Atlanta Braves: Identifying Tradable Organizational Surplus
By Ryan Cothran
Atlanta Braves Organizational Depth Chart
Frontline (#1-2 ceiling) RH Starting Pitchers
The term “pipeline” rings true here: where there’s a bulge in the pipe ready to burst, that’s where there’s surplus.
Frontline (#1-2 ceiling) LH Starting Pitchers
Mid-Back Rotation (3-5 ceiling) RH Starting Pitchers
- Matt Wisler
- Aaron Blair
- John Gant
- Rob Whalen
- Williams Perez
- Chris Ellis
- Max Povse
- Matt Withrow
- Bryse Wilson
- Josh Graham
- Wes Parsons
- Luis Gamez
Mid-Back Rotation (3-5 ceiling) LH Starting Pitchers
Catchers
- Tyler Flowers
- Anthony Recker
- Joe Odom
- Kade Scivicque
- Lucas Herbert
- Brett Cumberland
- Jonathan Morales
- Tanner Murphy
- Ricardo Rodriguez
- Matt Foley
First Base
Second Base
Third Base
Shortstops
Outfield
- Matt Kemp
- Ender Inciarte
- Nick Markakis
- Mallex Smith
- Dustin Peterson
- Connor Lien
- Braxton Davidson
- Keith Curcio
- Ronald Acuna
- Ray-Patrick Didder
- Leudys Baez
- Justin Ellison
- Isranel Wilson
- Randy Ventura
- Cristian Pache
Just to reiterate: this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but one that should be sufficiently complete for discussion purposes.
In my opinion, organizational surplus doesn’t just mean “Braves have a ton of prospects so they can trade some of them”. As suggested by a title given to MLB’s prospect list, the term “pipeline” rings true here: where there’s a bulge in the pipe ready to burst, that’s where there’s surplus.
But it’s not just the quantity, rather it’s the developmental level as well. If many are on the same developmental level, then VOILA! Surplus.