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Is This Atlanta Braves ‘Rebuild’ Working Yet?

By Josh Brown

Atlanta Braves 18 year old Rookie third baseman Austin Riley was named to MLB Pipeline's list of the top ten third base prospects in baseball.Screencap created by Fred Owens for Tomahawk Take
Atlanta Braves 18 year old Rookie third baseman Austin Riley was named to MLB Pipeline's list of the top ten third base prospects in baseball.Screencap created by Fred Owens for Tomahawk Take /
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Mar 3, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (78) throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb (78) throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

That Was the Superficial Good News

I saw something on Twitter today that made me spew my coffee across the room. It gave me an instant panic attacked. It was so sad and so depressing that I almost had to drive to my mom’s house in Alabama. One of the Braves fans I follow, @Sheffield1022, decided to completely ruin my day and point out the fact that the Braves farm system (as a whole) is not doing so great in the offensive category. Not only are they not doing so hot, but they’re basically at the bottom of the barrel.

The above stats are from Rome, Carolina, Mississippi and Gwinnett thru June 2, 2016.

Now, since I do have the pleasure of covering my hometown Rome Braves for AllOnGeorgia, I knew that some of our guys have been struggling at the plate, but you know, it’s the minors and that’s going to happen. I’m aware of Austin Riley’s batting average, but I still think he’ll be good and I do like to remind folks that Riley was scouted by every other team as a pitcher, so being an offensive third baseman is still new to the young man.

Now, if our farm system was, say, in the middle or even slightly below average in every offensive category I would not be writing this. But this is unfortunately not the case.

And not only are they at the bottom of the barrel – They’re at the bottom in an organization that has been deemed by Keith Law as the best farm system in ALL OF baseball.

So, when your team’s farm system which has been ranked #1 by Keith Law is at the bottom of almost every offensive category, then this conversation needs to be had. It just does. I want to ignore it, but goodness gracious. Look at Wes’ tweet.

Am I still excited about Dansby, Albies, Jenkins and Soroka? Absolutely. Do I still think this organization is headed in the right direction? I do. I really do.

Listen, I know it’s only June right now. And I promise you, there are guys I’m covering in Rome right now like Luke Dykstra and Matt Custred and Ray-Patrick Didder who I believe will be Major League stars.

Next: The Atlanta Braves Offensive Offense

But if the collective offensive production over the first two months of 2016 is any indication of this ‘Atlanta Braves rebuilding process’, then the Atlanta Braves must ask themselves, “Are we doing the right things, and making the right moves? And more importantly, do we have the right coaches in place at every level to be the best farm system in baseball?”

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