Julio Teherán

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Teherán (teh-eh-rahn') and the second or maternal family name is Pinto.
Julio Teherán
Atlanta Braves – No. 49
Starting pitcher
Born: January 27, 1991
Cartagena, Colombia
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 7, 2011 for the Atlanta Braves
Career statistics
(through April 11, 2015)
Win–loss record 31–22
Earned run average 3.12
Strikeouts 380
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Julio Alberto Teherán Pinto (born January 27, 1991) is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball. Teherán was signed by the Atlanta Braves out of his hometown of Cartagena, Colombia as a non-drafted free agent at age of 16.[1]

Prior to the 2011 season, Teherán was the top ranked prospect by Baseball America in the Atlanta Braves system and fifth overall of all prospects.[2][3]

Professional career

Minor league career

Teherán signed with the Braves on July 3, 2007,[4] and started his professional career in 2008, pitching for the Danville Braves. During that season he started six games and had a 1–2 record with a 6.60 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 15 innings.

He spent the 2009 season pitching for Danville and the Rome Braves. In 14 starts he went 3–4 with a 3.65 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 81 innings. Prior to the 2010 season, Baseball America ranked him as the Braves third best prospect behind Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman.[5]

Coming off a promising 2009 season, the Atlanta Braves decided to allow Teheran another full season in the minors. He spent the 2010 season pitching for the Rome Braves, Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Mississippi Braves. He finished the season with a 9–8 record, a 2.59 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 142 innings over 24 starts.

Teherán started the 2011 season with the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, going 3–0 with a 1.80 ERA in his first 5 starts. He was the starting pitcher for the World team in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game on July 10, 2011, but gave up a home run on a 95-mph fastball to the first batter, Cleveland Indians prospect Jason Kipnis, who was leading off the bottom of the first inning for the United States.[6][7]

Atlanta Braves (2011–present)

On May 6, 2011, the Braves announced that Teherán would be making his Major League debut on May 7 against the Philadelphia Phillies.[8] He took the loss, allowing three earned runs in 4.2 innings pitched with two walks and a strikeout.[9] He was optioned back to Triple-A the next day.[10] Teherán was called up again for another spot start on May 18, pitching 4 innings and getting a no-decision.[11] He was again optioned back to Triple-A the next day.[12]

He completed the 2011 Minor League season with a 15-3 win-loss record and a 2.55 ERA in 24 starts.

Teherán rejoined the Atlanta Braves when rosters expanded in September.[13] He earned his first major league win against the New York Mets on September 8.[14] He was named a starting pitcher on Baseball America's 2011 Minor League All Star team.[15]

Teherán was ranked No. 5 by Baseball America among all prospects entering the 2012 season, and the No.2 right-handed pitcher.[16] With the 5-man rotation in question, he was invited to Spring Training to make his case for a spot on the 25-man roster. In the 5 games he appeared in, including 3 starts, Teherán struggled to find a groove, giving up 22 hits and 18 runs in just 16.1 innings pitched. He was unable to consistently throw strikes as well, giving up 8 walks.

After struggling against Major League hitters, Teherán was assigned to re-join Gwinnett where he continued his inconsistencies.[17] He fell to a 7–9 record in 26 starts with a 5.08 ERA, giving up 18 home runs.

When injuries plagued the Major League roster, including a season-ending injury to Brandon Beachy, Teherán was passed over by several other players for the call-up. Atlanta signed free agent Ben Sheets, traded for Paul Maholm, and called Randall Delgado up as replacements rather than the highly touted prospect.

Expectations for the 21-year-old Teherán were lower in 2013 than the previous spring.[18] He was invited to the Major League Spring Training once again, however, where he showed flares of stardom, posting a 1.29 ERA through four starts, spanning 14.1 innings through March 16. He did not start the regular season off strong, with a 5.08 ERA in the first month, but 2014 ended up being his breakout year. He turned things around after April, finishing the season with 14-8 record, 3.20 ERA, 170 strikeouts, and 185.2 IP. On June 5, Teherán was pitching a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates through 7.2 innings before giving up a single to pinch hitter Brandon Inge.[19]

