Another top prospect is set to make his debut for the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night.
It was announced Tuesday morning that Atlanta’s eighth-ranked prospect, LHP Luiz Gohara, will get the start against the Texas Rangers. Gohara has had a strong season across three MiLB levels and looks ready for his next step. Gohara is following in the footsteps of Lucas Sims, Ozzie Albies, Sean Newcomb, and Max Fried in making his debut this season.
Mark Bowman with MLB.com shared the report on Twitter.
Luiz Gohara will make his MLB debut when he starts tonight's game against the Rangers. Teheran is just being pushed back a day.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 5, 2017
Luiz Gohara Will Debut for Atlanta
Season Performance
Gohara began the season at the Advanced-A level with the Florida Fire Frogs, but it was quickly apparent that he would not stay in Florida long. He posted a 1.98 ERA in seven starts with 39 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 36.1 innings pitched. He was quickly promoted to Double-A Mississippi where he was delayed a bit by injury.
Gohara was no less impressive with Mississippi. In 12 appearances (11 starts), Gohara compiled a 2.60 ERA with 60 strikeouts, 18 walks, and just two home runs allowed over 52 innings. Even more impressive is that Double-A batters hit just .218 against Gohara.
The decision was made in late July to move the 21-year-old Gohara again, this time to Triple-A Gwinnett. His numbers have come down a bit during his time there, but he has maintained solid growth throughout. Gohara’s total stats in 26 appearances (25 starts) this season are a 7-4 record, 2.62 ERA, 147 strikeouts, 44 walks, and six home runs allowed in 123.2 innings. It is true that Gohara is young, but Atlanta fans are past relying on veterans after the Bartolo Colon debacle. Atlanta is still in a rebuild, and it is time to begin seeing what these young prospects can do at the big league level.
Outlook
Like most young pitchers, it is more than likely that Gohara will struggle at times in MLB. Still, letting Gohara see action this season increases the odds that he will have a better feel for his craft heading into 2018. It is certainly plausible that Gohara could open 2018 as a full-time member of Atlanta’s rotation. Either way, fans will enjoy getting to see a highly touted arm on the mound tonight.
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