Atlanta Braves Prospects: Re-visiting my Favorite List
The Atlanta Braves Farm System is EXCITING!
There’s going to be so many prospects very soon that it’s going to be pretty doggone overwhelming to keep up with a list.
I’ve been very outspoken about my favorite prospect guru over the last few years, and I really do love what John Sickels over @MinorLeagueBall has done for all that follow the minors. In our time today, I will look back at his list for 2016, discuss who lost/gained ground or stayed the course, look at a few removals either due to graduating prospect status or poor performance, add some new names to the list, then finally re-submit a new top prospects list.
Remember, this is solely my opinion and what’s great about prospect lists is that everything is debatable and should make for good conversation in the comments. Without further adieu, let’s get this thing rolling with the original list with was published Valentine’s Day, 2016 followed by a quick analysis on the prospects’ new status
Next: Progress Checking
Atlanta Braves 2016 Prospects List according to Minor League Ball
John Sickels’ original write-up on these players can be found here.
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- Dansby Swanson– Has hit a hiccup at AA, but overall numbers across 2 levels keep his A-prospect status in check. A
- Sean Newcomb– Inconsistencies at AA and an increased BB rate likely takes a little gloss of the grade. From A-/B+ to B+
- Aaron Blair– graduated from prospect status
- Hector Olivera– graduated from prospect status, but… well, you know.
- Kolby Allard– Not enough stats to support a move up, and poor small sample stats could suggest a step back. I’ll keep it same: B+
- Ozzie Albies– Has struggled at AAA, but just getting moved their as a 19 y/o combined with his numbers at AA upticks his grade half a letter: From B+ to A-
- Austin Riley– Bat has came around a lot this last month but the 32.5% K-rate is worrisome. From B to B-
- Lucas Sims– there’s really no way to spin it positively, Sims is getting pounded at AAA. There’s a term out there for hitters called “Three true outcomes”. This signifies that the batter will either walk, strikeout, or hit a homerun. Sims has been a 3 true outcomes pitcher and that’s tough to swallow. From B to B-
- Mike Soroka– Jumped a level, stats got better! He’s the crown jewel thus far in growth and looks to be a steal from last year’s draft. From B to B+
- Touki Toussaint– Touki’s last outing was impressive and his upper velocity fastball was back in full effect. However, he’s repeating a level and his overall numbers still look ugly. Lots of promise, but it hasn’t matched production. From B/B- to B-
- Mallex Smith– graduated from prospect status
- Tyrell Jenkins– Blame the Braves for this one as moving a starting pitcher to a reliever equates to buying a new car and driving it off the lot for the first time; they both immediately lose value. Tyrell’s traditional numbers are good, but his peripherals suggest he’s been lucky. However, like Julio Teheran, he might be a guy that consistently outperforms his peripherals due to inducing weak contact. From B- to C+
- Zachary Bird– Likely falls off prospect lists as he just can’t stop walking people. A 2.20 WHIP at high-A suggests that no matter the stuff he is just not worthy of top prospect status. Keep him in your back pocket for now. From B- to removed from list
- Braxton Davidson– turning it around lately, but overall numbers have been poor and a BABIP of .341 doesn’t suggest he’s been unlucky. From B-/C+ to C+
- Max Fried– He’s back from Tommy John and that’s really the only reason why Max was rated so low. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 2 outings and the walk-rate is dropping. Very encouraging. From B-/C+ to B
- Ronald Acuna– Kid is going to be something special. The injury has knocked him down a bit, but his prospect status was growing due to his great overall game. From B-/C+ to B
- John Gant– graduated from prospect status
- Chris Ellis– The stuff still doesn’t jump off of the board but Ellis does nothing but put up good start after good start. Looks destined to be a back-end workhorse. From C+ to B
- Manny Banuelos– Health really puts his future in question, but the talent is still there. His prospect status already took a hit last year so I think his grade stays. C+
- Josh Graham– An obvious under the radar guy here but destined to be a back-end reliever. That’s AWESOME, but only at high-A, it doesn’t carry much prospect weight. Grade stays. C+
- Juan Yepez– Not hitting as much in Rome as he was in Rookie Leagues but there’s not enough statistics to bump him down or up. Grade stays. C+
- Lucas Herbert– Healthy and offensively turning a curve but still not enough accrued time to make a sound judgment up or down. Grade stays. C+
- Rio Ruiz– Has rebounded from his poor 2015, but is still far from an elite prospect. His BABIP suggests some luck Grade stays. C+
- Andrew Thurman– Numbers have dropped across the board after the move to AA last year likely causing him to lose “prospect” status. Removed from list
Recapping the 2016 List
Of the 24 that made Sickels’ list, 4 have graduated from prospect status (Mallex, Olivera, Gant, Blair), and 2 are likely removed from the list (Bird and Thurman), leaving 18 prospects from last year’s list.
This next part will not discuss newly drafted players nor the International Prospect pickups likely coming in a few weeks, rather the players within the organization who could replace the 6 guys mentioned above. Let’s start out at Gwinnett and Mississippi!
Next: Stepping Up?
Gwinnett Braves Prospects
Bradley Roney – Seems to be on the fast track to the majors with a doozy of a fastball, but needs to harness his control in order to take the next step. Roughed up in his first forays with Gwinnett. He could slot in at the back-end of this list, late 20s. Grade: C+
Mississippi Braves Prospects
Dustin Peterson– Having a great year and showing some real power in a league that sucks power out of bats. A big move up in my opinion and could slot in at the 15-20 spot behind Chris Ellis. Grade: B-
Rob Whalen – Was thought to be the big get in the Kelly Johnson/Juan Uribe trade but had double knee surgery last year which put him on the shelf pretty much right at the acquisition causing all prospect gurus to turn their heads to John Gant. Now that he’s back, there’s a reason that he had the “big get” tag as he’s throwing really well for Mississippi and will likely get a promotion soon. He could slot in right behind Dustin Peterson in the 15-20 spot. Grade: B-
Akeel Morris – Big arm acquired in this year’s version of the Kelly Johnson trade, he’s a back-end bullpen guy in the waiting. He likely slots in right behind Rob Whalen in the late teens. Grade: B-
Mauricio Cabrera – with a respectable ERA and a lowering walk rate, “Cannon” Cabrera could join Akeel at the back end of a bullpen if improvement continues. He likely slots in front of Bradley Roney on this list. Grade: C+
Next: How 'bout Carolina and Rome now?