Rookies on the Playoff Teams: Atlanta Braves

Here's a look at rookies who played for the Atlanta Braves in 2013. Players are listed in their approximate order of playing time.

Atlanta Braves (96-66, First Place NL East)

HITTERS

Evan Gattis, C-OF-1B: 27-year-old rookie hit .243/.291/.480 with 21 homers and 21 doubles in just 354 at-bats for the Braves. A 23^rd-round pick in 2010 from the University of Texas-Permian Basin, Gattis overcame injuries and personal problems as an amateur, then thrived in pro ball once drafted at age 23. He won’t hit for a high batting average but his power is very impressive and he’s a terrific human interest story.

Joey Terdoslavich, OF-1B: A switch-hitter, the 25 year old was drafted out of Long Beach State University in the sixth round in 2010. He destroyed the ball this year in Triple-A, hitting .318/.359/.567 with 18 homers for Gwinnett, but was less effective in the majors, hitting .215/.315/.266 in 79 at-bats, mostly as a pinch-hitter. He has enough power to be quite dangerous but has shown the need for adjustment time when reaching a new level.

Todd Cunningham, OF: Age 24, Cunningham is a speedy switch-hitter drafted in the second round in 2010 from Jacksonville State University. He hit .265/.342/.333 with 20 steals this year in Triple-A, then went 2-for-8 in eight major league games. He is currently not on the 25-man roster. His future is as a reserve outfielder.

Phil Gosselin, 2B: Age 24, Gosselin was drafted in the fifth round from the University of Virginia in 2010. He played briefly in the majors this August, going 2-for-6, but is not currently on the 25-man roster. He hit .254/.299/.318 in 117 games between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. If he makes it, it will be as a utility infielder.

PITCHERS

Julio Teheran, RHP: Signed out of Colombia in 2007, Teheran was one of the best rookie pitchers in baseball this year, going 14-8 with a 3.20 ERA and a 170/45 K/BB in 197 innings. At age 22, he overcame a disappointing ’12 season in Triple-A and lived up to the potential inherent in his low-to-mid-90s fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. Assuming continued good health, he should be a rotation mainstay for years to come.

Alex Wood, LHP: Drafted in the second round in 2012 from the University of Georgia, Wood shot to the major leagues sooner than anyone expected, arriving less than a year out of college, pitching 78 innings effectively as both a starter and reliever, posting a 3.13 ERA with a 77/27 K/BB. His low-90s fastball, wicked changeup, breaking ball, and deceptive delivery could make him a full-time starter next year.

David Hale, RHP: Drafted out of Princeton in the third round in 2009, Hale pitched decently in Triple-A this year (3.22 ERA, 77/36 K/BB in 115 innings) but was outstanding in two major league starts in September, giving up one run in 11 innings with a 14/1 K/BB. Just turned 26, his low-90s sinker, slider, and changeup could give him a role as a reliever or back-of-the-rotation starter next year.