Julio Teheran is long on potential, and at 23 he is stepping into his own as a starting pitcher. That's why the Atlanta Braves on Friday announced their six-year, $32.4 million contract extension with the second-year hurler.
Teheran, 23, comes off a breakout 2013 season in which he was 14-8 over 30 starts. He was fourth in NL rookie of the year balloting. The deal runs through 2019, according to Atlanta's WZGC-FM. There is a club option for 2020.
"I feel happy, excited," he told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "Now that I know my family is taken care of, I can go out and relax and try to have fun. But it's not going to change the kind of pitcher I am."
In a release announcing the deal, GM Frank Wren called Teheran "one of the best young pitchers in the National League" and a core player for the Braves' future.
If he stays on course, Teheran could make the Braves look smart for this decision. He agreed to bypass two years of free agency, and the deal is worth about $5.4 million a year over the first six seasons. That could be a great value.
The option reportedly is for $12 million in 2020 with a $1 million buyout.
Teheran is from Colombia. His repertoire includes a fastball, curve and changeup delivered with control.
The Braves now have long-term deals with key players done in the past two weeks. Freddie Freeman is locked into an eight-year, $135 million accord. Outfielder Jason Heyward heads to camp with two-year, $13.3 million pact.
Those are three smart decisions, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports. Chipper Jones has retired, and Tim Hudson and Brian McCann are gone, making it imperative the Braves secure their best young players.
The big payoff on Teheran comes if he becomes a top-two starter. Kris Medlen is in the discussion of top Braves starter. Wren believes Teheran will deliver.
"We've been impressed with his approach, his make-up and his maturity," Wren said Friday as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. "He's made great strides and we also saw him rise to the occasion in the biggest moments. It gave us confidence that he had the makeup and maturity to be a player we can count on for a long time."
Also from the AJC: If Wren, as expected, continues to lock up his talented young players, look for pitcher Mike Minor and shortstop Andrelton Simmons to be next on his list.