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Atlanta Braves 2016-2017 Top 100 Prospects: 11-20

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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20. Kyle Muller, LHP

Muller was the Braves 2nd round selection out of Texas high school this summer. He was actually seen by a number of teams as a guy who may go to college and turn into a better hitter after college than a pitcher, but the Braves saw him as a pitcher and were willing to sign him now for that purpose.

Muller came out with GCL, and he threw tremendously well, posting a 0.65 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 12/38 BB/K ratio over 27 2/3 innings. He was incredibly dominant against GCL hitters throughout the season, getting lots of guys swinging and missing on his stuff.

In high school, Muller had a record 24 straight strikeouts, and he did that with improved stuff from the summer showcase circuit, hitting low 90s with an over the top pitching motion where he throws a bit across his body. Muller has a slurvy breaker that he’s still working to sharpen, but his change plays very well off the fastball currently.

Muller is huge for a guy straight out of high school, sitting at 6’6, 225 pounds, so his over-the-top fastball gets great plane downward on hitters, making it very difficult to drive.

Muller needs work on his breaking stuff, but his fastball/change is already a very solid combination, and he has the size to be very effective down the line. I’d wager he’ll open 2017 with Danville and move quickly if he continues progress on his breaking pitch.

Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves infielder Rio Ruiz (32) in the dugout before a game against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves infielder Rio Ruiz (32) in the dugout before a game against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Rio Ruiz, 3B

Ruiz was one of the youngest players in AAA this season, yet he was one of the better players for a Gwinnett team that ended up in the International League championship. For emphasis on just how young Rio was for AAA, he only had 9 plate appearances the entire season against pitchers who were younger than he was.

Ruiz was acquired (among others) by the Braves in the trade that sent Evan Gattis to Houston (among others). Drafted out of high school in California, he had moved quickly up in the Astros system, and he had just played in the Arizona Fall League that fall before being acquired.

Ruiz struggled in his first season with the Braves organization in 2015 both at the plate and in the field. He had a rough BABIP attack early in the year, but he did some work with his swing in 2015 that really started to bear fruit in the last month and a half of the season.

Defensively, Ruiz has a tremendously different appearance in 2016 than 2015. I had some serious questions last year whether he would be able to continue at third without some major work at the position. Sure enough, he did exactly that, trimming off some bad weight and really working hard on his defense.

Ruiz is not still going to be a Gold Glove third baseman, but he has worked himself to the point where he is an above average defender with good range and definitely solid arm. His biggest advance was in his hands at third. He still has average to below-average instincts at the position, but he’s worked hard to improve those as well.

Ruiz has a smooth swing that he’s worked to add some loft finish to. That took a singles swing to at least a gap power swing. I do believe he’s got the natural strength that could lead to a 20+ homer guy, but I think he’s more likely to be a guy who hits .280 with 35+ doubles and 15ish home runs.

The big concern I still have with Ruiz at this point is the splits he has, and his swing has actually brought this out more. He had an .834 OPS against right-handed pitchers and .522 versus lefties. This is something still to work on, but he has made significant progress in his approach against lefties from a visual/scouting view, but the results haven’t shown up yet, so that could be coming.

Ruiz will likely be given an opportunity to work at third base in Atlanta whether that’s as the solo third baseman or in the strong side of a platoon with Adonis Garcia.

Next: #18 & #17

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