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Two Atlanta Braves SS Prospect Among MLB Pipelines Top Ten

By Fred Owens

Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) reacts after the game against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Final at TD Ameritrade Park. Virginia defeated Vanderbilt 4-2 to win the College World Series. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) reacts after the game against the Virginia Cavaliers in game three of the College World Series Final at TD Ameritrade Park. Virginia defeated Vanderbilt 4-2 to win the College World Series. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Braves prospect Ozzie Albies was named MLB Pipeline's number 10 shortstop to watch in 2016.
Braves prospect Ozzie Albies was named MLB Pipeline’s number 10 shortstop to watch in 2016. /

Albies Seeing You at Pearl

Ozzie Albies who comes in at  number ten on the list  is another product of the Andruw Jones influence in Curacao. Other teams ignored Ozzie because he’s small but the Braves gave him $35oK to sign and are glad they did. He was the top prospect in his rookie league in 2014 at age 17 slashing .356/.429/452/.881 at Danville and followed that up with a .310/.368/.404/.707 line at Rome last year.

Ozzie’s game is about getting on base and using his speed. Baseball America ($) quoted scouts as raving about his energy and tools.

"A natural top-of-the-lineup batter who should hit for a high average, Albies has a quick swing with plus bat speed from both sides of the plate. He stays inside the ball and makes consistent contact with his superior hand-eye coordination, yet he’s strong enough to drive the ball from gap to gap. His strike-zone judgment is far beyond his years, and he keeps the ball out of the air in order to take advantage of his plus speed."

When the Braves traded Jose Peraza to the Dodgers everyone assumed that Albies would eventually form a partnership with his fellow countryman Andrelton Simmons. Then Simmons was traded speculation had him headed to shortstop. The arrival of Swanson once again makes his future appear to be at second base.

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