Braves’ second-round pick already needs Tommy John surgery

Atlanta Braves second-round draft pick Spencer Schwellenbach reportedly needs to undergo Tommy John surgery.

In this year’s MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves used their second-round selection on Nebraska pitcher and shortstop Spencer Schwellenbach. Less than a month after the pick was made, it has been discovered that he will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, Schwellenbach will need to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Braves’ second-round pick needs Tommy John surgery

A source told McDaniel that Schwellenbach was actually targeted by the Braves as a first-round prospect. Plans changed after they learned he needed the elbow surgery, but still took him with the 59th overall pick. Atlanta selected Wake Forest pitcher Ryan Cusick in the first round.

McDaniel also notes that Schwellenbach did not pitch in the 2019 or 2020 seasons at Nebraska after undergoing a brace procedure. While he did not take the mound through those two seasons, he did play shortstop and first base throughout his three years playing for the Cornhuskers.

Through his three campaigns as a hitter, Schwellenbach slashed .282/.405/.423 while recording 12 home runs, 67 RBI, 82 runs scored, 114 hits and 16 stolen bases. In this past campaign as a pitcher, Schwellenbach posted a 0.57 ERA, a 0.947 WHIP, 34 strikeouts and eight walks in 31.2 innings of work.

Given those numbers, you can see why the Braves liked Schwellenbach in this year’s draft. Even though he does require a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to Tommy John surgery, they felt that the second-round selection and the wait was worth the second-round pick.