Julio Teheran

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #1 prospect in 2013
  Expectations never have been a problem for Teheran. Signed as a 16-year-old out of Colombia in 2007 for $850,000, the largest bonus given to any international pitcher that year, he overcame a bout of shoulder tendinitis in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2008 to rank as that circuit's top prospect a year later. He then garnered the same recognition in the high Class A Carolina League in 2010 before earning pitcher and rookie of the year honors in the Triple-A International League in 2011. He also made his major league debut that year and entered last spring as a leading candidate to break camp in the Atlanta rotation. Instead, Teheran struggled with leaving pitches up in the strike zone and allowed nine homers while in big league camp. He performed well in the first two months at Triple-A Gwinnett and tossed the first nine-inning complete game of his career on June 3 before making an emergency start for the Braves. He wasn't the same pitcher after returning to the IL, going 2-7, 6.46 in his final 15 starts. Though Teheran was just 21 and trying to incorporate some mechanical adjustments, his downturn still was stunning. Teheran has an electric arm, but his delivery had some violence that the Braves wanted to iron out in order to reduce his risk of injury. In 2012, they decided to reduce the bend on his back leg during his windup. He had been turning and coiling his body to generate more momentum toward the plate, placing additional strain on his right knee and elbow. Atlanta worked with Teheran on keeping his back leg straighter in order to create a better center of balance, particularly in his core. The alterations not only led to less initial success, but also to a reduction in fastball velocity. After sitting at 93-95 mph and reaching 97 in 2011, Teheran operated mostly at 90-93 last season. To his credit, he stuck with the changes and showed signs of regaining his previous velocity during the latter weeks of the campaign. He still has above-average fastball command and the ability to work both sides of the plate. His changeup remains the best in the system, a 79-81 mph offering with outstanding depth and fade. Teheran continues to search for a consistently reliable breaking ball. His curveball has good rotation but he hangs it too often, and he trusts his slider even less than his curve. After struggling with his confidence for most of 2012, he regained his swagger as he became more comfortable with the way he was throwing the ball. He has an impressive knowledge of how to set up hitters, along with impeccable work ethic and determination. Though Teheran couldn't crack the Braves rotation in 2012, he remains firmly in their long-term plans and has as much upside as any starter in the organization--including the big league club. He won't be a No. 1 starter without a better breaking ball, but he definitely has the package to become a No. 2 or 3. He'll compete for a starting job again this spring, and Atlanta won't be concerned if he winds up back at Gwinnett to open the season. Either way, he should see a decent amount of time in the big leagues in 2013.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #1 prospect in 2012
  No teenage pitcher over the past two decades has sped through the Braves system faster than Teheran. He signed as a 16-year-old out of Colombia in 2007 for $850,000, the largest bonus for an international amateur pitcher that year. The Yankees actually offered him more money, but Atlanta had an edge in that his cousin Miguel was one of the scouts who signed him. Teheran battled shoulder tendinitis during his 2008 pro debut but hasn't slowed down since. He ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2009 and again in the high Class A Carolina League the following year. That success notwithstanding, Teheran put together his best pro season in 2011. He made a pair of emergency starts in Atlanta in mid-May before returning for three appearances in September. In between, he led the Triple-A International League with 15 wins while ranking second in ERA (2.55) and opponent average (.232). With an electric arm, excellent instincts and maturity beyond his years, Teheran makes pitching look easy. He mixes four pitches to keep hitters off balance and does a good job of getting ahead in the count. A lanky hurler who throws on an impressive downward plane, Teheran works low in the zone and also is capable of getting batters to chase high fastballs. His heater sits at 93-95 mph and touches 97. He commands the pitch to both sides of the plate and isn't afraid to pitch inside. His changeup is nearly as good as his fastball, featuring outstanding depth and fade. He seems to know to throw his changeup when the batter least expects it. Teheran throws two breaking balls--a curveball in the low 80s with late bite, and a slider he uses less frequently--and developing a consistently reliable one is his main need at this point. Otherwise, he just needs to refine a few things, such as his fastball command and his pickoff move. The Braves have ironed out his delivery and will continue to monitor his mechanics in order to minimize the violence associated with generating such tremendous power. His pitching coaches rave about Teheran's work ethic, desire to improve and willingness to accept constructive criticism. Teheran has the ability to become a No. 1 starter. He'll need to add some strength and become a little sharper with all of his pitches in order to attain that status--which is why he may start 2012 back in Triple-A--but the goal is well within reach.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #1 prospect in 2011
