Atlanta Braves: Where have all the prospects gone?!

Atlanta Braves released players in a new home

A number of players let go by the Atlanta Braves have found new homes, some with success, and others not so much…

Zach Becherer, RHP, San Francisco Giants – The big righty that the Atlanta Braves drafted out of a small college in Illinois in the 15th round in 2016 had plenty of strikeouts in his first season with the Braves, striking out 24 in 18 innings in the Gulf Coast League. Becherer has struggled with his control, and that has continued this year, walking more than he’s struck out.

Mauricio Cabrera, RHP, Chicago White Sox – Mo was never able to figure out how to harness that incredible fastball of his with his offspeed stuff. After a big showing in 2016 at the big league level when he put up a 2.82 ERA over 41 games, the signs were there in his mediocre strikeout rate in spite of a fastball that can touch 103 MPH. Cabrera has posted a 12.38 ERA over his 8 games in the White Sox system since signing, though he has struck out 11.

Matt Custred, RHP, Los Angeles Angels – A guy who always had impressive stuff but just struggled to stay on the field, Custred had an impressive 1.16 ERA over 38 2/3 innings in 2017. He’s climbed up the ranks from high-A to AAA this season for the Angels, totaling a 3.38 ERA over 56 innings with 63 strikeouts.

Luis Gamez, RHP, Mexican League – After allowing 8 earned runs in his first 8 innings with Danville this year, Gamez was released and has found a soft landing in the Mexican League, where he’s put up a 3.00 ERA over his first 3 games. Gamez is returning from injury and has been a guy who was ranked as high as #84, so he could have another shot in the future at the big leagues.

Dalton Geekie, RHP, Chicago Cubs – A Georgia boy, Geekie had big success in his draft season, working all the way to Rome as a 22nd round pick in his draft season in 2015. Injuries plagued his 2016 and kept Geekie out all of 2017. He’s yet to allow a run with the Cubs this year after they signed him away from an Indy ball league. He’s thrown 11 2/3 innings of scoreless ball with 16 strikeouts.

Drew Harrington, LHP, Chicago White Sox – Harrington had big expectations coming out of a premium school like Louisville, but after his excellent draft season showing, he struggled to put it together, primarily relying on his two-pitch combination. After a 7.39 ERA over his first 35 1/3 innings this season, he was released. The White Sox picked him up and have been working with him in the rotation primarily. He’s showed fairly well, with a 3.81 ERA, but only 38 strikeouts over 54 1/3 innings.

Jaret Hellinger, LHP, Kansas City Royals – Hellinger had excellent raw stuff from the left side, and he simply struggled with the Braves to put that stuff together outside of rookie ball levels. Catching on with the Royals advanced rookie league team, he’s moved to the bullpen, showing very good control, with a 6/20 BB/K over 20 2/3 innings, but also being hit fairly hard, leading to a 5.66 ERA.

Ryan Lawlor, LHP, Chicago Cubs – An under-radar guy that got lost among the host of college arms drafted from the 3rd-10th rounds in 2015, Lawlor was a University of Georgia arm with excellent raw stuff, and simply struggled with health. When he was able to be on the mound in 2017, his stuff was electric, resulting in 61 strikeouts over 47 1/3 innings, but he was released before the season. After initially opening with an Independent league team, the Cubs signed him, and he’s been solid for their low-A team, posting a 4.50 ERA over 16 innings with a 5/21 BB/K ratio.

Joey Meneses, 1B/OF, Philadelphia Phillies – A pitcher in his native Mexico, Meneses was a personal favorite, a guy that I’d stated would absolutely take off when he really “got it” at the plate for a full season. It seems this year has been the season, as he’s got a chance at the AAA triple crown, hitting .314/.361/.524 with 22 home runs this year.

Dylan Moore, IF, Milwaukee Brewers – Moore was another personal favorite from the time he was acquired from Texas. He struggled mightily with Mississippi in 2017, but he was willing to play around the infield and had power and speed to offer. With AA/AAA in the Brewers system this year, he’s hit .303/.363/.519 with 11 home runs, 22 steals, 27 doubles, and 9 triples this year, playing around the infield and even getting in some work in left field.

Joseph Odom, C, Seattle Mariners – A solidly-built backstop with good receiving skills, Odom showed good power previously, but broke through in 2016 with a .758 OPS between high-A and AA, but he’s never been able to replicate that. Between the AA and AAA levels for Seattle this year, Odom has slashed .247/.309/.363.

Kade Scivicque, C, Detroit Tigers – Originally acquired from the Tigers, Scivicque has struggled to be a consistent bat in the minors, looking at best to be a backup at the big league level. Overall, he’s hit .250/.308/.366 this year over 62 games, just one of those in the Braves system before he was released.

Anfernee Seymour, OF, Miami Marlins – Originally acquired by the Braves from Miami, Seymour has used his elite speed to get plenty of chances, moving from the infield to the outfield. After 24 games, he was released from Florida and was picked up by Miami, where he’s hit .268/.321/.405 over 66 games between high-A and AA with 3 home runs and 20 steals.

Devan Watts, RHP, Chicago White Sox – Drafted in the 17th round in 2016, Watts was an instrumental reliever in the dominant 2016 Rome team, making 16 appearances for Rome down the stretch. He posted a 2.15 ERA in 2017 over 58 2/3 innings between high-A and AA, but after 20 games, he was released this season. With the White Sox, he’s put together a 2.38 ERA over 11 1/3 innings so far.