The greatest Brave to wear #62 is the hardest throwing pitcher in Atlanta Braves history: Mauricio Cabrera.
Signed by the Braves on the international market in 2010, Cabrera spent years in the minors tantalizing scouts with an 80-grade fastball (at least in terms of velocity), but no idea of where it was going. At AA Mississippi in 2016, things suddenly clicked, and after 33.2 innings of 3.21 ERA at the level, Atlanta decided to utilize his newfound control at the MLB level for as long as it lasted. In 38.1 MLB innings, he had a 2.82 ERA and picked up 6 saves. More interestingly, he routinely hit triple digits on stadium radar guns.
It’s not very often you can see a 103 mph fastball, so here you go:
In 2017, he walked 45 batters in 43 minor league innings. Needless to say, he’s not on the cusp of a return to the big leagues. Still, as long as that fastball is hitting 103, he’ll keep getting opportunities to work out his control issues in the minors.
Honorable Mention
David Hale, for this:
And this:
What an incredible way to start a career. It wouldn’t be that good again, but what an exhilarating beginning. These were Hale’s only two appearances as #62, as he would switch numbers for the 2014 season.
Who Was The Best #62 Ever?
Jose Quintana has made his career in Chicago, pitching the last nine seasons with a 3.73 ERA for the White Sox and the Cubs for 1495 innings, making the 2016 All-Star team for the Sox.
In some alternate universe, Quintana would have been a New York guy. He signed as a 15-year-old amateur with the Mets out of Columbia in 2006. However he violated the Minor League’s drug policy and was suspended for the 2007 and then released. He was picked up by the Yankees and got as far as the high-A level before becoming a minor league free agent. The White Sox swooped in and signed him in 2011 and by 2012 he was making starts in the majors.
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