Victor Vodnik

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #14 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: The Braves liked Vodnik's natural arm strength in high school and signed him for $200,000 as a day three pick in the 14th round in 2018. He showed flashes in the lower minors but struggled in 2021 in his first challenge at Double-A, where control and injuries, including a forearm strain and blisters, limited him. He moved to a full-time reliever role in 2022 and had the best pro season of his career, posting a 2.34 ERA between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett.
  
  Scouting Report: A short and strong righthander, Vodnik primarily worked with a two-pitch mix in 2022 as a reliever. He throws a plus fastball around 95-96 mph that touched 99 and has earned plus or better grades internally and externally. The pitch comes at hitters with a flat approach angle, though it is a lower-spin fastball with below-average carry and 12.5 inches of induced vertical break. His firm, upper-80s changeup has terrific, plus-plus movement with sink and run and was a bonafide swing-and-miss pitch during the 2022 season (33% whiffs). He will tip the pitch at times with a different arm slot, and he also needs to learn how to throw it more consistently for a strike. Feel for spin has been a challenge for Vodnik dating back to his prep days, but the Braves are working to establish a short slider/cutter for him to have a third pitch that can be thrown for strikes and offer a different look.
  
  The Future: Vodnik is more stuff-over-pitchability and how his command improves will determine whether he becomes a higher-leverage reliever or not. For now, he profiles as a low-leverage, groundball-inducing reliever.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Slider: 35. Changeup: 60. Control: 40.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #23 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Braves took a shot on Vodnik’s natural arm strength out of high school, despite plenty of rawness to his game, and signed him for $200,000 in the 14th round. He pitched well in his first full season in 2019, but struggled with Double-A Mississippi this year, and also dealt with a forearm strain and blisters that limited him to 33.2 innings.
  
  Scouting Report: While Vodnik had some bright spots in the Arizona Fall League, his struggles largely carried over in his 23.2 innings there as well. Vodnik is a short righthander with a three-pitch mix led by an easy plus fastball that sat 95-96 and has been up to 100 mph. He also throws a firm changeup in the upper 80s and a slurvy slider in the low 80s. The former looked like his best secondary this season and features plenty of arm-side running action. The breaking ball has been crude going back to his prep days and is a question mark moving forward. After showing solid control during his first two years, Vodnik walked 14.7% of the batters he faced this year.
  
  The Future: Vodnik will look to get back on track next year, where scouts will look to see if his regression in control was health-related or an accurate reflection of his skill in putting the ball over the plate. He projects as a reliever moving forward.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #19 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Vodnik was the first player drafted out of Rialto (Calif.) High since Ricky Nolasco in 2001. He was plenty raw, but the Braves signed him for an above-slot $200,000 because of his natural arm strength. After a rough pro debut, Vodnik posted a 2.93 ERA in 23 appearances for low Class A Rome in 2019, working mostly in long relief. The Braves brought him to the alternate training site late in 2020 and included him in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Vodnik is undersized but strong. He fires an above-average fastball that sits at 94 mph and touches 98. His breaking ball is slurvy, looking more like a slider some days and like a curveball on others. He shows natural ability to spin the ball, but developing a more consistent shape will be key moving forward. Vodnik made progress with a changeup that previously lacked consistency at the alternate site. He'll need a reliable third pitch if he wants to start. His control was a question mark when he was drafted, but he's kept his walks reasonable so far in his pro career.
  
  THE FUTURE: Vodnik likely ends up a hard-throwing reliever. Some believe he might be able to start.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #14 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Vodnik impressed as a high schooler thanks to his natural arm strength. The Braves took a shot on him in the 14th round of the 2018 draft and signed him for an above-slot $200,000 bonus despite the crude nature of his game. After a rough pro debut, Vodnik dominated in 2019 at low Class A Rome.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: An undersized but strong righthander, Vodnik had a strong season with low Class A Rome where he went right after hitters with a plus fastball that touches 96-98 mph, but sits in the 94-95 range. The pitch has some cutting action at times and he pairs it with a slider and changeup that both flash plus, but lack consistency. Vodnik's slider varies in shape and sits in the 83-85 mph range, while he showed a better changeup—an 87-89 mph offering with tumble—than he has in the past. Vodnik's delivery is still raw and presently below-average, which could impact his control and consistency moving forward.
  
  THE FUTURE: Most scouts see Vodnik as a reliever with late-inning upside. He performed well enough that some think he should get a chance to start, especially with a three-pitch mix that's becoming more viable.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #238 prospect in 2018 draft
  No pitcher has been drafted out of Rialto (Calif.) High since Ricky Nolasco in 2001. Vodnik is about to change that. The quick-armed, 5-foot-11 righthander popped up at the WWBA World Championships last fall throwing 95 mph and scouts stayed on him all year. Vodnik is raw and undersized, but his arm strength is undeniable. He sits at 92-93 mph and holds it well, and he touched 96 mph in the spring. His slider is self-taught and a little crude, but he flashes some above-average offerings at 84-87 mph. Vodnik received little development or coaching in Rialto, a poverty-stricken area with little baseball infrastructure, so he doesn't repeat his arm slot or release point and he needs a lot of coaching to smooth out his delivery. Vodnik is committed to Cal State Northridge but expected to sign. He projects as a two-pitch power reliever.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: The Braves liked Vodnik's natural arm strength in high school and signed him for $200,000 as a day three pick in the 14th round in 2018. He showed flashes in the lower minors but struggled in 2021 in his first challenge at Double-A, where control and injuries, including a forearm strain and blisters, limited him. He moved to a full-time reliever role in 2022 and had the best pro season of his career, posting a 2.34 ERA between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett.
  
