter right now, but the Braves were aggressive with him which could suggest they see something in him. A big 2022 could see Dodd rise prospect rankings.