Zach Braddock

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #7 prospect in 2010
  Braddock had Tommy John surgery in high school, and repeated elbow and shoulder issues made it a struggle for the Brewers to keep him on the mound as a starter. So they moved him to the bullpen in 2009. While he had two monthlong stints on the disabled list, he was dominant when healthy, posting a 62-7 strikeout-walk ratio in 40 innings. Braddock has a live arm, consistently throwing at 91-94 mph while topping out at 96. He also features a sharp slider that gives lefthanders nightmares, and he has dabbled with an improving cutter. He pounds the strike zone, using his size to throw on a steep downward plane. He has an effective changeup, though he doesn't throw it much, especially as a reliever. The biggest issue with Braddock is his health. Aside from his surgery in high school, he has pitched just 198 innings in four pro seasons. He also has dealt with emotional issues that required medication, though he seems to have those under control. To continue Braddock's transition from starter to reliever and to get him more innings, the Brewers sent him to the Arizona Fall League. If he can avoid more physical setbacks, he could join Milwaukee's bullpen at some point in 2010. It's tempting to think of what he might do as a starter, but he hasn't proven he can hold up in that role.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #12 prospect in 2009
  Braddock's ability makes him one of the most intriguing pitching prospects in the system. Now, if the Brewers could only keep him on the mound. Elbow tenderness limited him to 71 innings last season, and he worked only in short relief in August after sitting out more than three weeks. He had Tommy John surgery in high school, so the elbow problems last year were a source of concern. He also worked just 47 innings in 2007 because of shoulder soreness. When healthy, Braddock profiles as a starter with three quality pitches: a 90-93 mph fastball, a sharp slider and an improving changeup. Despite the elbow problems, he normally pitches with a fluid delivery that makes his fastball get on hitters quicker than they expect. His command wasn't as sharp last year as it had been in 2007, in part because of the elbow problems, yet he still missed a lot of bats. With the combination of the sore elbow and emotional issues that required medication in the past, Braddock's maturity and determination have been tested. He has moved up through the system even though he hasn't pitched much, and the Brewers believe if they can keep him on the mound for a full season, he'll blossom quickly. He'll get a chance to earn a job in Double-A during spring training.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #13 prospect in 2008
  Some scouts thought Braddock was the best pitcher they saw in the South Atlantic League in the first half of the season. "He had a month and a half that was off the charts," West Virginia pitching coach John Curtis says. But Braddock missed three weeks starting in mid-May with shoulder tendinitis, came back and made two abbreviated starts, then didn't pitch after June 15 because of a shoulder strain. When healthy, Braddock showed an 89-92 mph fastball, a sharp slider and an improving changeup. He demonstrated consistent command and didn't allow more than two runs in any of his 10 outings. Big and strong, Braddock has a smooth, fluid delivery that makes him sneaky fast. Like many young pitchers, he relies too much on his fastball at times but should gain more trust in his secondary pitches with experience. Braddock had Tommy John surgery in high school, so he has bounced back from a more serious injury in the past. He didn't require surgery in 2007, but he also is dealing with emotional issues that are being treated with medication. Braddock has obstacles to overcome, but the Brewers believe he has a very high ceiling. He'll pitch in high Class A this year.