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Atlanta Braves Midseason Top 50 Prospects: 21-30

By Benjamin Chase

May 25, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Rio Ruiz (14) throws to first base but is unable to make the out in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Rio Ruiz (14) throws to first base but is unable to make the out in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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28. Ray-Patrick Didder, OF, Florida Fire Frogs

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It is appropriate that the video of Didder is of an exceptional defensive play. Even when he’s struggling with the bat, his glove is so exceptional in the outfield that he is viable at this position.

Originally signed as a shortstop out of Aruba as an “older” signee, Didder struggled at the position over his first two seasons, showing exceptional range at short, but struggling tremendously with his hands at short.

The Atlanta Braves moved Didder to the outfield in 2015, and I got a report that winter from a scout that told me that I needed to get on board with Didder as he was the best defender he’d seen in the outfield on the season at any minor league level, and it was just his first year in the outfield.

The Braves intended to use Didder’s exceptional range and elite arm in right field in Rome in 2016, but when Ronald Acuna was injured early in the year, Didder slid over to center field and was incredibly good. You would think that teams would have learned by now not to run on Didder after 19 assists with Rome, but he has 10 outfield assists already this season.

Didder has not had the best showing at the plate this season, still flashing his double-plus speed, with elite defense, but his bat has been challenged in the Florida State League, and his solid contact bat has been struggling to make consistent contact, striking out at a 25.9% rate after never topping 20% before in his minor league career. Overall, he’s hitting .209/.326/.299 on the year with 7 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, and 17 stolen bases.

Interestingly, Didder has played a handful of games each at second base and shortstop, so the Braves could be working to create an elite defensive super sub with exceptional defense.

27. Bryse Wilson, RHP, Rome Braves

When the team grabs three high school arms with its first three picks in a draft (all within the first 50 overall picks of the draft), it’s easy to lose perspective on the quality of another prep arm drafted just in the 4th round.

Wilson had arguably the most successful senior season of any high school pitcher in the 2016 draft with no-hitters galore within the year. He seemed to take that success into his time with the GCL Braves after being drafted, making 9 appearances, 6 of them starts, throwing 26 2/3 innings, allowing a 0.68 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 8/29 BB/K ratio.

The Braves moved the 19 year-old righty to Rome for the 2017 season, and he’s simply been arguably the best-performing pitcher outside of Mike Soroka in the entire Atlanta Braves organization. On the season, he’s made 15 starts, throwing 74 2/3 innings, allowing a 2.65 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 20/71 BB/K ratio.

Wilson’s change up will determine his future as a starter or reliever, but his fastball/slider combo, along with his bulldog mentality on the mound will serve him well as he develops that pitch.

Next: 26, 25

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