  Scouting Report: A short and strong righthander, Vodnik primarily worked with a two-pitch mix in 2022 as a reliever. He throws a plus fastball around 95-96 mph that touched 99 and has earned plus or better grades internally and externally. The pitch comes at hitters with a flat approach angle, though it is a lower-spin fastball with below-average carry and 12.5 inches of induced vertical break. His firm, upper-80s changeup has terrific, plus-plus movement with sink and run and was a bonafide swing-and-miss pitch during the 2022 season (33% whiffs). He will tip the pitch at times with a different arm slot, and he also needs to learn how to throw it more consistently for a strike. Feel for spin has been a challenge for Vodnik dating back to his prep days, but the Braves are working to establish a short slider/cutter for him to have a third pitch that can be thrown for strikes and offer a different look.
  
  The Future: Vodnik is more stuff-over-pitchability and how his command improves will determine whether he becomes a higher-leverage reliever or not. For now, he profiles as a low-leverage, groundball-inducing reliever.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Slider: 35. Changeup: 60. Control: 40.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium
  
  Track Record: The Braves liked Vodnik's natural arm strength in high school and signed him for $200,000 as a day three pick in the 14th round in 2018. He showed flashes in the lower minors but struggled in 2021 in his first challenge at Double-A, where control and injuries, including a forearm strain and blisters, limited him. He moved to a full-time reliever role in 2022 and had the best pro season of his career, posting a 2.34 ERA between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett.
  
  Scouting Report: A short and strong righthander, Vodnik primarily worked with a two-pitch mix in 2022 as a reliever. He throws a plus fastball around 95-96 mph that touched 99 and has earned plus or better grades internally and externally. The pitch comes at hitters with a flat approach angle, though it is a lower-spin fastball with below-average carry and 12.5 inches of induced vertical break. His firm, upper-80s changeup has terrific, plus-plus movement with sink and run and was a bonafide swing-and-miss pitch during the 2022 season (33% whiffs). He will tip the pitch at times with a different arm slot, and he also needs to learn how to throw it more consistently for a strike. Feel for spin has been a challenge for Vodnik dating back to his prep days, but the Braves are working to establish a short slider/cutter for him to have a third pitch that can be thrown for strikes and offer a different look.
  
  The Future: Vodnik is more stuff-over-pitchability and how his command improves will determine whether he becomes a higher-leverage reliever or not. For now, he profiles as a low-leverage, groundball-inducing reliever.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65. Slider: 35. Changeup: 60. Control: 40.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: The Braves took a shot on Vodnik&#39s natural arm strength out of high school, despite plenty of rawness to his game, and signed him for $200,000 in the 14th round. He pitched well in his first full season in 2019, but struggled with Double-A Mississippi this year, and also dealt with a forearm strain and blisters that limited him to 33.2 innings.
  
  Scouting Report: While Vodnik had some bright spots in the Arizona Fall League, his struggles largely carried over in his 23.2 innings there as well. Vodnik is a short righthander with a three-pitch mix led by an easy plus fastball that sat 95-96 and has been up to 100 mph. He also throws a firm changeup in the upper 80s and a slurvy slider in the low 80s. The former looked like his best secondary this season and features plenty of arm-side running action. The breaking ball has been crude going back to his prep days and is a question mark moving forward. After showing solid control during his first two years, Vodnik walked 14.7% of the batters he faced this year.
  
  The Future: Vodnik will look to get back on track next year, where scouts will look to see if his regression in control was health-related or an accurate reflection of his skill in putting the ball over the plate. He projects as a reliever moving forward.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Braves took a shot on Vodnik’s natural arm strength out of high school, despite plenty of rawness to his game, and signed him for $200,000 in the 14th round. He pitched well in his first full season in 2019, but struggled with Double-A Mississippi this year, and also dealt with a forearm strain and blisters that limited him to 33.2 innings.
  
  Scouting Report: While Vodnik had some bright spots in the Arizona Fall League, his struggles largely carried over in his 23.2 innings there as well. Vodnik is a short righthander with a three-pitch mix led by an easy plus fastball that sat 95-96 and has been up to 100 mph. He also throws a firm changeup in the upper 80s and a slurvy slider in the low 80s. The former looked like his best secondary this season and features plenty of arm-side running action. The breaking ball has been crude going back to his prep days and is a question mark moving forward. After showing solid control during his first two years, Vodnik walked 14.7% of the batters he faced this year.
  
