BOSTON, MA - JUNE 24: A glove and the rosin bag sit on the mound before the interleague game between the Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park on June 23, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 05: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 and Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after a triple hit by Ozzie Albies #1 in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at SunTrust Park on September 5, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
The Atlanta Braves put together an amazing 2018 season, but there is still plenty in the farm system. This is the top 125 prospects in a very deep, loaded system!
In October of 2015, I put together my first Atlanta Braves top 100 prospect list. At the time, it was an incredibly challenging undertaking to get the information required to put together a list that deep, even with the Atlanta Braves farm system on its way up already.
By that January, the Atlanta Braves had made even more trades, including trading away shortstop Andrelton Simmons and pitcher Shelby Miller for a plethora of prospects. That required an update to my top 100 list, including a new #1 overall prospect. That prompted what would become tradition – a longer, profiled top 100 list in the fall and an update before the season to take into account all the new prospects acquired over the offseason.
This offseason may be the first that does not require an update due to an influx of prospects, but perhaps due to trades that send away prospects, and that’s a fun place to be at as an Atlanta Braves fan.
As I began reaching out this offseason, I was flooded with the depth of talent still in the system, and getting to the back end of the list, it was difficult to cut off the list at 100, so I didn’t. This year, you will get 125 prospects in the Atlanta Braves system, not 100!
We will cover the top 125 throughout this week with the following schedule:
I welcome your comments on each prospect as I fully admit that on some prospects (especially Dominican Summer League ones), I’ve not had a chance to do video review yet. I trust my contacts that I’ve made over the years for their information, so I will go with it, but I’m more than willing to discuss when I’m wrong. Heck, that first year’s list (before the update in January) had Hector Olivera #2 and Manny Banuelos #3, above lots of guys that should have been much higher.
Of course, that list also had William Contreras at #29 before updates, and no one had mentioned his name before that, which is why I do trust the folks I talk with in Latin America for their eye!!
As always, this list is mine, not Tomahawk Take’s or FanSided’s view on a player. My rankings are my own personal view on the system for team building purposes, not for fantasy baseball, not purely for trade purposes, nothing like that, simply how I feel these players would fit into the Atlanta Braves long-term based on their current skills and talents. I tend to give weight to a player who has performed in the upper minors, and I’ll gladly admit bias to a guy that I’ve seen a number of times in video reviews. All that said, I hope you enjoy!
Let’s get started with today’s portion of the list!
Level(s): Rome Braves, Florida Fire Frogs Stats: 3-6, 11 saves, 41 G, 58 2/3 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 9.1% BB, 20.5% K Brandon White was a 12th round pick out of Lander University by the Atlanta Braves in 2016. He has seemingly run into a block with moving beyond Rome, and 2018 was a tremendous example as he had a 1.23 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a 9/40 BB/K over 36 2/3 innings with Rome before being promoted without a single home run allowed, yet with Florida, he posted a 7.77 ERA, 2.05 WHIP, and a 15/14 BB/K, allowing 3 home runs over just 22 innings at high-A. No matter what the issue is with bumping up the level if White can handle it, he could move quickly up the system, but he might be on his last shot to do so in 2019.
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 25: Jason Hurssh #56 of the Atlanta Braves throws an eighth inning pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at SunTrust Park on June 25, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
Level(s): Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers Stats: 2-6, 8 saves, 53 G, 1 GS, 68 IP, 3.71 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 12.8% BB, 19.5% K The Atlanta Braves first round pick in 2013, Jason Hursh has been long a symbol of the previous administration, and he may no longer be in the team’s plans after not making it back up to the major leagues at all in 2018 after getting 11 games between 2016 and 2017. Hursh has exceptional ground ball stuff that would work well in that limited role in a big league bullpen, but it would require a manager who was able to utilize him in that way and a bullpen that had the ability to hold a player with that limited skillset.
