Atlanta Braves: The Next 4 Pitching Prospects

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The Atlanta Braves seem to always be loaded with pitching talent.

Other than Tim Hudson, all of the current starters have spent some time in the Braves' minor league system.

Currently, the Braves have four untouchable pitching prospects that we know of. Every time the team has been in trade discussions with another team, the Braves have balked at pulling the trigger when it involved Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Randall Delgado and Arodys Vizcaino.

We all know how much the Braves love these guys, but what about the others behind them? What do the Braves have to look forward to after the top pitching prospects?

Here's a look at the next four pitching prospects behind the top four, and what fans can reasonably expect from them now and in the future.

Sean Gilmartin

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Honestly, I believe Sean Gilmartin should be on the tail end of the first four—he's that good.

The left-hander is everything you hope for in a young pitcher—he throws hard and throws for strikes.

He's expected to move quickly through the system, having shown success during his short time in the minors last year after being drafted in June.

He only started six games in total, but Braves' brass had to be impressed with his stuff after he went 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA and 30 strikeouts at Class-A Rome.

This year, he'll likely start the season at High-A Lynchburg and could work quickly through the system for a possible debut next year.

Prediction:

Gilmartin will only get better, as he'll win 14 games in the minors this year, setting himself up to compete for a spot in Atlanta's rotation in 2013. The biggest question mark is, will there be room for him?

Zeke Spruill

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Zeke Spruill finally showed significant progress last year, making it to Double-A Mississippi, where he went 3-2 with a 3.20 ERA and 16 strikeouts.

Often compared to Derek Lowe, Spruill has a good sinking fastball and a changeup that should be even better this year.

Just like Gilmartin, Spruill faces a mountain to climb to get to the majors. He'll do well in the minors, but he'll be blocked for the foreseeable future from making it to the big leagues.

Prediction:

Spruill will win 12 games in total this year between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, but will find himself traded at the deadline when the Braves seek help for their bench.

J. R. Graham

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J.R. Graham was drafted in the fourth round last year out of Santa Clara.

His path to the majors is going to be a little bit longer, as he still has some developing to do.

Undersized at 6'0" and 185 lbs., Graham has an unorthodox approach to pitching but has shown success because of it.

His mid-90s fastball will strike out a lot of hitters as long as he learns to locate the ball.

Prediction:

Graham will spend the whole season in Class-A Rome, where he will learn what it's like to pitch a full season. He didn't get an opportunity to do this last year, as he played in Danville after he was drafted. Give him time and he should move up the ranks.

J. J. Hoover

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J.J. Hoover is in the same position as Arodys Vizcaino—both can start games but will likely stay in the bullpen in Atlanta.

Hoover went 3-6 with a 2.64 ERA and 117 strikeouts last year between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. Take out his starts, and he had a 0.79 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 24 innings of relief between the two levels.

His fastball and slider will give him the opportunity to make Atlanta's roster in Spring Training. The biggest question mark is, will there be room for him?

Prediction:

Hoover wins a spot in the bullpen in Spring Training, but will be allowed to ease into the big leagues as manager Fredi Gonzalez will use him in blowout or extra-inning games through the first month or two of the season. After that, he's fair game.