  The Future: Vodnik will look to get back on track next year, where scouts will look to see if his regression in control was health-related or an accurate reflection of his skill in putting the ball over the plate. He projects as a reliever moving forward.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Vodnik was the first player drafted out of Rialto (Calif.) High since Ricky Nolasco in 2001. He was plenty raw, but the Braves signed him for an above-slot $200,000 because of his natural arm strength. After a rough pro debut, Vodnik posted a 2.93 ERA in 23 appearances for low Class A Rome in 2019, working mostly in long relief. The Braves brought him to the alternate training site late in 2020 and included him in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Vodnik is undersized but strong. He fires an above-average fastball that sits at 94 mph and touches 98. His breaking ball is slurvy, looking more like a slider some days and like a curveball on others. He shows natural ability to spin the ball, but developing a more consistent shape will be key moving forward. Vodnik made progress with a changeup that previously lacked consistency at the alternate site. He'll need a reliable third pitch if he wants to start. His control was a question mark when he was drafted, but he's kept his walks reasonable so far in his pro career.
  
  THE FUTURE: Vodnik likely ends up a hard-throwing reliever. Some believe he might be able to start.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Vodnik was the first player drafted out of Rialto (Calif.) High since Ricky Nolasco in 2001. He was plenty raw, but the Braves signed him for an above-slot $200,000 because of his natural arm strength. After a rough pro debut, Vodnik posted a 2.93 ERA in 23 appearances for low Class A Rome in 2019, working mostly in long relief. The Braves brought him to the alternate training site late in 2020 and included him in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Vodnik is undersized but strong. He fires an above-average fastball that sits at 94 mph and touches 98. His breaking ball is slurvy, looking more like a slider some days and like a curveball on others. He shows natural ability to spin the ball, but developing a more consistent shape will be key moving forward. Vodnik made progress with a changeup that previously lacked consistency at the alternate site. He'll need a reliable third pitch if he wants to start. His control was a question mark when he was drafted, but he's kept his walks reasonable so far in his pro career.
  
  THE FUTURE: Vodnik likely ends up a hard-throwing reliever. Some believe he might be able to start.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Vodnik was the first player drafted out of Rialto (Calif.) High since Ricky Nolasco in 2001. He was plenty raw, but the Braves signed him for an above-slot $200,000 because of his natural arm strength. After a rough pro debut, Vodnik posted a 2.93 ERA in 23 appearances for low Class A Rome in 2019, working mostly in long relief. The Braves brought him to the alternate training site late in 2020 and included him in instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Vodnik is undersized but strong. He fires an above-average fastball that sits at 94 mph and touches 98. His breaking ball is slurvy, looking more like a slider some days and like a curveball on others. He shows natural ability to spin the ball, but developing a more consistent shape will be key moving forward. Vodnik made progress with a changeup that previously lacked consistency at the alternate site. He'll need a reliable third pitch if he wants to start. His control was a question mark when he was drafted, but he's kept his walks reasonable so far in his pro career.
  
  THE FUTURE: Vodnik likely ends up a hard-throwing reliever. Some believe he might be able to start.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Vodnik impressed as a high schooler thanks to his natural arm strength. The Braves took a shot on him in the 14th round of the 2018 draft and signed him for an above-slot $200,000 bonus despite the crude nature of his game. After a rough pro debut, Vodnik dominated in 2019 at low Class A Rome.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: An undersized but strong righthander, Vodnik had a strong season with low Class A Rome where he went right after hitters with a plus fastball that touches 96-98 mph, but sits in the 94-95 range. The pitch has some cutting action at times and he pairs it with a slider and changeup that both flash plus, but lack consistency. Vodnik’s slider varies in shape and sits in the 83-85 mph range, while he showed a better changeup—an 87-89 mph offering with tumble—than he has in the past. Vodnik’s delivery is still raw and presently below-average, which could impact his control and consistency moving forward.
  
  THE FUTURE: Most scouts see Vodnik as a reliever with late-inning upside. He performed well enough that some think he should get a chance to start, especially with a three-pitch mix that’s becoming more viable.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Vodnik impressed as a high schooler thanks to his natural arm strength. The Braves took a shot on him in the 14th round of the 2018 draft and signed him for an above-slot $200,000 bonus despite the crude nature of his game. After a rough pro debut, Vodnik dominated in 2019 at low Class A Rome.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: An undersized but strong righthander, Vodnik had a strong season with low Class A Rome where he went right after hitters with a plus fastball that touches 96-98 mph, but sits in the 94-95 range. The pitch has some cutting action at times and he pairs it with a slider and changeup that both flash plus, but lack consistency. Vodnik's slider varies in shape and sits in the 83-85 mph range, while he showed a better changeup—an 87-89 mph offering with tumble—than he has in the past. Vodnik's delivery is still raw and presently below-average, which could impact his control and consistency moving forward.
  
  THE FUTURE: Most scouts see Vodnik as a reliever with late-inning upside. He performed well enough that some think he should get a chance to start, especially with a three-pitch mix that's becoming more viable.