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Atlanta Braves 2016-2017 Top 100 Prospects: Top Ten

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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8. Ian Anderson, RHP

When the Braves called his name #3 overall in the draft, many were wondering exactly how the Braves were this sold on Anderson’s stuff and pitches. By the end of the season, he was being considered as the #2 or #3 overall prospect from the 2016 draft class, in spite of being a fairly drastic underpay at the #3 draft selection.

Anderson turned 18 in May of this year, so he’ll open next year at 19 years old. He’s a guy who many were not very versed on pre-draft due to his injuries and illness in his spring season, so many didn’t see him throw much in the March/April time frame when most teams are scouting high schoolers heavily.

The Braves stayed in on Anderson, and they were at his May starts heavily, sending a number of guys from their draft prep meetings to an Anderson start at one point in late May. I began hearing from many scouts how impressed the Braves were with Anderson, and they were certain he would be going to the Braves at either #3 or #40.

Anderson’s fastball plays to an elite velocity, touching upper-90s with movement, and he throws an incredible change for a teenager. I’ve also seen and heard very good comments about his curve with both the change and curve receiving plus grades.

Anderson threw well at Danville and could certainly end up assigned to Rome to start 2017, and I’m quite eager to see how he handles the workload!

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7. Max Fried, LHP

Fried was returning from Tommy John this year, and it was going to be something to watch as he regained his velocity. He certainly gained all of his velocity back and then some. His top end velocity of 97ish MPH was there with bite, and some said he added velocity on his slider, giving it harder, more distinct break.

Adam Wainwright has said that in returning from TJS, a pitcher will regain his velocity in his first year back on the mound and his command in his second year back. Fried certainly regained his velocity and then some in 2016. 2017 should see that command.

Except that we already got a preview. As the season finished, Fried was on a tear, spotting his curve and slider in ways to generate a ton of swinging strikes. His final three starts of the season, Fried threw 16 2/3 innings, and while he did allow a 4.32 ERA, he also allowed only 5 walks and struck out 26 hitters, rates of 6.8% walk and 35.6% strikeout.

Then in the playoffs, Fried was called on to close out both the semifinal series and the championship series. Combined, he threw 14 2/3 innings, with a 1.23 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and a 4/24 BB/K ratio in the two starts. He was spotting his pitches with command that he’d not exhibited in June and July for certain.

Fried has legit ace-level stuff, but he is 22 and will be 23 in January, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s pushed up to AA to start 2017 to challenge him and push along his development.

Next: #6 & #5

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