House That Hank Built
Fansided

Tomahawk Take’s Top 20 Atlanta Braves Prospects: #5-1

By Benjamin Chase

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
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
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 /

4. Ozhaino Albies

– by Fred Owens, Tomahawk Take Staff Writer

Scouting Report

More from Tomahawk Take

Ozzie is probably the best thing Frank Wren ever did for the Braves farm system; a narrow field to choose from I admit but Albies is special. The young man from Curacao grew up wanting to be Jose Reyes and possessed everything needed to be better than Reyes except size. Teams who couldn’t see past his lack of home run potential and small stature – he’s generously listed as 5’9” and 150 pounds – ignored him and the Braves connection with that small island nation allowed them to snag him for mere $350K.

He was the youngest player in full season Minor league ball in 2014 at age 17 but became the top prospect in the rookie league slashing .356/.429/452/.881 at Danville. In 2015 he moved to Rome and continued to impress earning a selection to the Futures Game at age 18 and making his presence known by singling off of highly touted Reds prospect Amir Garrett. He finished 2015 having appeared in 98 games with a .310/.368/.404/.707 line and stealing 29 bases in 37 attempts.

Scout scores for Albies vary. In general he seems to grade out as a future Hit: 65 – Power: 30 – Run: 65 – Arm: 55 – Field: 65 – Overall: 50

He’s regarded as having great hand-eye-coordination and a short, quick bat with the ability to barrel up the ball giving him a plus hit tool but without much pop. While he might run into one now and then his swing and mechanics are designed to maximize his on speed by getting him on base. Once on base his double-plus speed will give catchers fits and pitcher’s nightmares once he hones his instincts and learns to read pitchers more effectively.

Last year the switch hitting Albies saw 72% of his 439 PA from the right side of the plate where he tends to be a more aggressive hitter. His tendencies are pretty easily seen in his splits.

ozziesplits2015
ozziesplits2015 /

2016 Projection and Future

Defensively his soft hands, excellent range, plus arm and quick release give him the ability to stick as a major league shortstop or at second base where he’s likely to end up as a double play partner for Dansby Swanson. with plenty of range for second base or shortstop. Albies is a high energy guy with a positive attitude who presence when he arrives will change the lineup significantly. At 19 years old and with only 98 games played above rookie ball he needs to develop and improve in many areas but he has time to do that with Jace Peterson and Gordon Beckham on hand to man the keystone until he arrives.

In an interview with Wayne Cavadi last August he spelled how he hopes his major league debut will go.

"“I want to get on base, try to steal second and third, produce runs and help our team win. I want to get on base everyday, hopefully twice.”."

Next: Prospect Number 3

Fans watching spring training will get a taste of Albies this season but barring a setback I expect he’ll spend 2016 exciting the fans at Pearl and at least the first half of 2017 at Gwinnett. ASs it stands today there is absolutely no reason to rush him to the majors making 2018 his most probable arrival as a full-time major leaguer.

Home/Braves Minors