Atlanta Braves Morning Chop Catch Up Edition

MLB Pipeline’s All-Defense Team

JIM CALLIS / MLB.COM

Second Base: Ozzie Albies, Braves
Most shortstops who move to second base do so because they lack something, but that’s not the case with Albies, who got pushed there by Dansby Swanson. Albies has the actions, quickness, hands and arm to be an asset at shortstop and exceptional at second base.

“He’s an electric athlete with plus range and a plus arm,” a second NL special assistant said. “He can be a plus defender at shortstop or an elite defender at second base.”

2017 Prospect Watch: Top 10 left-handed pitchers

JONATHAN MAYO / MLB.COM

4. Kolby Allard, Braves
A back issue allowed Allard to slide to the middle of the first round in 2015, much to the delight of the Braves’ scouting staff. Atlanta held him back until June last year and he really took off at the end of the season, pitching brilliantly as his Rome club won the South Atlantic League title. The gloves could come off in 2017.

9. Sean Newcomb, Braves
There is no question about Newcomb’s stuff, leading the Double-A Southern League in strikeouts in his first season with the Braves after coming over from the Angels in the Andrelton Simmons trade. His fastball-curve combination could get big league hitters out now, but he’ll need to show better command and control to reach his ceiling as a starter.

[ Ed. note:  Several things here:

• No Braves’ prospect made their RHP list, though Mike Soroka was said to be just outside their top 10.
• On the current MLB.com Braves prospects list, Newcomb is actually shown higher than Allard (3rd vs. 4th)
• Likewise, Ian Anderson is 5th over Soroka’s 7th… with Lefty Joey Wentz right behind in the 8th position.
• More on the Braves’ up-and-coming southpaw swarm can be read here. ]

Let’s Sell Some More Merchandise

Next: Braves Bring Back the Blaine Dealer

But of course!  Gotta sell more stuff.  That’s all for now… we’ll keep watching the news!