From beat writer David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution comes word that left-handed pitching prospect Manny Banuelos is lined up to make his major league debut this Thursday night against the Nationals and ace right-hander Max Scherzer.
Banuelos sat 13th on MLB.com’s ranking of the top 100 prospects back in 2012 when he was with the Yankees, but elbow problems -- Tommy John surgery, specifically -- sidetracked his rise.
The 24-year-old was traded to Atlanta this past winter for relievers David Carpenter and Chase Shreve.
Banuelos has rebuilt some of his early-career hype this summer with the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett, Georgia, posting 2.29 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 82 2/3 innings (15 starts).