Atlanta Braves: Top 10 Players To Call Up For September

Mar 12, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tyrell Jenkins (63) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Talk about a meteoric rise. In less than a year, Tyrell Jenkins has gone from a High-A starter recovering from an injury to anchoring the Gwinnett Braves rotation and on the cusp of a Major League call-up. Jenkins does not blow you away with his raw numbers, but his makeup and consistent improvement as a young starting pitcher cannot be ignored.

Over 24 starts this season in Mississippi and Gwinnett, Jenkins has fashioned a 3.23 ERA in just under six innings per start. Concern begins on two fronts with Jenkins: one, he walks a lot of guys (4.0 BB/9) and two, does not strike out many (just 5.8 K/9). His statistical profiles actually reminds me a lot of Jair Jurrjens but Jenkins has considerably more upside considering his age and physical makeup (Jenkins is 6’4″ vs. Jurrjens at 6’0″).

Jenkins has answered each challenge since returning from his shoulder injury. It is not easy to adjust as a 22-year-old pitcher who dealt with injuries, pitched in the AFL, been traded, and been promoted to AAA all in about nine months. Jenkins ability to succeed at each level despite the walks and low strikeout totals says a lot about him as a player and person. Jenkins definitely seems to fit the mold of the type of player the Braves want to build with and he deserves a look or two this fall.

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