Ryan Cusick's path to the Braves was once powered by late-night PB&Js and chocolate milk.
Cusick wasn't always the flamethrower he is today. His fastball floated in the mid-80s before it ascended to the low-90s earlier in his collegiate career at Wake Forest. Cusick now tops at 102 mph thanks to his resolve.
The Braves selected Cusick in the first round (No. 24 overall) of the 2021 draft. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound righty made six starts for Low-A Augusta afterward, posting a 2.76 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings. He looked the part of a first-rounder, perhaps one who should've been selected sooner.
