Atlanta Braves 2018 MLB Draft day open thread

The MLB Draft starts in a few minutes, this is the place to cuss and discuss the Atlanta Braves choices and everything that goes on tonight.

The Atlanta Braves select eighth and opinions are splits about who they’ll choose. Earlier this afternoon I wrote about Nolan Gorman and Carter Stewart swapping places as favorites but the Braves have a way of surprising us.

Few thought Kyle Wright would  be their first choice last time and no one knew who Mike Soroka was when the Braves grabbed him.

Ian Anderson, Kolby Allard and Austin Jackson came from recent drafts and landed immediately on the Braves top prospect lists.  This year’s selectees might well make a similar impact on the team’s future.

"The Braves worked out South Alabama outfielder Travis Swaggerty r…Swaggerty slashed .296/.455/.526 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs . . .drew 53 walks and stole nine bases. He’s lauded for his defense and speed."

While not as immediately impactful as the drafts in other sports, the MLB draft selects more players giving them the opportunity to be a star even if they haven’t quite fulfilled their potential.

Buckle up Braves fans the fun begins shortly

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Atlanta Braves select Carter Stewart RHP  Eau Gallie High School, Melbourne FL

Stewart is 6’6” 200 pound righty with a three pitch arsenal including a 97-98 mph heater and a low 80s  curve with an average 3317 rpm spin and an occasional change that’s been pretty good in a small sample size.

Baseball America called his curve “other worldly.”

MLB Pipeline Scouting Grades:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

The hook is about 58 second into the video

That would be pretty good huh?

Another look at the Stewart Hook

Atlanta Braves select Grayson Jenista

Jenista is a 6’4″ 220 pound first baseman outfielder who Baseball America ranked #29 and MLB PIpeline ranked #58.

MLBPipeline Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Jenista has a goo hit tool and led Wichita State in hitting during his first two years. He has good zone recognition and consistently walks more than he strikes out. Looking at him you’d expect massive power numbers but he’s yet to convert  that potential power in game production.

According to the Baseball Cube, his three years at Wichita State produced a .318/.430/.487/.917 line with 23 home runs in 604 PA.

He started as a first baseman and played outfield in the Cape Cod league even showing some time in center but he looks like a corner outfielder/first baseman.