Mike Minor

2013

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2012

Minor entered last spring as the favorite for the fifth starter job given his pedigree (seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft), but lost out to Brandon Beachy and bounced between Triple-A and the Braves the rest of the season. Minor was dominant in Triple-A again with a 3.22 ERA and 99:27 K:BB ratio in 100.2 innings. His results were not as spectacular in the majors, but he still posted a 4.14 ERA and strong 77:30 K:BB ratio in 82.2 innings at age 23. He also had a strong September once he settled into the rotation with several starters out due to injury as he posted a 3.67 ERA with a 25:11 K:BB ratio in 27 innings. He also reduced his home runs allowed, which had been a worry in his brief time in the majors in 2010. He should enter the season as Atlanta's No. 4 or No. 5 starter and may establish himself as a fixture in the rotation for many years.

2011

Minor, the seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft, began the season at Double-A and ended the season in Atlanta's rotation. After dominating at Double-A (11.3 K/9IP with strong control), he had a 1.89 ERA with a 37:12 K:BB ratio in 33.1 innings at Triple-A and was called up to Atlanta in early August. He began his career with three quality starts and had a 5.84 ERA and 47:9 K:BB ratio in 37 innings in his first seven starts. He then lasted less than two innings in his next two outings and the Braves pulled him from the rotation over worries about fatigue. While his overall 5.98 ERA may not look like he held his own in the majors, his 43:11 K:BB ratio in 40.2 innings shows he can be a frontline starter. He'll need to keep the ball in the park (six home runs), but he gave up just nine home runs in 129.1 innings in the minors the past two years. He'll likely begin 2011 as Atlanta's No. 5 starter and has the makings of a future star. The only worry for 2011 is the Braves may once again limit his innings after a big leap in workload last season.

2010

Minor, the seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft, had a 0.64 ERA with a 17:0 K:BB ratio in 14 innings in four starts at Low-A Rome. He's made a strong impression so far and will likely begin in High-A next season and could move up quickly. The Braves felt that he was polished enough to send him to the Arizona Fall League, where the hitter-friendly environment seemed to get the best of him. Despite the rough showing there, the Braves are very high on his long-term potential and Minor has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia's Cole Hamels.