<img alt="COLLEGE BASEBALL: APR 29 Maryland at Indiana" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kY2xMwuvIStFcvWzeEwozJM4L4E=/0x25:2400x1625/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73462816/1252350727.10.jpg">
Director of Amateur Scouting Ronit Shah discussed the Braves’ draft haul on Day 2. lThe Atlanta Braves stuck with their same strategy and loaded up on more pitching in Day 2 of the 2024 MLB Draft Monday. Through 10 rounds of the draft, the Braves have selected nine pitchers and a catcher in fifth round pick Nick Martinez. It shouldn’t be surprising at this point. Atlanta has been pitcher heavy for several drafts now.
Director of Amateur Scouting Ronit Shah said Monday though that they didn’t go into the draft with a set strategy to take a lot of pitchers, but that was just how things unfolded.
“I think it’s just how it unfolded,” Shah said. “I mean, obviously a lot of pitchers, but I think at the end of the day, sticking with the process and looking at players that we think might have some untapped potential, some untapped upside. Hopefully get the right guys into the system and let player development work their magic.”
The Braves nabbed big 6’8 right-hander Luke Sinnard out of Indiana in the third round. He missed the college season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He is far enough along in his recovery that he threw a bullpen at the Draft Combine.
“I think Luke was really strong last year at Indiana when he was healthy,” Shah said. “I believe he got hurt in the last game of the year in the regional. Just getting to watch him throw a bullpen or two, including at the combine, and then just seeing, hey, this guy’s back now. He’s healthy. When he’s going right, we’ve seen him fill up the zone. Four-pitch mix, splitter, curveball, cut slider, and then the fastball from his slot. I think, he has a really unique combination of stuff, strikes, size, athleticism.”
The Braves’ only non-pitcher so far in this draft is catcher Nick Montgomery out of Cypress Hill high school. Montgomery is big at 6’4 and 210 pounds, but the Braves think he is athletic enough to stick behind the plate. Still, it is his potential with the bat that drew Atlanta to him.
“I think Nick Montgomery’s a really exciting high school bat. He’s another big kid. Big, strong, athletic, chance to stick behind the plate,” Shah said. “I think what really sticks out with him is just his bat, his power, and his plate discipline. We’ve seen him a ton going from the summer and into the spring. He’s hit home runs at some of the major events where there’s hundreds of scouts there. I think what sticks out with him is just the power and the ease that he gets to it.”
Shah wasn’t going to give anything away when it comes to strategy but did say that Day 3 usually is college heavy. Atlanta didn’t come into the draft with the biggest bonus pool and Cam Caminiti will likely command a large number.
“I think just lining up some players,” Shah said of the strategy for Day 3. “I think usually day three is college heavy, just how the draft’s set up for all the teams. So I think that’s probably where we’re looking.”
“We’re very excited. I think just from rounds one to 10, we’re really excited about the guys that we’ve been able to go grab. Really excited to see what they’re gonna do now.”
The Braves will make 10 more picks Tuesday to wrap up the draft which will get underway at 2 p.m. ET.
<img alt="COLLEGE BASEBALL: APR 29 Maryland at Indiana" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kY2xMwuvIStFcvWzeEwozJM4L4E=/0x25:2400x1625/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73462816/1252350727.10.jpg">
Director of Amateur Scouting Ronit Shah discussed the Braves’ draft haul on Day 2. lThe Atlanta Braves stuck with their same strategy and loaded up on more pitching in Day 2 of the 2024 MLB Draft Monday. Through 10 rounds of the draft, the Braves have selected nine pitchers and a catcher in fifth round pick Nick Martinez. It shouldn’t be surprising at this point. Atlanta has been pitcher heavy for several drafts now.
Director of Amateur Scouting Ronit Shah said Monday though that they didn’t go into the draft with a set strategy to take a lot of pitchers, but that was just how things unfolded.
“I think it’s just how it unfolded,” Shah said. “I mean, obviously a lot of pitchers, but I think at the end of the day, sticking with the process and looking at players that we think might have some untapped potential, some untapped upside. Hopefully get the right guys into the system and let player development work their magic.”
The Braves nabbed big 6’8 right-hander Luke Sinnard out of Indiana in the third round. He missed the college season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He is far enough along in his recovery that he threw a bullpen at the Draft Combine.
“I think Luke was really strong last year at Indiana when he was healthy,” Shah said. “I believe he got hurt in the last game of the year in the regional. Just getting to watch him throw a bullpen or two, including at the combine, and then just seeing, hey, this guy’s back now. He’s healthy. When he’s going right, we’ve seen him fill up the zone. Four-pitch mix, splitter, curveball, cut slider, and then the fastball from his slot. I think, he has a really unique combination of stuff, strikes, size, athleticism.”
The Braves’ only non-pitcher so far in this draft is catcher Nick Montgomery out of Cypress Hill high school. Montgomery is big at 6’4 and 210 pounds, but the Braves think he is athletic enough to stick behind the plate. Still, it is his potential with the bat that drew Atlanta to him.
“I think Nick Montgomery’s a really exciting high school bat. He’s another big kid. Big, strong, athletic, chance to stick behind the plate,” Shah said. “I think what really sticks out with him is just his bat, his power, and his plate discipline. We’ve seen him a ton going from the summer and into the spring. He’s hit home runs at some of the major events where there’s hundreds of scouts there. I think what sticks out with him is just the power and the ease that he gets to it.”
Shah wasn’t going to give anything away when it comes to strategy but did say that Day 3 usually is college heavy. Atlanta didn’t come into the draft with the biggest bonus pool and Cam Caminiti will likely command a large number.
“I think just lining up some players,” Shah said of the strategy for Day 3. “I think usually day three is college heavy, just how the draft’s set up for all the teams. So I think that’s probably where we’re looking.”
“We’re very excited. I think just from rounds one to 10, we’re really excited about the guys that we’ve been able to go grab. Really excited to see what they’re gonna do now.”
The Braves will make 10 more picks Tuesday to wrap up the draft which will get underway at 2 p.m. ET.
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