2017 MLB Draft: Atlanta Braves Select Kyle Wright Fifth Overall

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The Atlanta Braves have taken RHP Kyle Wright from Vanderbilt with the fifth overall pick.

Welcome to #BravesCountry, @Kyle_Wright44! #BravesDraft pic.twitter.com/uLSNKATaPJ

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 12, 2017

Kyle Wright has established himself as the top college right-hander available in this draft class and could be an ace in a starting rotation.

Wright’s fastball sits in the 91-94 mph range and can reach 97. He utilizes a curveball against left-handers, which is his best secondary pitch. Wright features a slider/cutter that he throws to right-handers, per David Adler of MLB.com.

Wright’s changeup could be a power pitch for him as it sits in the upper 80s, but he seldom uses the pitch, per Justin Perline of Baseball America.

He has a smooth delivery with very little maintenance and his six-foot-four, 220-pound frame makes it easy for him to maintain velocity deep in games.

Wright got better as the season progressed, including a dominant stretch of 38 innings in April and May that he yielded just 15 hits, surrendered nine walks and fanned 44 batters.

It’s possible that his stuff becomes better as there is still some projection left for him. Wright is an athletic individual, who has the potential to lead a rotation by mastering all the pitches in his repertoire.

An MLB comparison for Wright is a more physical version of Kris Benson.

The Braves taking Wright with the fifth pick was a smart move as they may have drafted someone who can lead their staff for years to come.

If Wright can command all his pitches, that will play a major role on what kind of impact he has with the Braves.

It’s nice the Braves added another player from Vanderbilt as they already have Dansby Swanson on their roster.

There have been some great players who have come from Vanderbilt and Wright could continue that theme.

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Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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