Level(s): GCL Braves, Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers Stats: .265/.326/.340, 70 G, 241 PA, 8 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 5.8% BB, 12.9% K Even with a very good control of the strike zone, Morales struggled to establish himself in a season when the Atlanta Braves cleared a number of catchers out of the way in the pecking order of the system for Morales to step up. Morales had a very good showing in his 2015 draft season offensively, but he’s never quite hit to the same level, and his defense has made significant strides since that first season, but he still has work in his comfort calling a game and instincts in blocking balls. Morales does have a tremendous arm, and his ability to keep a passable contact rate could give him a shot as a backup catcher.
Level(s): DSL Braves Stats: .226/.337/.279, 62 G, 246 PA, 7 2B, 2 3B, 20 SB, 12.2% BB, 22.8% K Signed out of Venezuela, Paraguate was the name that kept coming up in discussion on the DSL this year. His error numbers were high (28 in 481 innings), but he has incredible raw range at shortstop and an arm that definitely belongs on the left side of the infield. Paraguate also has raw power the some described as above-average with plus speed. He was consistently described with words like “exciting”, “unique”, and “potential”, Paraguate is a big guy to watch when he comes stateside in 2019.
Level(s): Rome Braves Stats: 5-7, 25 G, 22 GS, 125 1/3 IP, 4.09 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 5.8% BB, 19.7% K Rangel doesn’t have an upper-90s fastball, but he does have a plus change with plus control that allows him to keep low-level hitters off base. He repeated Rome in 2018 as much to build up innings as anything. He should get a chance to move up to Florida in 2019, and while he may never be a frontline starter, he could have plenty of value at the back end of a rotation as he develops.
Level(s): Mississippi Braves Stats: .198/.289/.343, 99 G, 305 PA, 16 2B, 7 HR, 8 SB, 8.5% BB, 37% K Lien is a guy that many will say should not even be on a list like this as he’s going to be 25 in 2019 and he’s just completed his third season at AA with no indication that he’s going to push forward to the major leagues soon. Lien simply has elite defense in the outfield that he’s able to translate to any spot in the outfield, and he has a rare blend of power and speed. If he could harness his swing and miss, he’d immediately be an impact player at the major league level, and for that purpose, he’s here.
Level(s): Florida Fire Frogs, Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers Stats: 3-3, 2 saves, 30 G, 12 GS, 87 1/3 IP, 3.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 7.2% BB, 19.6% Johnstone was drafted in the 21st round of the 2017 draft out of Wake Forest, and his ability to repeat his delivery and keep the ball in the zone allowed him to be used as a fill-in at multiple levels in 2018, pitching less than 25 innings at both AA and AAA, but giving innings where needed for both squads at times that it was needed. Johnstone has a three-pitch mix that could work as a long man, but probably would need to see a tick up in movement to even work as a backend starter.
Level(s): Danville Braves, Rome Braves Stats: .256/.338/.403, 35 G, 145 PA, 8 2B, 3 HR, 2 SB, 9% BB, 31% K A mammoth 6’5″ switch-hitter the Atlanta Braves drafted in teh 23rd round in 2016 out of high school in Texas, Griffin Benson is still learning how to combine a swing that maximizes his raw power and also can have quality contact rates, but he made significant strides in 2018. Benson is very smooth around the bag for a big guy, and he’ll look to build on his 2018 success with Rome in 2019, but there are few that have the raw potential power in the system that Benson possesses.
Level(s): Danville Braves, Gwinnett Stripers Stats: .245/.298/.393, 50 G, 178 PA, 12 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 7 SB, 5.6% BB, 29.2% K Shumpert has the name recognition that made him a well-known player for a 28th round pick in 2016. He’s struggled to establish himself since being drafted in spite of obvious raw skills. Shumpert worked hard defensively in the offseason coming into 2018, and his increased athleticism allowed him to handle the shortstop position very well for Danville. In his promotion at the end of the season to Gwinnett, Shumpert played center field, giving him his first exposure to the position, and he acquitted himself well. With gap power and plus speed, Shumpert has upside along with high marks for coachability, but he will need to see further strides in his approach at the plate to see his offensive skills maximized.
