A.J. Minter Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

IP	8.1
ERA	2.16
WHIP	.36
BB/9	0
SO/9	11.88

Full name Alex Jordan Minter
Born 09/02/1993 in Tyler, TX
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Texas A&M
Debut 08/23/2017
Drafted in the CB-B round (75th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 (signed for $814,300).

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Minter missed time as a freshman because of thoracic outlet syndrome and didn't throw many innings as a sophomore as Texas A&M's closer, so evaluators were excited to see what he could do as a starter this year. He impressed in his first four starts showing feel for three pitches while sitting 92-94 mph and touching 98 with a lively plus fastball with excellent run. But early in the season he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. Minter earned a medical redshirt, so he has leverage and doesn't have to take a well-below market deal. His stuff could have made him an early pick if he had stayed healthy and continued to dominate, but with his very brief track record (58 college innings) and an energetic delivery, he's a risky bet for a team willing to draft him as a potential starter.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

If the Braves can keep Minter healthy, he will be a valuable piece of their bullpen. But much like Arodys Vizcaino, staying healthy has long been a problem for Minter. Minter missed most of his freshman year at Texas A&M with thoracic outlet syndrome. He missed most of his junior season because of Tommy John surgery. He got off to a late start in 2017 because of elbow soreness, but once he returned, he rocketed to the big leagues, where he quickly proved to be one of the Braves' most effective relievers. Minter eats up lefties with a plus 94-98 mph fastball, an average cutter and a hard 88-91 mph plus slider. Minter's combo annihilates lefties (big leaguers hit .190/.227/.190 against him), but his slider isn't as effective against righthanders. Still, his cutter and velocity give him a chance to be more than a lefty matchup reliever. Minter is big league ready and has late-inning stuff. He just has to stay off the disabled list.
A three-sport star in high school, Minter was drafted in the 38th round by the Tigers in 2012 before attending Texas A&M. He relieved for much of his college career, which included a stint with USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team, then moved to the rotation in 2015 and went 3-0, 0.47 in four starts before succumbing to Tommy John surgery. The Braves selected the rehabbing Minter with the 75th overall pick in 2015 and were rewarded in 2016 when he pitched at three levels during his first taste of pro ball. He recorded a combined 1.30 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Minter is a power pitcher who throws from a high three-quarters arm slot and features a fastball-slider combination with improving command. His plus fastball sits 94-96 mph and touches 98 with impressive armside sink and run. His mid-80s slider has horizontal movement and little depth but he keeps it down in the strike zone. He also throws an above-average cutter in the low 90s, giving him three power pitches that miss bats. Minter challenges hitters and has the overall package to be a dominant reliever in the majors if he stays healthy. He probably will open 2017 at Double-A Mississippi.

Draft Prospects

Minter missed time as a freshman because of thoracic outlet syndrome and didn't throw many innings as a sophomore as Texas A&M's closer, so evaluators were excited to see what he could do as a starter this year. He impressed in his first four starts showing feel for three pitches while sitting 92-94 mph and touching 98 with a lively plus fastball with excellent run. But early in the season he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. Minter earned a medical redshirt, so he has leverage and doesn't have to take a well-below market deal. His stuff could have made him an early pick if he had stayed healthy and continued to dominate, but with his very brief track record (58 college innings) and an energetic delivery, he's a risky bet for a team willing to draft him as a potential starter.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Slider in the Atlanta Braves in 2018

Career Transactions

Atlanta Braves activated LHP A.J. Minter from the 15-day injured list.
Atlanta Braves sent LHP A.J. Minter on a rehab assignment to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves sent LHP A.J. Minter on a rehab assignment to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves sent LHP A.J. Minter on a rehab assignment to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves sent LHP A.J. Minter on a rehab assignment to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves placed LHP A.J. Minter on the 15-day injured list retroactive to July 12, 2023. Left shoulder inflammation.