2nd round pick Cade Kuehler brings Spencer Strider comparisons to Atlanta's draft class
While many questioned the decision of letting Dansby Swanson leave for Wrigleyville, the emergence of Orlando Arcia and the cash saved in the process has given the Braves immediate confirmation that it was a smart front office move.
Along with the immediate benefits, Braves’ general manager Alex Anthopoulos and company were also lucky enough to bring in a talented, young pitcher as a result of Swanson’s departure.
Cade Kuehler, a right-handed starter from Campbell, was selected as the 70th overall pick with Atlanta’s compensation pick the team received from losing Swanson to the Cubs and has already garnered plenty of attention.
The Campbell ace was a key part in the Camels’ success this season, posting an 8-1 record and a 2.71 ERA. He also walked 26 batters and struck out 91 in his 73 innings pitched, becoming just the fourth pitcher in program history to total over 200 strikeouts.
The supplemental second-rounder was tabbed to the first-team Big South team and Baseball America’s all-America third team after his standout season.
Along with his success with the Camels, Kuehler also served as the 2022 USA collegiate national team’s closer, where he made both of his appearances in extra-inning situations. During his time with the team, he developed a strong bond with Atlanta’s first-round pick, Hurston Waldrep, as the two became throwing partners.
While his impressive resume with Campbell and USA Baseball show the level of talent he brings to Atlanta, Kuehler's arsenal of pitches has already landed him comparisons to Spencer Strider.
Kuehler’s fastball, which sits at 93-95 mph and peaks at 98 mph, helped boost his draft stock plenty as his spin rates also impressed in the Camels’ standout season. While the fastball proved to be his bread and butter pitch, he also showcased a strong array of pitches with Campbell, including a splitter and cutter that helped boost his strikeout total.
Braves assistant director of scouting Ronit Shah described his fastball as “electric” in an interview with Bally Sports, also noting the success it brought him against strong competitors at the NCAA Division-I level.
While many observers expect him to emerge as a strong starter, it’s not to say that Atlanta won’t try him out in a reliever role. His frame and wide array of pitches alone show that he could be a high-leverage option, if the choice was made to move him to the bullpen.
His experience as a closer at the international level certainly helps as well.
Along with his strong pitching, Kuehler also brings experience to Atlanta’s minor-league corps.
The trio of right-handed pitchers selected in the draft (Waldrep, Drue Hackenberg and Kuehler) provides a boost of experienced college pitchers to the team’s minor league system, with Atlanta’s top four prospects all under the age of 21.
Past that, 2021 draftee and Nebraska product Spencer Schwellenbach is in High-A Rome continuing his first season back after missing time with Tommy John surgery, while Darius Vines and Dylan Dodd have already seen time in Atlanta.
Kuehler’s presence, along with Waldrep and Hackenberg’s, should diversify the minor league ranks almost immediately.
His Campbell pedigree is also encouraging, with Angels shortstop Zach Neto and Orioles All-Star Cedric Mullins also helping the Camels’ reputation as a school that can develop talent. Fellow Campbell product Allan Winans is also quietly having a solid season in Triple-A for the Gwinnett Stripers.
With Atlanta’s front office even more excited about the team’s future with its strong draft class, there’s plenty of reason to believe that Kuehler could make an appearance at Truist Park sooner rather than later.
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