Zeke Spruill

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #16 prospect in 2014
  A 2008 second-round pick, Spruill pitched for five seasons in the Braves organization, spending the last season and a half at the Double-A level. The Diamondbacks acquired Spruill, a Georgia native, along with Martin Prado and Randall Delgado in the deal that shipped Justin Upton and Chris Johnson to Atlanta. Spruill returned to the Southern League for five starts before moving up to Triple-A Reno, where his performance varied in 16 starts. He made his big league debut by making two starts and four relief appearances during callups in June and August. Big league opponents hit .354 against Spruill as he struggled to mix his pitches effectively. He's a groundball pitcher with a good sinker whose stuff should play well at Chase Field. He works his two-seam fastball in the 90-94 mph range and it has plus movement. His changeup is a solid-average pitch with sink complementing the fastball. Spruill's best breaking ball is his slider, which showed improvement in 2013 and projects to average. He'll contend for a roster spot in spring training but could spend another year on the Reno-to-Phoenix shuttle.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #9 prospect in 2013
  Spruill has overcome off-field issues and a broken right hand (from punching a dugout wall) early in his career to become a reliable, durable starter the last two seasons. He led the Southern League in starts (27) and innings (162) in 2012. He cemented a spot on the Atlanta's 40-man roster by performing well in the Arizona Fall League. Spruill uses his tall frame to pitch on a downhill plane, pounding the lower half of the strike zone while pitching to contact. His 91-94 mph fastball has good sink, and he uses it to get ahead in the count. His changeup also features nice sink and fades away from righthanders. He sells it well by throwing it with the same arm speed he uses with his fastball. His changeup helps him handle lefthanded hitters (.696 OPS in Double-A) almost as well as he handles righthanded hitters (.674). The key to Spruill's future is the consistency of his slider, which isn't particularly tight. He can get strikeouts with his slider when it's working, but it also flattens out and hangs up in the strike zone at times. He doesn't miss a lot of bats, but he also doesn't beat himself by giving up walks or home runs. Counting the AFL, Spruill has made 61 starts and worked 359 innings in the last two years. He profiles as an innings-eater who can fill the No. 4 or 5 spot in a contender's rotation. He'll get his first Triple-A opportunity in 2013.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #9 prospect in 2012
  After missing time because of off-field issues in 2009 and a broken right hand (the result of punching a dugout wall) in 2010, Spruill finally put together the full season the Braves hoped for in 2011. He led the minors with six complete games and ranked third with 175 innings, and he also topped the Carolina League with a 1.01 WHIP. Spruill found success by pounding the bottom of the strike zone with his sinking 91-94 mph fastball, pitching to contact and not worrying about strikeouts. He uses his fastball command to get ahead in the count, then mixes in his secondary pitches to keep hitters off balance. Spruill's solid changeup also has good sink and he throws it with the same arm action he employs with his fastball. His slider has been inconsistent but shows impressive tilt and movement when he's throwing it well. He gets in trouble when he leaves his pitches up in the zone. In danger of becoming a forgotten prospect before his breakout season, Spruill will return to Double-A to open 2012. If he continues on this path, he can become a workhorse No. 3 or 4 starter in the big leagues.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #8 prospect in 2010
  Spruill had to wonder what was so tough about pro ball after he went 7-0 in his pro debut and won his first six decisions in 2009. But he earned just three more wins the rest of the season, thanks mostly to poor run support. He also spent time on the disabled list and in Rookie ball with a non-physical issue the Braves have remained tight-lipped about. Spruill has an excellent feel for pitching and even at age 20, he's one of the more polished prospects in the system. He pounds the lower half of the strike zone with an 89-91 mph sinker that arrives on a steep downhill plane. He also does a good job of mixing his breaking ball and changeup. He's all business and tenacious on the mound. Spruill can't overpower opponents, so he'll have to mix and locate his pitches well to succeed. He has a mid-70s curveball with decent break and an upper-70s slider, and he probably needs to settle on one to have a reliable breaking ball. His changeup can be inconsistent. Spruill has the potential to move quickly and become a mid-rotation starter once he gains feel for all of his pitches. He'll spend 2010 in high Class A.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #15 prospect in 2009
