Brad Voyles

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #16 prospect in 2003
  A year after shooting from high Class A to the majors, Voyles spent 2002 on the Omaha-to- Kansas City shuttle, spending three stints with each club. Unlike most relievers, he has three pitches he can work with. His fastball, which can reach 95 mph, is more effective at 90- 91 with good sinking action. He also has a plus changeup and an effective curveball. Voyles displays plenty of bravado on the mound, but sometimes his determination turns to stubbornness. He thought he could throw his heater by major league hitters--and found out the hard way he can't. Voyles gets in trouble when he falls behind in counts and elevates his fastball. He's much more effective when he works backward and starts hitters with his changeup. Voyles needs to improve the command of his fastball, but he'll battle for a spot in the Royals' all-prospect bullpen with Jeremy Hill, Mike MacDougal and Ryan Bukvich in 2003.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #10 prospect in 2002
  When the Braves went looking for shortstop defense at the 2001 trading deadline, the Royals sent Rey Sanchez to Atlanta for Voyles and infield prospect Alejandro Machado. After falling and breaking his ankle in February, Voyles had been sidelined until June. He recovered to soar from high Class A to the majors, allowing just seven runs in 35 overall appearances. Voyles' two best pitches are his hard curveball and his changeup. His fastball is solid at 88-93 mph, and his career began to take off in 2000 when he started using it more often. He does a good job of keeping the ball in the ballpark and has the tough mindset required to close games. Voyles will overthrow and lose the strike zone, a flaw minor league hitters let him get away with. Those in the majors and Arizona Fall League (where he had a 6.19 ERA) did not. If he can command his fastball during spring training, he stands a good chance of making the Royals. When fading Roberto Hernandez relinquishes the closer role, Voyles might be first in line.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #27 prospect in 2001
  Voyles isn't the prettiest pitcher in the game, but he gets the job done. He combined with Billy Sylvester during the first half of last season to give Myrtle Beach the minors' best relief tandem. Voyles then carried the Pelicans to the Carolina League title by handling most of the closing duties after Sylvester was lost for the season in July. He turned the corner last year by working off his fastball instead of his curveball at the behest of Myrtle Beach pitching coach Bruce Dal Canton. Once Voyles started employing his fastball more often, its velocity and movement increased, making it at least an average pitch. An upgraded fastball also made his hard curveball more effective. Voyles threw his changeup for strikes last season, giving him three solid pitches. While he was consistent in 2000, he needs to maintain that success rate against better competition. He also needs to continue working on his changeup so that he can throw it at any point in the count. While Voyles is slated to pitch at Double-A this season, the Braves believe Triple-A and even the major leagues aren't out of the question.