Atlanta Braves' Prospect Profile: Todd Redmond

Todd Redmond is a 24-year-old right-handed starting pitcher currently stationed at AAA-Gwinnett who was acquired by the Atlanta Braves prior to the 2008 season for under-performing reliever Tyler Yates.

Last year, Redmond earned Southern League Pitcher of the Year honors with AA Mississippi after posting a 3.52 ERA in 166.1 innings with a fine 133:33 K:BB ratio on his way to a 13-5 season.

The 6'3" righty has seen a decline in his stats, however, in 2009.

In 22 starts this season, Redmond has accumulated 117 innings while posting a 4.31 ERA, a 91:36 K:BB, and a 7-6 record, which is more like his 2007 line in Pittsburgh's farm system (28 games, 4.39 ERA, 107:35 K:BB, 8-13 record between A+ and AA).

He's never been known as a power arm (his heater tops out around 90 with an OK curve and changeup), but his control has been phenomenal; walking only 35, 33, and 36 in his last three seasons.

Paul Byrd and Jeff Bennett are good comparisons for Redmond as a major league starter or reliever.

His career Minor League ERA (3.53) compares favorably to the previously mentioned Byrd and Bennett, while his Ks and BBs are each lower over the course of his five professional seasons.

He's no Tommy Hanson (WHO IS???), but he could serve as a solid middle reliever or back-of-the-rotation starter based solely on his innate ability to throw strikes.

Redmond looks set to compete for a bullpen spot in 2010 and could very well win one if the Braves lose confidence in Jorge Campillo coming back or Buddy Carlyle's grip on his diabetes or if a 'pen spot is vacated by one of Mike Gonzalez or Rafael Soriano leaving.

I like Redmond competing for a rotation spot in 2011, although his long-term outlook in the majors is as a strike-throwing reliever/spot starter.

His key to success will be keeping runners off base by using his control so the hits (and homers, 35, 33, and 36 in his last three seasons) won't hurt him.

Next in the Prospect Profile series: Craig Kimbrel.