  The Braves signed Teheran out of Colombia in 2007 for $850,000, the largest bonus for a pitcher on the international market that year. His cousin Miguel was one of the scouts who signed him, and that relationship contributed to Julio's decision to turn down a higher offer from the Yankees. It took some time to start living up to his projections, as his 2008 pro debut lasted just 15 innings due to shoulder tendinitis. He returned to Rookie-level Danville in 2009 and ranked as the Appalachian League's top prospect before earning a late-season promotion to low Class A Rome. Atlanta turned Teheran loose last season, when he advanced three levels while ranking second in the system in ERA (2.59) and strikeouts (159 in 142 innings). He overpowered the low Class A South Atlantic League in April and May before jumping to high Class A Myrtle Beach, where he ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Carolina League, then earned a promotion to Double-A Mississippi in late July. Teheran also stood out at the Futures Game, where he didn't throw a fastball under 95 mph. Teheran has an electric arm, the ability to throw all of his pitches for strikes and the knowledge of how to exploit batters' weaknesses. His fastball clocks consistently in the 94-96 mph range, and he maintains his velocity throughout a game. He has a pair of above average secondary pitches, with his changeup grading slightly better than his curveball. His changeup shows nice fade and he's willing to throw it in any count. His curve resides in the low 80s with hard bite and depth. Teheran's command is impressive, though he struggled a little with his precision shortly after being promoted to Double-A. He works both sides of the plate, usually keeping all of his offerings at the knees and below. Teheran needs to get stronger, but that will come naturally as his body matures. Some scouts say his delivery has a little bit of violence and worry about the long-term wear and tear on the elbow and shoulder, while others believe he throws easy gas and aren't worried about his mechanics. Comparisons to a young Pedro Martinez are commonplace, and Teheran's biggest backers think he's more advanced at the same stage of his career. The Braves thought Teheran could jump on the fast track, and he exceeded their expectations, advancing to Double-A as a teenager. He may split 2011 between Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, with a late season cup of coffee in Atlanta a possibility. Chances are his first opportunity for a job in the big league rotation won't come until 2012. He has front-of-the-rotation talent and will challenge Tommy Hanson for the role as the Braves' No. 1 starter by the middle of the decade.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #3 prospect in 2010
  The Braves signed Teheran for $850,000, the largest bonus given to a pitcher on the international market in 2007. After pitching sparingly in 2008 because of shoulder tendinitis, Teheran returned to the Rookie-level Appalachian League last summer and ranked as the loop's top prospect. Teheran throws easy heat with plus command and mound presence beyond his years. His fastball resides at 92-96 mph and holds its velocity throughout the game. His sharp, mid-70s curveball has good depth and can be a plus pitch, particularly after he tightened its spin. His 79-82 mph changeup is also an above-average pitch at times, with depth, fade and screwball-like movement. He has impressive poise that some scouts believe borders on cockiness. Teheran is still learning how to pitch. His physical stamina needs some work, and scouts have some concerns about his mechanics, which aren't effortless. He has a long arm rotation in the back of his herky-jerky delivery that creates deception but attracts questions about his durability. Teheran has all the ingredients to develop into a frontline starter. He's expected to return to low Class A Rome to open the 2010 slate. While the Braves will be cautious due to his youth and lack of physical maturity, Teheran could accelerate his timetable.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #8 prospect in 2009
  The top amateur pitcher on the international market in 2007, Teheran signed for $850,000, thanks in part to his cousin Miguel, a Braves scout. Impressed by his maturity in spring training, Atlanta sent him to the Appalachian League, where he was the youngest pitcher at age 17. He developed a sore shoulder after two starts, and was used sparingly afterward. Teheran throws easy gas, displaying a 90-93 mph fastball with above-average life in instructional league. His changeup is also a plus pitch and he'll throw it any time in the count. His poise is remarkable, and he has a strong idea of what he needs to accomplish by working both sides of the plate as well as the top and bottom of the zone. Teheran needs to tighten the spin on his rolling curveball. He also must do a better job commanding his pitches in the zone. Though doctors found nothing wrong with his shoulder, he'll have to get stronger. He's still learning that he can't just overpower every hitter he faces. The Braves feel no need to rush Teheran and may keep him in extended spring before sending him back to Danville. He has top-of-the-rotation ability and will get all the time he needs to develop.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #10 prospect in 2008
  The Braves believe they signed the top amateur pitcher in Latin America when they inked Teheran for $850,000. His cousin Miguel is one of the scouts who signed him for the Braves, and he reportedly turned down a higher offer from the Yankees. He showed every indication during instructional league that he'll be as good as advertised. Teheran is a mature teenager with a vast repertoire, great makeup and tremendous upside. Scouts love how easily the ball comes out of his hand and how loose his arm works. His fastball sat at 94-95 during instructional league. He throws an advanced changeup at 81-82 with good sinking action. His 78-79 mph curveball has late, hard bite. Teheran has a pump delivery and struggles at times with his command. His arm action is a little short in the backside and he needs to get stronger, which should occur naturally as he matures physically. Teheran has a chance to move rapidly through the system and become a standout at the major league level. The Braves have no plans to rush him, and likely will send him to the Gulf Coast League in 2008 in order to help him adapt to pro ball and a new culture.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #4 prospect in 2012
  Teheran was the IL's most valuable pitcher and wins leader (15) in 2011, but his ERA nearly doubled this year as he gave up 18 homers--nearly matching the total from his first pro four seasons. Managers either didn't want to discuss Teheran's troubles publicly or couldn't put their finger on why he struggled. Teheran's fastball just wasn't the same 93-95 mph premium pitch that it used to be, dropping to 91-93 and sitting flatter up in the strike zone. Some scouts speculated that his move to the first-base side of the rubber cost him deception on the pitch, which hitters sat on and hammered. He didn't throw strikes with either his curve or the slider he used more later in the season, though his fading, sinking changeup remains a plus pitch. "I saw him throw well," said Syracuse manager Tony Beasley, whose Chiefs beat Teheran 1-0 in mid-August. "He had fastball command and got some confidence. The stuff and the numbers didn't add up, because he was on the good side with all his stuff on that day."
