Atlanta Braves Minor League Review – Rome Braves Hitters
Atlanta Braves Minor League Review: Rome Braves
The Rome Braves finished the season with a rough record, but there was an impressive amount of talent that took the field in Rome this year. Today, we’ll focus on the hitters:
Infielders
Considered by some the top prospect in the Braves’ system coming into the year, Ozhaino Albies did nothing but prove those praising his skills right. Albies spent the season at 18 years old, and the switch-hitting shortstop from Curacao put up a very solid .310/.368/.404 line on the season. Albies made an appearance in the Futures Game during All-Star week, and reportedly made quite an impression. Albies has blazing speed, and his 29 steals and 8 triples showed plenty for Braves fans to be excited about. Sadly, Albeis’ season was ended by injury, but Braves fans will probably be going to Carolina to see him in 2016.
Luke Dykstra was a 7th round selection in 2014 out of high school in California. The infielder is the son of Lenny Dykstra, and he’s shown some of his dad’s abandon for his own safety on the field, which has led to time missed for injury. After starting solid at Danville, Dykstra was promoted to Rome and did nothing but rake. His final combined line was .318/.353/.422, but his line in Rome was .348/.378/.478. Dykstra only had 223 at bats on the season over 58 games. He did not hit a single home run and only stole 3 bases, but he showed very solid gap power, rapping 19 doubles and 2 triples, including a tremendous 10 doubles and a triple over 92 at bats in Rome. Dykstra has primarily played 2B so far, but due to his injury issues, it’d be likely he’s starting again at Rome, but continued hitting like he did this year would make a move to Carolina a mere formality.
Omar Obregon was signed before 2012 from Nicaragua. He’s moved up step by step through the system, but he found a niche in 2015 hitting second behind Albies. His final line was .274/.336/.317, which likely doesn’t inspire much, but Obregon was noted many times for his willingness to sacrifice and hit to a side in order to move a runner along. While he did lead the team in stolen bases, Obregon also only had a success rate of 62%, which is quite poor, especially for a guy allowed to run 50 times in a season. Obregon may not turn into a big leaguer, but he’s got defensive skills and speed that could lead him to a solid career as a backup if he can keep making solid contact.
Luis Valenzuela was acquired by the Braves from the Royals in the Jonny Gomes trade. Valenzuela was signed before 2012 by the Red Sox, but he was then oddly released June 25th of that year. Kansas City picked him up that November and he’s been in their system since, just getting to A ball this year. While Valenzuela’s line of .365/.387/.506 for the season would spark plenty of intrigue on its own, he really sparkled after the trade – .429/.455/.619 in 21 at bats. Valenzuela is 22 and a lefty bat, but he’s shown the ability to play around the infield already, and he’s got power and speed, having hit 5 home runs and stolen 9 bases this year. Valenzuela will likely get a bump to Carolina this year, and he will be interesting to watch going forward.
Next: Rome Outfielders
Jul 12, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; World Team infielder Ozhaino Albies hits during batting practice before the All Star Futures Game with the U.S. Team at Great American Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielders
Leudys Baez‘s final stat line in 2015 may not inspire many to write glowingly about him, but there’s not a much more talented player in the Braves system based on pure raw ability. Baez was a signee over this offseason out of the Dominican Republic. An 18 year-old upon signing, he has very unrefined tools as he was not from one of the major academies the Dominican is well-known for. Baez hit tremendously well in Danville in his first experience in the US, but he struggled in Rome. His overall line was .267/.289/.408 with 5 home runs and 6 stolen bases. The biggest concern is his patience at the plate, as evidenced by his 6/61 BB/K ratio for the entire season. Baez is in his first exposure to pro ball, and he had times watching him where he looked like he knew every pitch coming, but he’d also struggle with good breaking stuff. He’s definitely a work in progress, but the talent is there, and with his ability to switch hit and play passable center field defense.
Joseph Daris was a 14th round selection in 2014 from Azusa Pacific University. The 23 year-old swings from the left hand side, and he plays a competent, if not spectacular, center field. Daris’ season line was .272/.336/.396 with 4 home runs and 23 stolen bases and 12 triples. Daris has a good amount of speed, but he’s a better base runner than base stealer, though his 23/7 SB/CS ratio isn’t anything to sneeze at. Daris may end up being nothing more than an org guy, filling an outfield spot for the team for years before going on, but guys like Daris turn into a guy like Angel Pagan now and then, and that would certainly be valuable.
Braxton Davidson was the Braves first-round selection in 2014, and he’s always been praised for two things – his eye and his power. Davidson was one of few Braves minor leaguers to hit double-digit home runs with 10 on the season. Davidson’s biggest negative coming into the season was where he would possibly fit on the defensive spectrum. After seeing him a number of times in right field, I would have no worries about him long-term in right field, especially with his arm. He is a better athlete than many would guess, though he struggles with success on the base paths (1 steal in 7 attempts). The final numbers were .242/.381/.374 with a 84/135 BB/K ratio. The strikeouts are a worry, but all along, Davidson has been billed as a “three true outcomes” type of player, with a walk, strikeout, or power as the typical outcomes of a plate appearance. He’s shown tremendous ability so far for a guy who just turned 19 in June. I’d expect he’ll start in Carolina next year to keep pushing his ability.
Stephen Gaylor was a young guy who grew up in Rome, so playing for the Braves in Rome was really a dream come true. Gaylor has a ton of speed, but his instincts on the base paths could use some work. Gaylor is 23 and hits from the left side. His final line in the minors this year was .286/.379/.353. For a guy with minimal power, Gaylor will have to excel on defense and on the base paths in order to realize his full value, but his 17/11 SB/CS rate this year showed what anyone watching him saw, which was a guy with a ton of raw talent, but some work needed to refine that talent. Gaylor has an eye, speed, and defense, and he could really make some big strides if he could hone his ability on the base paths.
We’ll look at the Rome pitchers on Monday!