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

By Brad Berreman

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)
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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Mandatory Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

1. RHP Touki Toussaint

Touki Toussaint was promoted from Triple-A on April 13, and was excellent in his season debut out of the bullpen after Sean Newcomb failed to last two innings against the New York Mets (six innings, one run on four hits; seven strikeouts and two walks). Newcomb was sent down to Triple-A after that rough outing, and Toussaint was immediately put into the rotation.

Toussaint made his first start of the season on April 20 against the Cleveland Indians, and it was not good (seven runs on six hits over just 1.1 innings; 60 pitches-31 strikes). If and/or when Foltynewicz returns to the Braves rotation later this week, Toussaint may be moved right back to the bullpen.

Toussaint made his major league debut last year, with a 4.03 ERA over seven regular season outings (five starts, 29 innings). Control was a problem over that small sample, with 21 walks issued, but Toussaint was on Atlanta’s playoff roster and made two relief appearances (four walks and two strikeouts over three innings) in the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Next. 5 prospects who can help the Cleveland Indians in 2019. dark

Toussaint is still only 22 years old (23 on June 20), and he has a clear opportunity in front of him right now. He will never invite comparisons to pitchers who have phenomenal control (4.4 BB/9 in the minors), but his raw stuff is top-notch and his full season K/9 and BB/9 rates are trending the right direction (up and down, respectively). If he can’t yet stick in Atlanta’s starting rotation, and that’s a fair question based on a dismal first start this year, there’s surely a place for Toussaint to stick around and help a struggling bullpen.

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