• 
  Ranked International League #2 prospect in 2011
  After moving their top prospect through three levels in 2010, the Braves let Teheran polish his game in the IL, with a couple of one-game detours to Atlanta in May. The youngest player in Triple-A on Opening Day, he ran away with league leadership in wins (15) and finished runner-up in ERA (2.55). The lanky Teheran gets nice downward plane on his pitches. His fastball typically sits at 94-95 mph, running as high as 97, and he commands it well to both sides of the plate. His plus changeup is his best secondary pitch because while his curveball has gotten sharper, it remains inconsistent. "He mixes his pitches very well, throws quality strikes," Syracuse manager Randy Knorr said. "He just knows how to pitch." A tremendous competitor, Teheran has outstanding poise and an advanced approach to setting up hitters, trusting his secondary pitches enough to throw them early in the count. As dominating as he was at times, he's not a finished product and seemed to wear down slightly as the season progressed, posting a 4.04 ERA in the second half.
• 
  Ranked Carolina League #1 prospect in 2010
  The Braves handled Teheran carefully after signing him out of Colombia for $850,000, the largest bonus given to an international amateur pitcher in 2007. They finally turned him loose this year, when he zoomed from low Class A to Double-A. In between, he made 10 impressive starts for Myrtle Beach. "Teheran is a top-of-the-rotation guy," Potomac manager Gary Cathcart said. "He's as impressive as you'll ever see with his ability at a young age to command a couple of pitches, not just throw with velocity. He also has a curveball and a changeup, and I like his ability to have a feel for all of them." Though Teheran maintains a 92-96 mph fastball deep into games, he still could stand to get stronger. His curveball has hard downer movement, while his changeup has nice fade. He not only throws strikes with what could be three plus offerings, but he also pitches to both sides of the plate and at the knees.
• 
  Ranked National League #1 prospect in 2009
  Teheran's $850,000 bonus was the largest of any pitcher on the 2007 international market, and Appy League batters witnessed firsthand the explosive nature of the 18-year-old Colombian's stuff. He made his pro debut at Danville in 2008, but shoulder tendinitis capped his workload at 15 innings. Teheran made just seven starts for Danville this season before the Braves promoted him to low Class A. In his final outing, he struck out 11 Burlington batters over eight innings of two-hit ball. Teheran's overwhelming 92-96 mph fastball sits in the mid-90s even late in games, and he already shows a plus 79-82 changeup with late tail and fade. He repeats his three-quarters slot and arm speed, making his changeup that much tougher. Peak separation between Teheran's fastball and changeup can reach an astounding 15 mph. While Teheran's mid-70s curveball shows good depth at times, the consistency of the pitch could stand improvement. His confidence on the mound borders on cockiness, but managers were more impressed with his poise and maturity in his second season in the league. He repeats a herky-jerky, two-part arm swing that features a long, stabbing motion in back, followed by a quick motion in front, which adds deception to his delivery.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #44 prospect in 2013
• Ranked Baseball America's #5 prospect in 2012
• Ranked Baseball America's #5 prospect in 2011
• Ranked Baseball America's #51 prospect in 2010

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Expectations never have been a problem for Teheran. Signed as a 16-year-old out of Colombia in 2007 for $850,000, the largest bonus given to any international pitcher that year, he overcame a bout of shoulder tendinitis in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2008 to rank as that circuit's top prospect a year later. He then garnered the same recognition in the high Class A Carolina League in 2010 before earning pitcher and rookie of the year honors in the Triple-A International League in 2011. He also made his major league debut that year and entered last spring as a leading candidate to break camp in the Atlanta rotation. Instead, Teheran struggled with leaving pitches up in the strike zone and allowed nine homers while in big league camp. He performed well in the first two months at Triple-A Gwinnett and tossed the first nine-inning complete game of his career on June 3 before making an emergency start for the Braves. After returning to the IL, he wasn't the same pitcher, going 2-7, 6.46 in his final 15 starts. Though Teheran was just 21 and was trying to incorporate some mechanical adjustments, his downturn still was stunning. Scouting Report: Teheran has an electric arm, but his delivery had some violence that the Braves wanted to iron out in order to reduce his risk of injury. In 2012, they decided to reduce the bend