MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help the Braves in 2019

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 23: Touki Toussaint #62 of the Atlanta Braves warms up prior to the Grapefruit League spring training game against the New York Mets at First Data Field on February 23, 2019 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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3. RHP Jacob Webb

Entering action on Easter weekend, the Braves had a 5.13 bullpen ERA (24nd in MLB). Closer Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder surgery) is out for the season, which has reignited speculation they’ll sign Craig Kimbrel.

Atlanta has gone to the prospect well in the bullpen. Chad Sobotka (the No. 21 prospect in their system entering this year, via MLB.com) had a 1.88 ERA and a 13.2 K/9 over 14 appearances for the Braves last year. But things aren’t going as well so far in 2019 for Sobotka, with a 11.00 ERA over nine outings and three straight appearances where he has allowed multiple runs before a fairly clean performance last Saturday (one hit, one walk, three strikeouts).

Jacob Webb made his major league debut April 16 with a strikeout and a hit allowed as he finished a 9-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hasn’t pitched enough to be part of Atlanta’s bullpen problems, with three appearances as of this writing, but the way things are going more opportunities seem likely to come his way.

Since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015, Webb has pitched out of the bullpen in the minors. He had 18 saves and an 11.4 K/9 between Double-A and Triple-A last year, and before being promoted he had a 2.25 ERA and one save in four appearances for Gwinnett this year.

There are questions about Webb being able to be a closer in the big leagues. But the Braves would surely settle for a reliable seventh- or eighth-inning guy right now.

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