Level(s): GCL Braves, Danville Braves, Rome Braves Stats: .304/.454/.402, 37 G, 131 PA, 7 2B, 1 HR, 2 SB, 15.3% BB, 16.8% K The Atlanta Braves selected Michael Mateja in the 25th round out of North Central College in Illinois, but there’s no way they expected what they got in 2018 from the utility man. Mateja was a force in the GCL before being promoted, where he still got on base at an incredible rate with Danville. He even went 1-3 in a one-game fill-in for Rome. He’ll likely head to Rome to open 2019, and after playing second, third, and left in 2018, the Braves could attempt to find him a long-term position, or they could develop Mateja as a high-OBP utility man.
Level(s): Rome Braves, Florida Fire Frogs Stats: 3-2, 4 saves, 32 G, 54 1/3 IP, 2.48 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 7.7% BB, 23.6% K The Atlanta Braves 4th round pick in 2017, Bacon was viewed as a pitcher with a solid 3-pitch mix that could play up significantly in the bullpen or, after some work, find his way to a mid-rotation starter. The Braves chose to take the former, likely strongly influenced on Bacon’s small stature and possible concerns on him holding up. Bacon was tremendously successful across both A-ball levels, and he should open 2019 in AA, and he could become one of a number of strong-performing relievers pushing for major league time in the upper minors.
Level(s): Did not pitch Stats: Did not pitch The Atlanta Braves loved Dirks so much that after trading him away in 2015, they found a way to include him the next summer in a deal to bring him back into the organization. Dirks missed the entire season with injury, but in true Braves minor league fashion, the nature of that injury was not fully disclosed, leaving his future with the club in the air, but Dirks is a guy who has pitched to a 1.91 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 8.6% walk rate, and 27.9% strikeout rate over his career in the minors over 137 games and 183 2/3 innings. He’s got some legit talent if he can get back in the saddle.
Level(s): Danville Braves Stats: 0-2, 13 G, 11 GS, 29 1/3 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 4.1% BB, 25.2% K The Atlanta Braves selected Lawson in the 21st round of this past June’s draft. Known for his tremendous command, Lawson had pitched 98 innings already for Division 2 St. Edward’s, so when Lawson started, he typically went 2-3 innings before he was pulled as a way to protect his arm. He showed his elite control in his time with Danville. He does flash plus movement on his breaker and with plus control on his fastball and command, he could survive with a less-than-elite fastball. He’ll move to Rome in 2019.
Level(s): GCL Braves Stats: 1-1, 4 G, 4 2/3 IP, 9.64 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, 4.3% BB, 39.1% Many were very surprised when Victor Vodnik signed with the Atlanta Braves after being a 14th round selection out of high school in California. Vodnik was known to be a reliever coming out of high school, and he got limited instruction and polish in his high school coaching, which is why he spent so much time with extended spring before making his debut with the GCL. Vodnik works with a mid-90s fastball at his best and a slider that’s got some impressive movement, but has some very obvious lack of polish. He may be a guy who spends another full season or even two in GCL/Danville, but once he harnesses his stuff, he’ll move up in a real hurry.
Level(s): GCL Braves, Rome Braves Stats: .302/.409/.434, 18 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 7 SB, 12.4% BB, 11.5% K An incredible athlete that had his choice of multiple sports at the collegiate level, Harris went to Missouri for baseball, and many were surprised that he signed after being drafted in the 32nd round, but once he got on the field, he showed not just his tremendous athleticism, but also surprising polish at the plate. Harris needs to work on his initial instincts in the outfield, but his speed quickly makes up for any missteps and allows him to flash definite plus range in the outfield. He has raw strength in batting practice that leads one to believe that he could put up double-digit home runs if he hits his ceiling, along with plus speed.
Level(s): GCL Braves Stats: 11 G, 11 IP, 1.64 ERA, 2.27 WHIP, 36.7% BB, 36.7% K Gabriel Rodriguez was regarded highly enough as a hitter that the Minnesota Twins drafted him in the 11th round in 2017. He chose instead to return to school, and the Atlanta Braves selected Rodriguez, now a two-way player, as a pitcher in the 31st round. He surprisingly signed with the Braves, and his performance in the GCL showed that he was a brilliant signing indeed. Rodriguez certainly had issues with his control of his stuff, but that stuff was so incredibly electric that anyone who saw him came away absolutely raving, even when he struggled with control. He faced 60 hitters on the year, and only 3 had a hit on him.
