Baseball America Reveals Top 10 Braves’ Prospects

This morning, Baseball America has unveiled its take on the best of the Braves’ prospects.  That list, with their discussion, can be seen here.

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The takeaway that I see from their writeup is exactly what we’ve been looking at this Fall:  that the Johns Triumvirate – Schuerholz, Hart, and Coppollela – is committing itself to build the Atlanta Braves future from within first – rebuilding the scouting and the in-the-field researchers necessary to produce a steady pipeline of high-quality prospects.

Every new hire brings with him a deep commitment to building from within, beginning with president of baseball operations John Hart, who as general manager of the Indians guided them to two World Series appearances in the mid-’90s. Hart’s new special assistants to the GM include former Yankees scouting guru Gordon Blakeley and prodigal son Roy Clark, who guided the Braves’ scouting efforts for nearly a decade in the 2000’s before stints with the Nationals and Dodgers.

This continues to be good news for fans:  it’s one thing for us to say it.  It’s quite another for the BA.com folks to say it, since they are immersed in baseball prospects on a 24/7/365 basis.

Their List

• Jose Peraza.  Second baseman of the (near) future.  Completed a standout year at the AA level in 2014.  Lots of speed, defense, and on-base potential.  Needs to walk a bit more, but speaks toward his future as a perennial lead-off hitter.
• Lucas Sims, RHP.  Passed up by Peraza, but that’s not a knock.  Methodically working his way up through the system.  A+ ball in 2014, did not dominate as he did in Low-A (2013), though significantly increased innings (to 157).  Will be 21 in the Spring.  Likely heading to Mississippi for 2015.
• Christian Bethancourt, C.  A little surprised that he’s actually on this list still, but no matter.  His workload at the majors will increase… how much depends on what happens with Evan Gattis.  CBeth still tends to be a little sloppy at times, resulting in too many passed balls.  If he can fix that concentration level, then we’ll be quite happy with his defense.  Should eventually hit enough as well.
• Jason Hursh, RHP.  An uneven 2014 at AA Mississippi – some excellent outings, some forgettable ones.  If he can be more consistent in 2015, then he’s an option for a spot start in 2015 or the regular rotation in 2016.
• Ozhaino Albies, SS.  Ozzy had a crazy-good 2014 in rookie ball.  Like hitting around .370 with 22 steals in limited action (57 games).  That’s why he appears on this list out of nowhere – nice to see BA giving him this love, too.
• Braxton Davidson, OF.  Just drafted out of high school in 2014, so adjusting to wood bats and life as a (barely 18 year old) pro.  Let’s see what the next couple of years bring, but he’s also the best/only real OF prospect in the system.
• Tyrell Jenkins, RHP.  Back from injury in a big way, he pitched very well in the Arizona Fall League.  Plucked from the Cardinals in the Jason Heyward trade.  Probably will see AA action in 2015… could rise rapidly.
• Johan Camargo, SS. Almost 21 years old and just finished 2014 with a callup to Lynchburg.  Honestly don’t know enough about him, but he would not have been in my own top ten.  At least not yet.
• Garrett Fulenchek, RHP. Another 2014 draftee; another 18 year old.  Too soon to discuss in detail, but definitely has the look of a kid you’d want on the mound for you.  Like Davidson, still just getting started as a pro.
• Kyle Kubitza, 3B.  Breakout year at AA for Kyle – defense is an issue, but his bat should continue to develop.  High walks, high strikeouts, but when he swings, he does so with purpose and drives the ball well to all fields.  One of those rare plate approaches that might actually play better as he moves up (better umpiring, better pitches to hit).

Quibbling

It’s hard – and dangerous, admittedly – to argue with Baseball America, but I will risk that a little bit:

• I would put Jenkins higher – probably swapping him with Hursh.  This has as much to do with Jenkins’ prior status as a former Top 2 Cardinals prospect as anything else.  Once he’s proven to be healthy, I don’t know that anyone will argue the point.
• I would drop Camargo and insert Arodys Vizcaino.  Vizzy was likewise once a top Braves prospect before his Tommy John surgery.  We thank the Cubs for lending us Paul Maholm and Reed Johnson while he rehabbed that.  But he’s back now and should compete for a major league bullpen slot come Spring.  So yes:  we have prospects that I like to call “Ozzy” and “Vizzy”.

Your mileage may vary, so let’s hear your thoughts on this list!