Atlanta Braves: Where have all the prospects gone?!
Players the Atlanta Braves have traded
Brett Cumberland, C, Baltimore Orioles – A switch-hitter with power, many thought the Braves would move Cumberland to another position once he got into the system, but instead, he’s primarily played behind the plate, taking some time in the outfield, but his bat has encouraged many, including me, as I had him ranked #29 in the system coming into 2018. He’s struggled with the Orioles’ AA club, hitting under .150 so far, though just in 7 games.
Jean Carlos Encarnacion, 3B, Baltimore Orioles – Very raw, but very talented, Encarnacion was a final cut in the list before the 2017 season, a guy I mentioned in my “other names to know” section before jumping all the way up to #23 this offseason due to his incredible performance in 2017. Encarnacion is still very raw, with plenty of discipline issues to work through, but the ceiling is very high – akin to former top prospect Edward Salcedo.
Akeel Morris, RHP, Los Angeles Angels – Acquired in one of the seemingly annual Kelly Johnson trades with the Mets, Morris showed himself to have one of the best changeups in the entire Braves system. Before the 2017 season, I ranked him #47 in the system, and before the 2018 season, he was ranked #30. He was traded April 3rd to the Angels. He’s been between AAA and the majors this year, but he’s struggled quite a bit.
Tanner Murphy, C, San Francisco Giants – An advanced defender behind the plate with a power stroke and a good eye, Murphy had struggled to make contact and fell behind a number of other catchers in the system. The Braves traded him in early May to San Francisco, and he’s been playing between high-A and AAA, but he’s not been able to hit for contact with the Giants this year. Murphy was ranked as high as #39 (before 2017) in my system rankings.
Evan Phillips, RHP, Baltimore Orioles – Relievers don’t typically rank well for me as minor league relievers typically don’t fare well in the major leagues, but Phillips had ranked in the top 100 for me while he was with the Braves before exploding in his performance this year. He’s had a rough go of it with the Orioles in his first few appearances.
Lucas Sims, RHP, Cincinnati Reds – Sims was one of the elite prospects in the system at one point, a former first-round pick. He was the #7 prospect in the first top 100 list on Tomahawk Take. After struggling to define his role in Atlanta, Sims heads to Cincinnati, and he’s already had success with their AAA club, posting a 3.31 ERA and 0.74 WHIP over his first 3 starts with an impressive 3/19 BB/K ratio.
Bruce Zimmermann, LHP, Baltimore Orioles – Not a guy with elite velocity, Zimmermann has shown incredible control and command this season, and now that he’s moved up to AA, he’s shown well since the trade, making two starts, pitching 10 innings, with a 1.80 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, posting a 1/7 BB/K ratio. His ceiling isn’t high, but he’s a fun guy to root for nonetheless.