While one can quibble with their draft strategy overall, it is very clear that the Atlanta Braves confident in their ability to identify pitchers that they like and can turn into big leaguers. They continue to prioritize pitching in the first round going back years and with success stories like Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, it is hard to argue with them. In fact, it looks like they may have found another very intriguing arm in Luke Sinnard.
Sinnard wasn't a day one pick nor did any have him getting picked much earlier than the third round when the Braves scooped him up out of Indiana. He had missed the entire 2024 season after Tommy John surgery and only got picked as high as he did because Atlanta liked what they saw in some pre-draft bullpens.
Now, after a crazy start to the 2025 season, it appears as though the Braves may have found another diamond in the rough that, assuming things continue to go well, could factor into Atlanta's pitching plans in short order.
Luke Sinnard is quietly making a name for himself down in the Braves' minor league system
The first thing that stands out about Sinnard is his size at a listed 6'8 and 250 pounds. Despite his hulking size, Sinnard is not a power pitcher per se as his fastball generally sits 93-95 and he can reach back for a little bit more.
However, his size and high arm slot combined with is ability to spin his fastball makes the pitch extremely effective at the top of the zone and gets some silly swing. He has two breaking balls with his slider being a nice chase pitch against righties and a hammer curve he can throw to batters from either side. He has also added a splitter of some flavor that is quickly becoming one of his best pitches.
Coming off elbow surgery and pitching very little at all in his draft year beyond bullpens and the MLB Draft Combine, most had little idea how Sinnard would look at first as a pro. Through his first six starts down in the minors in 2025, he has exceeded any reasonable expectations as he currently has a 1.13 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 11 walks in 24 inning of work.
Now, Sinnard is going to have to cut down on his walks and he IS doing this against low-A hitters which leaves something to be desired in terms of level of competition. However, having some command issues coming off Tommy John is very common and Sinnard is doing exactly what he should do at the level if he is an advanced arm. Expect him to get moved up to at least high-A in relatively short order. Once that happens and he makes a few starts against more advanced hitters, we'll know how "real" this start to 2025 for Sinnard truly is.