Tomahawk Take’s Top 20 Atlanta Braves Prospects: Just Missed
Just Missed Prospects
First we’ll look at the first five that missed the list – TT’s #21-25 prospects:
Ronald Acuna
Acuna was signed by the Braves in the July 2014 international class. He was our closest prospect to the top 20, and he’s been getting a ton of comments nationally. The Braves started him in the GCL starting at 17 years old and he worked his way to Danville. Overall, he put up a line of .269/.380/.438 with 22 extra base hits and 16 stolen bases in 201 at bats. Acuna spent most of his time in center field in 2016, and he’s got good range to stay in center for the time being. Acuna will likely start 2016 in extended spring, then to Danville, and very possibly finish his 2016 as an 18 year-old in Rome.
Daniel Winkler
The Rule 5 draft pick last offseason was coming back from Tommy John Surgery, and he didn’t make his first appearance with Atlanta until September 21st. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League, but due to the requirements of the Rule 5 draft, Winkler will have to stay in Atlanta or they will have to return him to Colorado. While he was a very successful starter in Colorado, he will be working out of the bullpen with Atlanta until he gets that requirement met, then he could be shipped to Gwinnett to resume starting, though he is already 26 years old.
Lucas Herbert
Lucas Herbert was the Braves’ top pick Kolby Allard’s battery mate in high school. Known to have an excellent defensive reputation, Herbert was selected in the 2nd round by the Braves. He only got to play 3 games and have 4 at bats before badly injuring his knee. The Braves have reported no long-term concerns with the injury, though a knee injury for any position would be an issue, but a catcher even more so. He’ll likely get to start out at the GCL squad once he’s healthy and work his way up from there.
Juan Yepez
Yepez was the Braves big signing in the 2014 international class that has netted some big names already, getting a $1 million signing bonus. The Braves started the 17 year-old in the U.S. at their GCL team this year, and he produced well enough to get a promotion to advanced rookie Danville to finish the season. All told, his slash line of .299/.364/.458 looks quite solid, though there are concerns that Yepez may be restricted to first base only and that he struggled to a 6/29 BB/K ratio in 103 Danville at bats, so there’s still some work to do. He will start either back at Danville or up at Rome to start 2016.
Next: Ones To Watch
Zachary Bird
The big minor league arm acquired in the July trade with the Dodgers, the Jackson, Mississippi native was bumped up to AA to pitch in front of local fans for the M-Braves. He struggled in his three starts with Mississippi before succumbing to injury. Many have seen the hard-throwing righty as a future bullpen ace, but the Braves insist he’ll be working as a starter. It’d not be surprising to see him head to Carolina as part of his recovery to get back on his feet before taking the first opening in Mississippi’s rotation.