Luiz Gohara

Things started out poorly for Gohara last season and didn't get much better. A sprained ankle and sore groin cost him the entire Grapefruit League, forcing him to open the year on the DL. Upon activation in late April, he was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett before being called up May 8. After impressing out of the bullpen, Gohara entered the rotation, but soon had to leave to be with his ailing mother. When he got back, Gohara was hit hard as a reliever and sent back to the Stripers. After a brief recall, he was farmed to Gwinnett on July 12 with the hopes of entering the Braves' rotation after the break. He spent the bulk of the second half dealing with a sore shoulder and was shut down in early September. Losing a year of development likely dropped Gohara down Atlanta's loaded pitching prospect ranks, but as a lefty throwing 96 mph, a high-leverage relief role is always a fallback. He's a long shot to break camp in the rotation, making him speculative reserve fodder.

Here’s the list of left-handed MLB starters whose average fastball velocity was over 94 mph last year (minimum 50 fastballs thrown): Gohara, James Paxton, Chris Sale, David Price, Blake Snell and Robbie Ray. Gohara tops this impressive list with a 96.5 mph average fastball. His ERA and WHIP were not as impressive, as opposing managers wisely loaded their lineups with righties, who hit .313/.360/.532 against him. However, for a pitcher who started the year at High-A and reached the majors just after his 21st birthday, the results are secondary to the fact that he was able to rocket through the Braves’ system with such ease. He utilizes a potentially plus slider and hard 89-mph changeup, but everything plays off his elite fastball. Lefties don’t have a chance, and with better command and sequencing, he should be able to hold his own against righties. His 31:8 K:BB in 29.1 MLB innings (five starts) suggests breakout potential going forward, while his run prevention issues over a small sample and general lack of hype should suppress his draft day price tag.

Gohara is listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, which seems sort of like the inverse of Andre the Giant being billed at 7-foot-4, 520 pounds. That is to say, Gohara looks suspiciously larger than his listed size. There's certainly talent here, though, as evidenced by his tremendous success at the lower levels as a 19-year-old in 2016. He followed that up with a very respectable showing against more advanced hitters in the Arizona Fall League, posting a 19:3 K:BB in 11.2 innings. The lefty's fastball sits comfortably in the low-to-mid 90s and his slider is a weapon against same-handed hitters, but Gohara's size has been an impediment to consistent repetition of his throwing motion. There's mid-rotation upside here, but there's also enough uncertainty with Gohara to where he can probably be left alone outside of deep keeper leagues (with 150-plus prospects rostered) even after the move to the Braves organization.

Gohara primarily pitched for the short season Everett AquaSox in the Northwest League in 2015. Although he led the AquaSox in innings pitched, he struggled mightily all year, finishing with the second-highest ERA on the team. Gohara frequently pitched with runners on base with a poor .305 batting average against. Gohara is a power lefty with mid-90s velocity on his fastball that is backed by an average breaking ball and changeup. He is a top-10 prospect in the Mariners farm system and is currently projected to reach the majors in 2019. The Mariners will continue to be patient with Gohara as he struggles due to the vaulted ceiling of potential. It is likely that he spends most of the 2016 season back in the Midwest League.

Gohara was promoted to short-season Everett last year a month before he turned 18, an impressive feat for the left-handed Brazilian who's been in the system since he was 16 years old. While Gohara struck out 37 in 37.1 innings, he walked an astounding 24, leading to an 8.20 ERA in 11 starts. He'll probably repeat Everett this season with an eye on Low-A Clinton after he turns 19 in July. The 6-foot-3 Gohara already possesses an above-average fastball and could potentially develop above-average secondary offerings. A groundball pitcher, Gohara has frontline potential.

Gohara debuted last season in the advanced-rookie Appalachian League at a mere 16 years old. A shoulder injury limited him to six starts, but he showed his potential with 27 strikeouts in 21.2 innings. The 6-foot-3 and 210-pound Brazilian left-hander is an extreme groundball pitcher with a low-90s fastball, and scouts have praised the potential of his breaking ball. He will likely begin the year in Low-A this season, but the Mariners will take their time with him as he has a high ceiling.