  The Braves are fond of drafting Atlanta-area players with strong makeup, and Spruill fit that description on both fronts. The 70th overall pick in the 2008 draft, he signed for $600,000 after attracting the team's interest while pitching in the East Cobb youth program. Possessing a tall, rangy frame with classic projectability, Spruill is a quality athlete. He had immediate success in pro ball, leading the Gulf Coast League with seven wins in as many decisions while displaying an impressive overall feel for pitching. His fastball sat in the low 90s with good life and solid sinking action during high school, but his velocity fell to the mid-80s during instructional league. The drop was common with Spruill when he went deep into games as an amateur, and the Braves believe it will be less of an issue once he adds strength. His mid-70s curveball has decent late bite, and his high-70s slider has potential. He's working on a changeup but hasn't developed feel for the pitch to throw it consistently. Prior to the draft, some scouts were concerned by Spruill's long arm action, but his ability to repeat his fluid delivery should allow him to stay healthy and throw strikes. While he's very much a work in progress, he possesses physical ability that can't be taught. He could earn a spot in low Class A this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Carolina League #11 prospect in 2011
  Considered one of the top pitching prospects in the Braves system heading into 2010, Spruill hurt his status by breaking his pitching hand by punching a wall after a bad start. He missed half the season and earned a repeat trip to the Carolina League in 2011. He showed renewed focus and a better approach in his second try at the league, topping the CL with a 1.01 WHIP. Spruill consistently works down in the zone with his 91-94 mph fastball, which generates lots of grounders with its premium sink. He also has good sink on his changeup and does a good job of staying ahead of hitters. When his slider is working, Spruill nearly unbeatable. It's still inconsistent but at his best he can vary its tilt, throwing a tighter slider for strikes or running it out of the zone as a chase pitch.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #17 prospect in 2008
  The Braves have an affinity for homestate prospects, so it was no surprise when they selected Spruill in the second round out of a Georgia high school. He signed quickly for $600,000 and led the GCL in wins while going 7-0, 2.93 in 10 outings. Spruill impressed scouts with his ability to keep the ball down in the strike zone and consistently get ahead in the count. He has fine command of a three-pitch arsenal: an 88-90 mph fastball, a slider and a changeup. At 6-feet-4 and 185 pounds, he has an ideal pitcher's frame and projects to add velocity as he matures. He gets good downhill plane on his fastball. Atlanta was impressed with his mound presence as well.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Spruill has overcome off-field issues and a broken right hand (from punching a dugout wall) early in his career to become a reliable, durable starter the last two seasons. He led the Southern League in starts (27) and innings (162) in 2012. He cemented a spot on the Atlanta's 40-man roster by performing well in the Arizona Fall League. Scouting Report: Spruill uses his tall frame to pitch on a downhill plane, pounding the lower half of the strike zone while pitching to contact. His 91-94 mph fastball has good sink, and he uses it to get ahead in the count. His changeup also features nice sink and fades away from righthanders. He sells it well by throwing it with the same arm speed he uses with his fastball. The key to Spruill's future is the consistency of his slider, which isn't particularly tight. He can get strikeouts with his slider when it's working, but it also flattens out and hangs up in the strike zone at times. He doesn't miss a lot of bats, but he also doesn't beat himself by giving up walks or home runs. The Future: Counting the AFL, Spruill has made 61 starts and worked 359 innings in the last two years. He profiles as an innings-eater who can fill the No. 4 or 5 spot in a contender's rotation. He'll get his first Triple-A opportunity in 2013.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background:: After missing time because of off-field issues in 2009 and a broken right hand (the result of punching a dugout wall) in 2010, Spruill finally put together the full season the Braves hoped for in 2011 in a return to high Class A. He led the minors with six complete games and ranked third with 175 innings, and he also topped the Carolina League with a 1.01 WHIP. Scouting Report: Spruill found success by pounding the bottom of the strike zone with his sinking 91-94 mph fastball, pitching to contact and not worrying about strikeouts. He uses his fastball command to get ahead in the count, then mixes in his secondary pitches to keep hitters off-balance. Spruill's solid changeup also has good sink and he throws it with the same arm action he employs with his fastball. His slider has been inconsistent but shows impressive tilt and movement when he's throwing it well. He gets in trouble when he leaves his pitches up in the zone. The Future: In danger of becoming a forgotten prospect before his breakout season, Spruill will return to Double-A to open 2012. If he continues on this path, he can become a workhorse No. 3 or 4 starter in the big leagues.