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Atlanta Braves 2016-2017 Top 100 Prospects: 31-40

By Benjamin Chase

Apr 4, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; The teams lineup and the flag is pulled across the outfield prior to the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; The teams lineup and the flag is pulled across the outfield prior to the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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40. Braulio Vasquez, SS

This spot will likely surprise a lot of people and be a brand new name to many others. Vasquez was part of this year’s international signing crop, though he technically could have been signed last summer, as he was 16 as of April of 2015.

Vasquez went straight to DSL once he was signed and simply was the best player on the team from the moment he arrived until the end of the season. He finished with a line of .333/.416/.374 with 11 stolen bases and an 11/22 BB/K over 113 plate appearances.

In talking with those who have seen him, Vasquez has incredible range, but he has an arm that is average with rough accuracy that makes it play down. However, those who saw him at second base absolutely raved about him there, so he could have a future position already, though he does have the range to handle short if needed.

The big thing about Vasquez is that he has a frame that you can dream on with a 70 to 80 grade on his speed. He has a contact tool that received grades ranging from 55 to 65 from those who saw him, and one scout told me that he’d put a 55-60 on future power for Vasquez.

What’s that all translate to?

Essentially, if Vasquez hit his ceiling in those tools, he would be a guy who could hit .290-.300 with 15ish home runs and 30 steals at an up the middle position. That would be the absolute elite of the elite in offensive production for those positions. Add in that he’s considered a very good defender at 2B, and that’s a big-time prospect.

Obviously, we’re talking about a kid that will still be 17 when the season opens in 2017, so there are a wide range of directions that his career could go from here, but to say that his first impression was positive would be putting it lightly.

He’ll likely be placed in GCL to start 2017.

Feb 22, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Ellis fields the ball during spring training workouts at ESPN
Feb 22, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Ellis fields the ball during spring training workouts at ESPN /

39. Chris Ellis, RHP

Ellis is an Alabama native that attended Ole Miss before being drafted in the 3rd round by the Angels in the 2014 draft. After reaching AA in his first full season in the minor leagues in 2015, Ellis was widely considered to be the Angels’ #2 prospect behind Sean Newcomb.

Ellis was acquired with Newcomb in the deal that traded away shortstop Andrelton Simmons. The Braves sent Ellis to AA, as the AAA rotation was full at that time.

Ellis responded with excellent statistics, though with unimpressive visual results. Ellis had a 2.75 ERA with Mississippi in 13 starts, throwing 78 2/3 innings with a 1.13 WHIP and a 35/61 BB/K ratio. Ellis allowed only 54 hits, but he seemed to not have a clue where his pitches were going, but AA hitters continued to bail him out.

The Braves promoted Ellis to AAA Gwinnett, and that lack of control continued while the hitters were much more disciplined. The results were pure disaster.

Ellis’ final line was 6.52 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, and a 52/65 BB/K ratio over 67 2/3 innings across 15 starts, so he threw 2 more starts in AAA, but threw 11 less innings due to how badly he was being beaten up by AAA hitters.

In the winter, I did a review of Ellis when he was acquired, and I noted that Ellis was an emotionally reactive pitcher. He was notable in the games I reviewed in responding negatively whenever he got the short end of a close call or any such situation. He would press, and then he’d end up losing his release point, and thus, his control.

Ellis has stuff that when he is on top of it can play very well, especially his low-90s fastball that can touch 95-96 with a lot of movement based on his grip. His curve is an average offering that runs in the mid-70s, but his better off-speed option is his change that sits in the low-80s and has similar ability to manipulate for considerable movement.

Ellis was a reliever until mid-way through his draft season at Ole Miss, and I wonder if his future is there again. I had a concern about his mechanics last winter, and they didn’t seem to get any better during the season. When he’s on, he can throw a 7-inning, dominant outing, but that’s so rare for him to hold his mechanics that long that I just think the bullpen is his future.

Ellis will likely be given the chance to start again with Gwinnett to open 2017. He’s 24 at this point, so he’s not young by any means, so this is probably his last shot to work as a starter. If he doesn’t make it there, his build, arm strength, and stuff would immediately make him a very intriguing bullpen piece.

Next: #38 & #37

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