Teherán signed a 6-year, $32.4 million extension with the Braves on February 14, 2014.[20][21] Teherán was selected to the 2014 MLB All-Star Game, his first All-Star game selection.[22] However, he was ineligible to due to previously pitching the Sunday before the All-Star break.[23] He was honored as an All-Star in a pregame ceremony. Teherán became the second Colombian to be selected an All-Star, following former Brave Edgar Rentería.[24]

Scouting report

Teherán throws a four seam fastball that averages 92 mph, paired with a sinker at 89 mph. His slider and change up both are thrown at around 82 mph. His curveball sits in the mid-70s. Teherán also has a screwball (65 mph) that he does not use very often.[25] Teherán has a very effective pickoff move.[26][27] His 14 successful attempts over the 2013 and 2014 seasons combined were the most for any pitcher during that period.[28]

Personal

Teherán's second cousin is Sugar Ray Marimón.[29] They grew up together in Cartagena and have been Braves teammates since 2015.[30]

References

  1. ↑ Schultz, Jeff (February 14, 2014). "Braves’ signing of Teheran another risk worth taking". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  2. ↑ Ballew, Bill (December 15, 2010). "Atlanta Braves top 2011 prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  3. ↑ "2011 Top 100 Prospects: 1–20". Baseball America. February 23, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  4. ↑ Bowman, Mark (July 3, 2007). "Notes: Smoltz's next action unclear". MLB.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  5. ↑ Ballew, Bill (November 2, 2009). "2010 Baseball America Atlanta Braves top 10 prospects". Baseball America. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  6. ↑ Haller, Doug (July 10, 2011). "Former ASU star Jason Kipnis leads Team USA over Team World in All-Star Futures Game". Arizona Republic. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  7. ↑ Badler, Ben (July 10, 2011). "Prospects: Futures Game Superlatives". Baseball America. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Top prospect Teheran will make debut Saturday". MLB.com. May 6, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Ryan Howard's homer supports Kyle Kendrick as Phillies top Braves". Scores.espn.go.com. May 7, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Fredi reiterates Braves' praise for Teheran". MLB.com. May 8, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Ryan Roberts' hustle helps D-backs sneak by Braves in 11". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 18, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Teheran back to Minors; Asencio called up". MLB.com. May 19, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  13. ↑ September 3, 2011, by Carroll Rogers (September 3, 2011). "Delgado poised for third major league start". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Jones, Braves sweep Mets in doubleheader". New York Post. September 8, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  15. ↑ J.J. Cooper and Matt Eddy (September 16, 2011). "2011 Minor League All-Star Team". Baseball America. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  16. ↑ "2012 Top 100 Prospects". Baseball America. February 21, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  17. ↑ Remington, Alex (June 6, 2013). "Julio Teheran: From Prospect Fatigue to Potential Ace?". Fangraphs. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  18. ↑ Bowman, Mark (February 24, 2013). "Righty Teheran out to prove himself this spring". MLB.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  19. ↑ Rogers, Carroll. "Teheran comes four outs shy of no-no in victory over Pirates". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cox Media Group. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  20. ↑ Bowman, Mark (February 14, 2014). "Braves make six-year deal with Teheran". MLB.com. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Julio Teheran, Braves reach terms". ESPN.com. February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  22. ↑ Bowman, Mark (July 6, 2014). "Kimbrel, Freeman, Teheran named All-Stars". MLB.com. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  23. ↑ Morgan, Joe (July 2, 2014). "Teheran may not be able to pitch in All-Star Game". MLB.com. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  24. ↑ Bowman, Mark (July 7, 2014). "Teheran to attend All-Star Game, likely won't pitch". MLB.com. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Player Card: Julio Teheran". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  26. ↑ Bowman, Mark (August 17, 2014). "Fredi: Teheran's pickoff move best by righty". MLB.com. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  27. ↑ Vivlamore, Chris (August 17, 2014). "Teheran making those who stray off first base pay". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  28. ↑ O'Brien, David (September 7, 2014). "Teheran gets another pickoff, Fredi G a successful challenge". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Atlanta Braves - PlayerWatch". GlobalPost. Reuters. April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  30. ↑ Cunningham, Michael (April 13, 2015). "Jaime’s control issues cost him job with Braves". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved April 16, 2015.

External links

Preceded by
Starlin Castro		 Youngest Player in the
National League
2011 		Succeeded by
Jordan Lyles