Prospect Watch: Kris Medlen

The Braves have called up Kris Medlen after sending Jo-Jo Reyes to the pen. Wait, don't you mean that they called up Tommy Hanson? Nope. The Braves needed a pitcher and they called up Kris Medlen from the minors. Tommy Hanson is certainly the more hyped of the two pitchers, but Medlen certainly has been the better of the two at AAA. So far Medlen has put up a fantastic line of: 0.98 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 44 Ks, 10 BB, in only 37 innings. Really, what more could he do? He's not your prototypical pitcher at only 5'10", but you can't argue with results. The guy can make the ball dance. Temper your hopes a little as he may only be up until Glavine is healthy, but we'll see. Medlen should probably only be owned in deep leagues (once he shows up on the FA list). However, if he stays hot (and in the majors), he will be owned in all leagues soon. -Scout Monkey

(scout_monkey@gmx.com)

Braves Call Up Top Pitching Prospect

By Scout Hoffman (seniorbeisbol(at)gmail.com) profantasybaseball.com With the realization that Jo-Jo Reyes and his 6+ ERA were not long for the rotation, the Atlanta Braves have sent him to the bullpen. This move makes room for highly touted prospect, Kris Medlen to make his major league debut with a start on Tuesday at home against Colorado. Sorry Tommy Hansen enthusiasts, it is not your time yet. Medlen was voted the Braves number nine prospect in their system by Baseball America prior to this season. His numbers in AAA this year have done nothing to discount this statement. For the International League Gwinnet Braves, Medlen has posted a microscopic ERA of 0.96 and fanned 44 in while going 5-0 over six starts. His 2008 stats were equally impressive as he struck out 120 hitters in 120.1 innings with an ERA of 3.52 in AA ball. At 5’10” he is not your prototypical power armed righty, but Roy Oswalt and Tim Lincecum have proved that you do not need to be 6’6” to bring mid to low 90’s heat and be successful. Scouts say that he has command of three plus pitches; a fastball, a curveball, and a change. He has put a lot of work into developing his change and if he can use it effectively in the majors he could become a solid pitcher, but not quite an ace. Throughout the years, the Braves farm system has certainly proved that they can develop pitchers, so it should come as no shock that they have two potential studs coming up this close together. Medlen is certainly worth a grab in all NL-Only leagues and larger mixed leagues for those in need of strikeouts. Tommy Hansen has the better upside between the two starters, and no one knows what will happen when and if Tom Glavine returns healthy. I cannot see both Hansen and Medlen in the rotation this year (barring injuries) because that would mean sending Kenshin Kawakami and his eight million dollar salary to the bullpen. There is a chance that Medlen could be sent to the bullpen or to the minors, so if you do grab him you will have to monitor his situation closely.