Anthony Lerew

Lerew missed all of 2007 after Tommy John surgery and came back in July to throw 37 innings at Triple-A with mediocre results. Lerew struggled with his control (just a 22:20 K:BB ratio) which isn't surprising for someone coming back from ligament transplant surgery. He should begin 2009 at Triple-A and could be an option for the Braves' rotation later in the year. However, he never had overpowering stuff or great control before the surgery, so we're not too high on his chances to make a significant impact.

Lerew underwent Tommy John surgery in July and will miss almost all of 2008.

Lerew entered 2006 as one of Atlanta's top pitching prospects, but an inconsistent season makes his role for 2007 uncertain. After almost making the team in spring training with talk of him as a darkhorse candidate to win the closer job, Lerew had a roller-coaster season. He started the year at Triple-A but was demoted to Double-A after a slow start and a back injury. After getting his mechanincs on track, he was 6-3 with a 2.51 ERA in his last 13 starts after being promoted again to Triple-A with a 67:14 K:BB ratio. However, he had a poor AFL with more walks than strikeouts. He'll compete for a bullpen job this spring, but may need more time at Triple-A. He could develop into a nice back-of-the-rotation starter if he can duplicate his second-half revival, but we'd like to see more strikeouts or a little better control before we get too excited.

An 11th-round pick in 2001, Lerew has made steady progress through the Atlanta organization without much hype before last season and is now considered one of the organization's top pitching prospects. He has good command of three pitches and had a decent 122/60 K/BB ratio in 156 innings between three levels last season. He'll compete for a bullpen job this spring, but may need more time at Triple-A. He could develop into a nice back-of-the-rotation starter, but we'd like to see more strikeouts or a little better control before we get too excited.

An 11th-round pick in 2001, Lerew hasn't been thought of as a top prospect but keeps posting solid numbers. His upside isn't high, but he could emerge as a productive big league pitcher.