Beyond the Atlanta Braves Big 4

Julio Teheran is the stud headliner of Atlanta Braves GM Frank Wren's untradeable Big 4.

Randall Delgado is the John Smoltz to Teheran's Greg Maddux-like staff-ace status.

Arodys Vizcaino proved himself MLB ready down the stretch last season in the Braves bullpen and has the talent scouts covet, yet the injury history that causes a "kids-glove" approach.

Mike Minor is the lone lefty, and although he lacks the upside of the other three, he should provide that rock-steady performance every rotation needs. 

The Big 4 is well known, but the farm system won't lack quality arms after the foursome's impending graduation to Turner Field, which begs the question:

What's beyond the Big 4?

Sean Gilmartin

First in line is 2011 draftee Sean Gilmartin, another much-needed LHP for the Braves organization.

Gilmartin has middle-of-the-rotation potential and is expected to progress quickly through the minors.

His first taste of professional ball last season, in Low-A, didn't provide much of a challenge, as he posted a 2.53 ERA and a 30:2 K-to-BB ratio in 21 innings.

Although these stats are impressive, fans shouldn't expect that type of K/9 to follow him to the higher levels. But with his best offering being a plus change-up, groundballs should be common moving forward. 

Gilmartin participated in the Arizona Fall League and should start the 2012 season with the Atlanta AA affiliate, Mississippi.

J.J. Hoover

Also not long from the Braves staff is reliever J.J. Hoover.

Bullpen arms can sometimes be overlooked; in the modern-day MLB, the six-inning starter is often catered to, which puts a premium on shortening games.

Once a starter, Hoover was switched to the bullpen midway through last season. This new role seemed to fit the 6'3" 220-pounder.

Between AA Mississippi and AAA Gwinnett, he compiled 46 K in 33 IP while allowing only 3 ER. Those are the type of numbers that could give him an outside chance to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training.

Hoover is mainly a two-pitch guy, with a low-90s fastball and sharp slider. His change-up was showing progress as a starter, so that could be a nice third-pitch option soon.

Look for Hoover to see some MLB time this year, but Gwinnett is his most likely destination to start 2012.

Zeke Spruill

The Braves scout their own backyard as well as any organization in baseball. Zeke Spruill fit that mold as a 2008 second-round pick from Kell High School in Marietta, Ga.

Until last season, Spruill's minor league career was inconsistent, to say the least, including his missing half the 2010 season with a broken hand after punching the dugout wall.

He entered 2011 with a more mature, determined approach to his career, and results soon followed. Even after a late-season promotion to the AA Southern League, Spruill led the Carolina League in WHIP (1.01), CG (5) and was fifth in ERA (3.19).

Spruill produces groundballs with sinking action in both his low 90s fastball and change-up.

A potential ceiling as a No. 3 starter is possible if his slider becomes more consistent and the durability he showed last season with 27 starts and 174 innings continues.

Expect Spruill to begin 2012 in AA Mississippi's rotation with Gilmartin.

J.R. Graham

It’s hard to ignore JR Graham’s 96+ mph fastball, especially when it touches 100 at times and comes from a 6’0", 185-pound frame.

A college arm from Santa Clara, Graham was Atlanta’s fourth-round pick in this year’s MLB Draft.

Improvement on his two secondary pitches will be the key to any chance he will have to remain a starter. He led the Appy League with a 1.72 ERA, finished second with a 1.13 WHIP and started eight of his 13 appearances for rookie-level Danville.

Look for Graham to return to Danville to start next season, with a possible early promotion to Low-A Rome.

By no means does this next group of arms have the frontline stuff the "Big 4" has, but they are a solid group that will provide quality depth.

A couple honorable mentions to keep an eye on are Carlos Perez and Dismasther Delgado.