Yean Carlos Gil

While Gil has been slow getting off the ground as a professional -- he hasn't advanced past the Low-A level in his five seasons in the minors -- he showed enough in 2014 to warrant protection from the Rule 5 draft. In his age-23 campaign, Gil went 7-6 with 3.35 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 126.1 innings at Low-A Rome, with a 2.16 ERA in his final five outings. He struggled with his control in 2012, but has issued just 37 free passes over the last two seasons (176 innings), and he was outstanding against lefties in 2014 (.220 BAA, 40:6 K:BB). The Braves may be inclined to keep him in the rotation for the time being given their lack of quality pitching depth, but Gil's long-term role may very well be as a lefty specialist. Regardless, Gil figures to spend most, if not all, of 2015 in the minors, presumably at High-A Carolina, with a September callup to the majors likely a best-case scenario.