Former Braves Prospect has Tommy John Surgery

Former Top 10 Lefty pitching prospect Ben Kozlowski who was traded to the Texas Rangers in the shocking deal that sent Andy Pratt to the Braves Organization will undergo Tommy John surgery after posting a mediocre 5.48 ERAin Double-A for Texas this year.

Former Atlanta Braves prospect Ben Kozlowski (12th round pick in the 1999 draft), now ranked the third best prospect in the Texas Rangers system by Baseball America, will be out for the next 9 to 12 months after having Tommy John surgery late Friday afternoon as well having two bone spurs removed from his left arm.

Kozlowski, who was traded to the Rangers in April of 2002 for pitcher Andy Pratt, was off to a poor start this season. Despite have 3 wins and only 2 losses, Kozlowski had a 5.48 ERA and an astronomical 1.81 WHIP. He also only struck out 29 batters in 54 innings.

The trade of Kozlowski for Pratt wasn't initially welcomed with open arms by Braves fans, though many have changed their opinions of the deal after an excellent spring. Pratt is currently 4-3 with a 2.32 ERA and has 68 strikeouts in 65 innings in AAA Richmond.