Jonny Venters

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #30 prospect in 2010
  Injuries have highlighted Venters' career, including a torn elbow ligament that required Tommy John surgery and cost him the entire 2006 season, and elbow tendinitis that limited him to 34 innings in 2008. Healthy again last season, he didn't allow an earned run in half of his 12 starts at Mississippi before a promotion to Gwinnett in mid-June. Venters has solid overall stuff and is aggressive with all of his pitches. His fastball ranges from 88- 94 mph, and he can add to and subtract from it at will. He also has a plus slider and an average curveball and changeup. Venters' stuff isn't as effective as it should be, because he doesn't throw strikes or locate his pitches consistently. He projects best as a late-inning lefty reliever and occasional spot starter. Venters will open 2010 back in Triple-A but he's been added to Atlanta's 40-man roster and should make his major league debut at some point during the season.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #31 prospect in 2006
  The Braves were thrilled with the progress Venters made in his first full pro season after signing the year before as a draft-and-follow. But he was dealt a major setback last September, when he required Tommy John surgery that will sideline him for the entire 2006 season. Atlanta had been cautious with Venters, a converted outfielder who's a tremendous athlete with a projectable body. He throws in the low 90s and mixes in a developing breaking ball and changeup. Despite his limited amount of experience on the mound, he has a good feel for pitching and a strong mound presence. Once he returns to health, Venters will need to master his command of the strike zone. The Braves hope he'll be at full strength for 2007.