The top pitching prospect in baseball, and certainly the top prospect for the Braves, will be making his major league debut on Saturday against the Phillies. Yes, we will get our first look at Julio Teheran in an Atlanta uniform.
My full analysis of Teheran can be found here. The 20-year-old Colombian has a 1.80 ERA and 2.53 FIP in 30 Triple-A innings this season. The right-hander has just eight walks to 25 strikeouts, and while the strikeout rate is down some, the fact that he is just 20 years old at Triple-A could have something to do with that. He is certainly holding his own in an advanced league for his age, evident by only six earned runs and nine runs total allowed.
Teheran has allowed just one run in each of three starts and no more than three runs in any start. He has 14 strikeouts over his last 14 innings with just two walks.
Teheran's fastball ranges 92-95 with a plus changeup and solid curve. His mechanics are a bit quirky, leading him to have an inconsistent breaking pitch at times, but it also causes deception, which helps make the changeup such a lethal offering. Teheran's stuff and potential makes a scout or coach salivate. I will be sure to have napkins handy on Saturday.
The news of Teheran's arrival caused a quick trending topic on Twitter. This will rival Jason Heyward's debut as perhaps the biggest prospect debut in Braves history. The buzz will be every bit as high as Opening Day in 2010. This is something you don't want to miss.