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Atlanta Braves Mock Draft Monday, Version 4.0

By Benjamin Chase

Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers first baseman Pavin Smith (10) hits an rbi single during the fifth inning against the Vanderbilt Commodores in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers first baseman Pavin Smith (10) hits an rbi single during the fifth inning against the Vanderbilt Commodores in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Braves Mock Draft Monday: The Braves’ Picks

5. Royce Lewis, IF/OF, California HS

Lewis is arguably as large a talent as you could possibly find in this year’s class. Jon Heyman reported this week that the Braves were specifically on Lewis in a recent California trip. Lewis has the elite defensive skills to stick up the middle, though his arm will likely lead to him either moving off of short in the end and toward second base (if he stays in the dirt) or out to center field.

Lewis’ best skill is his speed for sure, but he is an advanced athlete that could be a guy with good power to go along with that speed and the bat skills to post good contact numbers as well.

I’ve been told that the Braves have been very interested in a number of California prep players, but that Lewis and Nick Pratto have been getting a lot of Braves attention in California.

You may notice that I rarely give the Braves the same pick twice in mocks over the course of draft season, mainly because I want to play out the guys that would be available if one player was picked, but also because in this season’s class, there is a significant amount of depth in the class without a lot of surety about who should be slotted where within about #4 through about #25-30 in the class.

Round 2, Pick 41 overall: Hagen Danner, RHP/C/IF

In this scenario, the value would be in prep pitching at this spot, though Danner brings in the value of a bat that is a worthy pick. Some worry about his funky delivery as a full-time pitcher, but Danner certainly has the stuff to work as a starter.

Danner was considered a legit first round prospect as a hitter as well, working as a catcher in show case season, but playing primarily infield in tourney play to keep his legs fresh for the pitching his team needed from him in tournaments. He could work well on the infield, but he has legit skills behind the plate that could develop into a high-end defensive catcher.

I had one scout tell me that he could see Danner developing akin to Carson Kelly defensively as a catcher. However, the offensive profile for Danner is more of a power over anything else profile. He likely profiles as a .250-.270 hitter with big power if his current tools keep projecting forward as they sit.

Rest of Draft

I mentioned in the first mock that the Braves do have pretty loaded rookie league teams, so it’s possible that they go in heavy in their first few picks, then go for signability picks soon in the draft rather than waiting until the 5th-6th rounds to start that process.

Going after two guys with strong talent levels out of California will likely eat up significant bonus pool. That will lead to a likely injured player or under slot guy in the 3rd round and 4th round before going to the point of signability picks through the 10th round.

I’ve noted a few scouting trips recently of upper level Braves brass, including one for high school players in Florida and another doing some scouting of college and high school players in the northeast.

Florida has a deep prep class that could intrigue in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th rounds. The northeast could be a very odd mix, though, as in the BA top 200, there are a small amount of players, like outfielder Quentin Holmes of New York and prep righty Matt Tabor from Massachusetts, that are even top-50 type of players.

Next: Braves Minor League Database

What would be your thoughts on this situation? Leave a comment below!!

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