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Atlanta Braves Mock Draft Monday, Version 4.3

By Benjamin Chase

Jun 14, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; Louisville Cardinals right fielder Corey Ray (2) catches the fly ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during game two of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Vanderbilt won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; Louisville Cardinals right fielder Corey Ray (2) catches the fly ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during game two of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Vanderbilt won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; American team Carter Kieboom (22) is greeted by Joey Wentz (17) after scoring a run against the National team during the first inning in the Under Armour All America Baseball game at Wrigley field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; American team Carter Kieboom (22) is greeted by Joey Wentz (17) after scoring a run against the National team during the first inning in the Under Armour All America Baseball game at Wrigley field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves Mock Draft Monday: The Braves’ Picks

3. Mickey Moniak, OF, California HS

Moniak has widely been considered the best pure hitter in the entire draft. He’s got a great swing from the left side, as pretty as you could ever ask to see. While he doesn’t generate a ton of power now, it’s entirely possible that he could be a guy who hits 10/15 home runs and explodes balls into the gaps with reported huge exit velocity.

Moniak is an incredible defender, with some of the most natural center field routes seen in many years. He’s just not a guy who will likely steal 50 bases or hit 25 home runs, so he’s gone under the radar to some degree as guys with louder tools get more publicity. As the draft nears, some word is coming out that Philadelphia could take a stab at Moniak at #1 to save some big money, but that’s not the case in this mock.

The Braves have been out to see Moniak a number of times this spring, so they definitely are fans, but with Lewis also on the board, I’m not sure if they would actually go for Moniak, but he’d be a great fit into the system’s emphasis on outfield defense, and I believe he could move just as quickly to the majors as Lewis does.

40. Joey Wentz, LHP, Kansas HS

The Braves are working with a handful of high school arms that have some high demands, and that is what predicated the move to get another competitive balance pick. Wentz is one of the top of those names, and there is some talk that Wentz and his good friend Riley Pint may package themselves together to a team, and the Braves are certainly big fans of Pint, so we could see a package of those two with 3/40.

Wentz has been considered at times since last summer as the #2 pitcher in the entire class behind Groome, and he’s got an incredible frame at 6’5 and 210 pounds. He has a fastball that has been seen up to the mid-90s this season, which is a big deal from the left side. Wentz was also a respected prospect as a first baseman, but he’s focused on pitching this season, but like Austin Riley, the Braves could also have something up their sleeves with moving him into a hitting role again.

I have heard a number of possible pitching names, but Wentz is the one that worked in this draft, so he’s who ended up here, but there are a few high school guys that the Braves are working to secure a deal with now that they have the extra money from the #76 pick.

Next: Who Is Left?

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