House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves Top 100 Prospects In Review

By Benjamin Chase

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Mar 12, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (86) throws in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (86) throws in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

New Atlanta Braves Prospect Acquisitions

More from Tomahawk Take

The Braves acquired the #1, 3, 4, 19, 20, 57, 86, and 90 prospects this offseason, which is an incredible haul for a poor system, but if you consider that the Braves added those players into an already-solid minor league system, it’s an incredible haul.

Swanson and Blair came over in the Shelby Miller deal and now rank #1 and #4. The Braves got tremendous value in that trade. Swanson has a tremendous amount of projection just months after being the #1 overall pick in the June draft. Blair is knocking on the door of the majors and could be a very good pitcher, with a very high floor and still upside on top of that incredible floor as well.

When the Braves traded Andrelton Simmons, they moved the best defensive shortstop in the game, and they picked up the #3 and #19 prospects on my list in the deal. While I don’t think many will argue on where I place Newcomb, there may be some surprised by where I have Ellis. I watched a number of starts for my write up of Ellis, and I’ve watched a couple more since. I just think his high regard may have come from being a big fish in a shallow pond in the fairly devoid Angels system where he and Newcomb were nearly the only legit prospects left in the system. He’s got some solid pitch ability, don’t get me wrong, but I think if he’s got any sort of elite upside, it’d be as a reliever, as he’s a likely a #4 starter if he remains in the rotation, which isn’t a bad thing either, just not where he’s been getting ranked in a number of other lists.

Kelly and Rodriguez were acquired when the Braves moved Christian Bethancourt, and I think the Braves could have really gotten a steal in both. Rodriguez has elite defensive upside, but he’s very raw and will likely need to climb up the system one step at a time to let the bat develop. Kelly had a very up and down season statistically, but there was a lot of good things to like on tape, and I think the Braves can work with him to build something for sure.

Rutckyj was the Rule 5 pick, and he’ll have to stick as a LOOGY in the bullpen to stay with the squad.

Next: Risers Up the List

Ramirez was acquired by the Braves for a player to be named later, who has been named now as Ryne Harper. Ramirez has some real stuff, and I think you’ll enjoy the write-up on him coming this week. He’s in his third year in a transition to the bullpen, and he’s got the sort of stuff that could become an impact arm in the bullpen.

Home/Braves Minors