Luis De Avila Makes Strides With Braves
Double-A Mississippi lefthander Luis De Avila has built a case as one of the more promising pitchers in a depleted Braves farm system.
De Avila took an unconventional route to his ascending prospect status, but at age 22 he seems to be figuring himself out.
The Rockies signed De Avila out of Colombia in 2017. Two years later, he was released after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
He returned to pitching in 2021 with the Royals—but only after missing another campaign due to the pandemic—and posted a 5.16 ERA in 24 appearances at Low-A Columbia.
Since the Braves took De Vila in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft in December 2021, he has showed life. He spent last season with High-A Rome, recording a 3.49 ERA that was best in the South Atlantic League. He struck out 129 in 126.1 innings.
This season, De Avila’s encouraging trends continue. He had a 3.23 ERA through 21 starts and had struck out 105 in 100.1 innings. Southern League opponents were hitting just .224 against him.
De Avila’s control remains an issue. He had walked 4.7 batters per nine innings but is still somewhat raw after throwing just 57.2 innings between 2019 and 2021.
De Avila stacks strikeouts with a curveball and changeup. The former is further along than the latter. His repertoire suggests he could eventually make it as a reliever if he falls short of his starter aspirations.
But when he’s showed his best, De Avila has been outstanding. His finest month was June, when he had a 1.61 ERA in five starts to go with a 29-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 28 innings.
He has a long way to go, but De Avila has certainly made strides since joining the Braves.
NOTES
— Florida product Hurston Waldrep, the Braves’ first-round pick, is their first 2023 draftee to play professionally.He impressed early with a 1.74 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 10.1 innings over three starts for Low-A Augusta and High-A Rome.
— Looking for the next rising Braves prospect? Then 17-year-old Venezuelan outfielder Luis Guanipa is a prime candidate. The Braves signed Guanipa to headline their second international class since being freed of restrictions on the market. He projects as a well-rounded player. He had a .761 OPS with 20 stolen bases through 45 games in the Dominican Summer League.
