This player preview was written by CB Wilkins, who can be found at dropout productions, and posts here as cbwilk. 
When he was first acquired, 23 year old Todd Redmond was a welcome addition, if for no other reason than his arrival coincided with the departure of much maligned reliever Tyler Yates. Redmond was coming off of a disappointing season for Class A Lynchburg in the Pirates chain, where he tied for the league lead in losses and a sharp rise in the number of hits, homeruns, and runs from his previous two seasons led to his ERA ballooning by nearly two runs. It seems the Pirates may have sold low, as that 2007 season looks like an anomaly sandwiched between his highly effective first two seasons with Short Season Williamsport and Class A Hickory and his bounce-back 2008 season with AA Mississippi. While his numbers didn’t return to his Single A levels, they were nonetheless impressive, as Redmond garnered the Southern League Pitcher Of The Year award while helping the team with their league championship.
Redmond is the definition of a pitcher, not a thrower. His fastball barely tops out at 90 MPH, and he relies on accuracy, pounding the strike zone with his fastball, curve, and changeup. His approach leans toward pitching to contact and allowing his defense to make outs. He is a smart pitcher who refuses to hurt himself by walking batters, amassing totals of just 21, 33, 36, and 33 walks over the course of his career.
If he were to reach his absolute potential, Redmond could be a fine, back of the rotation starter, yet his lack of overpowering stuff leads to him profiling best as a middle reliever. Even before all of the free agent signings, he had little chance to make Atlanta’s 2009 roster, so he will go to AAA Gwinnett’s rotation and add more innings and experience. Since he’s on the 40-man roster, he could find himself making a few spot starts for the Braves, but there are enough starters ahead of him on the depth chart that he seems an unlikely candidate for an extended stay in Atlanta’s rotation. Despite this, he should see time with the Major League Braves, and it’s possible that September could be his chance to audition for a 2010 bullpen spot.
A spot-on preview of Redmond, CB's always a good source of info for these minor league guys.
Photo by CB Wilkins.