Luis Atilano

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #20 prospect in 2010
  The 35th overall pick in the 2003 draft, Atilano never unlocked his potential with the Braves after signing for $950,000. Washington took a low-risk gamble in August 2006, trading Daryle Ward for him shortly after Atilano had Tommy John surgery. After missing nearly all of 2007, he has re-established himself as a prospect over the last two years. He got off to a rough start in 2009, posting an 0-3, 8.79 mark in April, and the Nationals noticed he was opening up too much in his delivery, decreasing his deception and sink. He took off after correcting the problem and finished the year with two strong starts in Triple-A and a 3-0, 2.21 showing in the World Cup, helping Puerto Rico finish in fourth place, equaling its best finish since 1976. Atilano attacks hitters with an 89-92 mph fastball with heavy sink and fools them with an above-average changeup. He has improved his conditioning over the last year and is a good athlete for his size. Washington believes Atilano is a breaking ball away from being a real good major league pitcher. He'll flash an average curveball at times, but at others the pitch is just a short spinner waiting to be crushed. The Nationals have a glut of back-of-the-rotation candidates, and he could force his way into that mix in spring training. He's more likely to start the year in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #27 prospect in 2009
  Atilano signed for $950,000 as the 35th overall pick in 2003 and gradually climbed through the Braves system before he was derailed by Tommy John surgery in August 2006. Atlanta dealt him to Washington for Daryle Ward that same month. He returned to make one appearance in 2007 before the Nationals shut him down with a strained forearm muscle, but he bounced back in 2008 to help Potomac to the Carolina League title and land on Washington's 40-man roster. Atilano's solid three-pitch mix is highlighted by an average-to-plus changeup with good arm speed, and a heavy 89-91 mph fastball that tops out at 92-93. His mid- to upper-70s curveball has some depth and projects as an average pitch, but he needs to improve his command of it. Atilano was rail-thin out of high school, but he let his body go during his downtime. He got into better shape in 2008 but still must improve his conditioning. Though Atilano has a live arm and a clean arm action, he doesn't throw as hard as he could because he doesn't use his legs well, and he doesn't repeat his delivery. With physical and mechanical fine-tuning, Atilano could add velocity and become a mid-rotation starter, but some see him strictly as a bullpen arm down the road.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #27 prospect in 2005
  Atlanta's top pick in 2003, Atilano signed for $950,000 as a supplemental first-rounder. The best thing he had going for him was his projectability, so it wasn't unexpected when he struggled initially after turning pro. He found more of a comfort zone last year at Rookie-level Danville. Atilano's fastball added velocity, moving from 88-91 to 92-93 mph. His changeup also showed flashes of becoming a solid-average pitch. He needs to work on the consistency of his curveball. Atilano has established himself as a strike-thrower, but his overall command and pitch quality need to show improvement before he's ready for the upper levels of the minors. He has a tendency to leave his pitches up in the zone, leaving him vulnerable to home runs. He'll move up to the full-season ranks in 2005, opening the season in low Class A.