A Braves top prospect earns promotion

Spencer Schwellenbach has flown under the radar so far this year due to the hype surrounding AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep as well as Owen Murphy‘s blistering start to the season, but he’s a consensus top-five prospect in the organization and is off to a splendid start.

Through six starts this season, Schwellenbach is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA and 1.09 WHIP while striking out 34 batters over 32 innings.

Schwellenbach was drafted in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft as a two-way player out of Nebraska. The Braves viewed him as a pitcher, but he didn’t see action until 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Last season, Schwellenbach made 16 starts between A and High-A ball, recording a 2.49 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.

The arsenal features a heater in the mid-90s, paired with two plus breaking pitches in a slider and curveball. He also has a developing changeup, but perhaps the most attractive aspect of his game to this point has been the control. Through 97 career minor-league innings, Schwellenbach has only walked 25 batters. That’ll be key to him reaching the majors, as he gets set for a much tougher test at the AA level, beginning tonight.