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How the 2017 MLB Draft Class Fits The Atlanta Braves

By Benjamin Chase

January 14, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; High school pitcher Hunter Greene during the USA Baseball sponsored Dream Series at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
January 14, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; High school pitcher Hunter Greene during the USA Baseball sponsored Dream Series at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Draft Class

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After the 5th pick, the Atlanta Braves also possess the #41 pick and #80 pick in the top 100 picks of the draft. That isn’t anything like the depth of picks they had last season, but with the international guys they signed in 2016 making their debuts in GCL/Danville this year, there just isn’t the room for a ton of picks on those squads.

This is another reason why you could definitely see the Braves taking a financial chance with either their second or third round pick to get an expensive guy and start picking “senior sign” types early to make it work financially.

The 2017 MLB draft class certainly is weighted much more heavily in the college realm. While there are a collection of guys that will fit in the first round or so, the depth of talent in the college class is much deeper this year than the high school class.

I did a depth piece on the college class for the other site I write for, Call To the Pen, and I’ll be doing one on the high school class this week if you’d like to take a look at those for more general information.

Based on what I’ve seen in the class, some of the guys that could be interesting if they fall to the Braves could certainly include Ramos. The Braves also have an affinity for guys who have a background of either playing multiple sports or excelling as hitters and pitchers, whether they use them as a hitter in the system (Austin Riley) or a pitcher (Joey Wentz and Kyle Muller).

Some of the guys who fit that dual-role profile in high school this year include Greene, Jordan Adell, Nick Pratto, Hagen Danner, Joe Perez, and Sam Carlson. College guys include Brendan McKay and Adam Haseley.

I’d also look for the Braves to focus on a college guy with a big bat this year in the 3rd through 5th round, especially if they spend big in the 2nd round. I’d initially have said Brent Rooker was a good guy to consider there, but his monster performance for Mississippi State has likely boosted him to even first round consideration.

What could be interesting is if the Braves could capitalize on a guy dropping from early-season consideration, like J.J. Schwarz, or capitalize on what I am finding to be an undervalued catching class, including my personal favorite, Daulton Varsho of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Next: Braves Minor League Database

There are a number of ways the Braves COULD go in June’s MLB draft, but where do you think they should go? Feel free to comment!

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