on his back leg during his windup. He had been turning and coiling his body to generate more momentum toward the plate, placing additional strain on his right knee and elbow. Atlanta worked with Teheran on keeping his back leg straighter in order to create a better center of balance, particularly in his core. The alterations not only led to less initial success, but also to a reduction in fastball velocity. After sitting at 93-95 mph and reaching 97 in 2011, Teheran operated mostly at 90-93 last season. To his credit, he stuck with the changes and showed signs of regaining his previous velocity during the latter weeks of the campaign. He still has above-average fastball command and the ability to work both sides of the plate. His changeup remains the best in the system, a 79-81 mph offering with outstanding depth and fade. Teheran continues to search for a consistently reliable breaking ball. His curveball has good rotation but he hangs it too often, and he trusts his slider even less than his curve. After struggling with his confidence for most of 2012, he regained his swagger as he became more comfortable with the way he was throwing the ball. He has an impressive knowledge of how to set up hitters, along with impeccable work ethic and determination. The Future: Though Teheran couldn't crack the Braves rotation in 2012, he remains firmly in their long-term plans and has as much upside as any starter in the organization--including the big league club. He won't be a No. 1 starter without a better breaking ball, but he definitely has the package to become a No. 2 or 3. He'll compete for a starting job again this spring, and Atlanta won't be concerned if he winds up back at Gwinnett to open the season. Either way, he should see a decent amount of time in the big leagues in 2013.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: No teenage pitcher over the past two decades has sped through the Braves system faster than Teheran. He signed as a 16-year-old out of Colombia in 2007 for $850,000, the largest bonus for an international amateur pitcher that year. The Yankees actually offered him more money, but Atlanta had an edge in that Teheran's cousin Miguel was one of the Braves scouts who signed him. Teheran battled shoulder tendinitis during his 2008 pro debut but hasn't slowed down since. He ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2009 and again in the high Class A Carolina League the following year. That success notwithstanding, Teheran put together his best pro season in 2011. He made a pair of emergency starts in Atlanta in mid-May before returning for three appearances in September. In between, he led the Triple-A International League with 15 wins while ranking second in ERA (2.55) and opponent average (.232) and fourth in WHIP (1.18). Ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the IL behind Rays lefthander Matt Moore, Teheran was named the loop's pitcher and rookie of the year. Scouting Report: With an electric arm, excellent instincts and maturity beyond his years, Teheran makes pitching look easy. He mixes four pitches to keep hitters off-balance and does a good job of getting ahead in the count. A lanky hurler who throws on an impressive downward plane, Teheran works low in the zone and also is capable of getting batters to chase high fastballs. His heater sits at 93-95 mph and touches 97. Teheran commands the pitch to both sides of the plate and isn't afraid to pitch inside. Teheran's changeup is nearly as good as his fastball, featuring outstanding depth and fade. He seems to know to throw his changeup when the batter least expects it. Teheran throws two breaking balls--a curveball in the low 80s with late bite, and a slider he uses less frequently--and developing a consistently reliable one is his main need at this point. Otherwise, he just needs to refine a few things, such as his fastball command and his pickoff move. He did not locate his fastball as well as usual during his time in Atlanta, giving up four homers in 20 innings after surrendering just 20 in 384 frames in the minor leagues. The Braves have ironed out his delivery and will continue to monitor his mechanics in order to minimize the violence associated with generating such tremendous power. The organization's pitching coaches rave about Teheran's work ethic, his desire to improve and willingness to accept constructive criticism. The Future: Teheran has the ability to become a No. 1 starter. He'll need to add some strength and become a little sharper with all of his pitches in order to attain that status, but the goal is well within his reach. While Atlanta has plenty of starting pitching, General Manager Frank Wren said at the end of the 2011 regular season that it was time to give an opportunity to some of the young starters in the system. The Braves will give Teheran a long look during spring training, though he'll be just 21 years old and could get some more Triple-A experience to open the season.