Braves Draft Report

Prep pitchers still prevail

By Bill Ballew
June 6, 2006

ATLANTA--The Braves entered the 2006 draft with as much depth throughout the organization--particularly on the mound--as they have enjoyed in recent memory, so scouting director Roy Clark went with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach on the first day of the draft. The Braves stuck with their tried-and-true philosophy of drafting high school pitchers with three of their first four picks.

Clark & Co. began the process by taking Florida high school outfielder/first baseman Cody Johnson in the first round with the 24th overall selection. The Braves then went with prep hurlers with their next three picks, nabbing righthander Cory Rasmus and lefties Steven Evarts and Jeff Locke.

The Braves' selection of Johnson is reminiscent of their taking Scott Thorman with the 30th overall pick in the 2000 draft. Johnson, much like Thorman during his high school days, is known for his bat, a reputation he garnered last summer. The product of Mosley High School in Panama City won the MVP award at a Perfect Game wood bat event in Marietta, Ga., last year before taking the Jackie Robinson Award at the Aflac All-America game in August. Johnson impressed scouts with his plus raw power.

Prior to the draft, there was concern about a hitch in Johnson's swing that led to a modest showing this spring. He is also only an average defender at best in both the outfield and at first base. At the same time, he will not turn 18 until August and possesses a strong work ethic that impressed the Braves.

Rasmus, the younger brother of St. Louis' 2005 first-round draft pick Colby Rasmus, went to Atlanta with the 38th overall selection. The righthander has been in the baseball spotlight throughout much of his amateur career, which includes serving as the starting catcher for the 1999 Phenix City (Ala.) club that reached the Little League World Series. He has touched 97 mph with his fastball and possesses an excellent 11-to-5 slider that sits in the 80-83 mph range. While his thick frame does not project well, Rasmus' proven track record and impressive arm strength led to his being a supplemental first-rounder.

The Braves used the 43rd overall pick to take Evarts, a southpaw out of Robinson High in Tampa, and the team's first second-round pick on Locke, another lefthander out of Kennett High in Conway, N.H.

Evarts ranked higher than Johnson on many draft boards after his fastball increased in velocity this spring, going from the mid-80s to 88-92. He possesses an outstanding changeup with both fade and depth, but needs considerable work on developing a third pitch. The Braves like Evarts' athleticism, and believe their player development staff can fine-tune the raw tools the lefty brings to the organization.

Locke is another lefty that projects extremely well. Locke has a big frame and a loose arm that produces fastballs that reach 93 mph. He showed a better feel for his curveball this past spring and his changeup continues to display promise. By growing up in a cold-weather state, Locke's arm has low mileage, but there are some concerns regarding the level of competition he has faced.

WIGWAM WISPS

• The Braves, who had seven of the draft's first 100 picks, went with a local product with their fifth overall selection. Dustin Evans, a righthander from Georgia Southern, had a disappointing junior season that was hampered by a stress fracture in his right elbow. Evans earned raves last summer in the Cape Cod League by posting a 2.27 ERA in seven starts. His fastball reaches 95, but is flat more often than not. His low-80s slider has the potential to be a plus pitch, while his changeup is a below-average offering at this point.