Hanson/Rohrbough/Locke -- is there a winner in the bunch?

by alexwithclass on Jan 22, 2008 7:51 PM EST

So, the Braves have these three guys in the low minors that look pretty good. But, of course, they haven't played above single-A, and TINSTAAPP and all that. Still, here are their 2007 lines:

Jeff Locke, age 19, Rookie ball: 61 IP, 8 BB, 74 K, 2 HR, 2.66 ERA.

Tommy Hanson, age 20, combined in A and high-A: 133 IP, 58 BB, 154 K, 16 HR, 3.32 ERA.

Cole Rohrbough, age 20, combined in rookie and A: 61 1/3 IP, 20 BB, 96 K, 2 HR, 1.17 ERA.

So, with all the necessary caveats in mind, do any of these guys have a chance of contributing to a major league rotation? It's been a really long time since the Braves have developed anyone remotely resembling an ace -- Wainwright, maybe, but he's not on our team anymore, or occasional flashes from Millwood. Is the next one just around the corner?

Poll

Will any of them be good?

Hanson

27 votes

Rohrbough

38 votes

Locke

16 votes

None of them

6 votes

87 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

How about Teheran

by Dfarth on Jan 22, 2008 8:50 PM EST reply actions

yeah the next King Felix

by Bravesin07 on Jan 22, 2008 9:32 PM EST up reply actions

Prospects

You never can tell with prospects but what I do know is that they should be at least mentioned with some of the other guys out there who are getting more pub and have yet to throw a single professional pitch including our own Teheran. Hanson/Locke/Rohrbough have all put up the numbers to back their claims but they still get the question marks because of the class their in. I just hope they go out and prove it again this year. The Braves have at least 10 guys A+ and below that have a very good chance of making it to the ML.

Eric Cordier - RHP - A+
Tommy Hanson - RHP - A+
Cole Rohrbough - LHP - A-
Jeff Locke - LHP - R
Steve Evarts - LHP - R
Chad Rodger - LHP - R
Jose Ortegano - LHP - R
Steve Kent - LHP - GCL
Cory Rasmus - RHP - GCL
Julio Teheran - RHP - N/A

by Jay212033 on Jan 22, 2008 10:11 PM EST reply actions

Locke

I coached against Jeff Locke in Legion ball up here in NH. He no-hit us and was one of the best I've seen in HS ball. Great fastball and a great competitor, but didn't need the offspeed stuff much so it wasn't that polished. He could hit, too. Jack McGeary was the only one better that I've seen - he had absolutely nasty secondary stuff.

Good Locke story: he was dominating our guys and so I looked to upset his rhythm by getting him to take off his Livestrong bracelet on his throwing arm. He responded by drilling the next kid in the back. I guess that's what I intended, as we finally got a baserunner, but I don't think my first baseman appreciated the 92mph fastball in his ribs. Anyway, Locke struck out the next three guys to end the inning and keep the no-hitter intact. I was impressed with the mean streak; I think the kid could go a long way.

by laughlin on Jan 23, 2008 12:03 AM EST reply actions

Coach

Who did you have pitching against him that night?

by Jay212033 on Jan 23, 2008 12:31 AM EST up reply actions

pitcher

I think Matt Vaughn pitched that one. Why, did you play Legion in NH?

by laughlin on Jan 23, 2008 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

No

I asked because you should have had whoever was pitching for your team turn around and bean him LOL.

by Jay212033 on Jan 23, 2008 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

Cool

I am also a NH native and watched Locke pitch a few games for the Kennett Eagles...I coached baseball down on the seacoast..

by NYSOX on Jan 23, 2008 1:40 PM EST up reply actions

Rohrbough

I love his stuff combined with his control. Reportedly, the Braves tinkered with his release point last year, so one might expect him to become even more consistent, if that's possible.

FWIW, the numbers he put up in JuCo last year were equally sick. Combine that season with his pro stats and you have an incredible year of pitching. The Braves thought he might be tired coming into the season, so they had him on a strict pitch count. He held up pretty well through the season, though.

by parish on Jan 23, 2008 10:08 AM EST reply actions

But

Most people on this board only care about "UPSIDE" and they say that Rohrbough doesn't have much of an "UPSIDE". They don't care what his numbers were last year. He doesn't have the 95+ MPH FB or a good third offering yet is what most people say from the info I gathered on this board. Jordan Walden to the people on this board, is far better than Rohrbough even though his numbers don't reflect what they say.

by Jay212033 on Jan 23, 2008 10:57 AM EST reply actions

They aren't

prospects from New York Boston or Tampa so they can't be that good.

by JFP on Jan 23, 2008 12:28 PM EST reply actions

You forgot

The Dodgers LOL!

by Jay212033 on Jan 23, 2008 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

braves might regret throwing in richmond

in that kotsay deal. A's compared him to a slowey/inman type. great control/groundball rates, lots of pitchability for his level.

by rayver723 on Jan 23, 2008 2:28 PM EST reply actions

I agree

Incidently, Richmond was also the most advanced of their pitching prospects. He won't be a guy who will dominate teams, but he could certainly be a useful guy in the rotation or even a Grybo out of the 'pen. I actually think the significant rotation depth in the minors is one of the reasons Wren was willing to deal Richmond.

by mraver on Jan 23, 2008 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

IMHO

Devine, Aybar, Richmond and Fontaine together could have netted us much more than Kotsay and Ridgeway. Why not put that package together and try to get Willits or even a Randy Winn if the Giants were able to eat some of his contract. I just honestly think we could have come out better.

by Jay212033 on Jan 23, 2008 3:24 PM EST up reply actions