Level(s): Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers Stats: 4-3, 34 G, 5 GS, 87 IP, 2.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 6.8% BB, 21.4% K After multiple seasons since his initial signing by the Atlanta Braves in November of 2016, they finally got their first look at Elian Leyva, now 29. Some felt that keeping him when things were delayed was a mistake. They turned out to be wise in that signing as Leyva was incredible between AA and AAA in 2018. He’s a guy with solid raw stuff, but he’s so advanced in age that he really needs to make an impression soon if he’s going to have a chance to do so.
Level(s): Florida Fire Frogs Stats: .202/.255/.311, 67 G, 248 PA, 10 2B, 5 H, 6.5% BB, 29% K Okay, I might be stubborn on this one. I’m still a big fan of the way Herbert can move behind the plate and his arm as well. He also flashes just enough power to continue leading to a thought that he has something offensively to provide. The reality? Herbert was drafted as Kolby Allard‘s high school catcher and likely an overdraft in the slot he was selected. He’s got a lot of work to do to even have a major league backup profile. For now, I’ll continue to be stubborn, but I could be convinced to see Herbert tumble (sorry, Doc!).
Level(s): Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers Stats: 7-9, 1 save, 29 G, 21 GS, 133 1/3 IP, 3.85 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 7.9% BB, 22.9% K Franco was picked up from the Tampa Bay Rays system, and he’s one of the most valuable pitchers in the system. Franco is able to be moved to one level or another and just keep pitching well at each level. In 2018, he spent the majority of the season at AA, but he moved seamlessly from starter to reliever for Mississippi as needed. His raw stuff is a fastball, slider, change combination that works very well, but very likely would be a very fringe major leaguer if he does make it, but Franco could have a few seasons akin to what Cristhian Martinez gave the Braves in 2011-2012, tossing multiple innings with the chance to fill in as a starter.
Level(s): Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers Stats: 7-4, 2 saves, 30 G, 16 GS, 102 IP, 3.71 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 11.6% BB, 18.7% K Since the Atlanta Braves acquired Mader from the Marlins in 2016, he’s been a bit of an enigma. He has put very solid numbers on the surface, but a 11.5% walk rate and just a 19.3% strikeout rate doesn’t appear like the type of pitcher that should be as successful as Mader is. Working from the left side with the ability to start or toss multiple innings out of the bullpen does give Mader some value for an eventual major league bullpen.
Level(s): Missisippi Braves Stats: .244/.297/.333, 125 G, 491 PA, 24 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 9 SB, 7.1% BB, 22% K Essentially a defensive black hole wherever he plays on the field, Neslony needed to hit very well in order to have value. His 2018 was not the way to do that. He showed excellent doubles power when he did make contact, but that was far too rare, and at 24 years old, Neslony will need to make a big impression in 2019 to have a chance to remain with the Atlanta Braves system.
Level(s): Danville Braves, Rome Braves Stats: 3-2, 1 save, 17 G, 27 2/3 IP, 1.30 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 8.3% BB, 23.1% K Drafted in the 7th round out of Stetson this past June, Brooks Wilson has a blazing fastball and, when he’s right in his delivery, a wicked breaking pitch. He could move very quickly as a reliever, but there were some notable issues where he’d lose landing spot and that created arm drag that exposed his breaker and often left it hanging, which is when he was hit the hardest. He seemed to try hard to keep the ball in zone when he would get off in his delivery, and that often meant putting a less-quality pitch in the zone for the hitter to attack. As he is able to work through his motion and iron this out, he should jump up the system.
Level(s): Danville Braves, Rome Braves Stats: .284/.381/.412, 60 G, 281 PA, 10 2B, 9 3B, 1 HR, 16 SB, 11.7% BB, 21% K When the Atlanta Braves selected a 5’8″ outfielder from Lenoir-Rhyne College in North Carolina in the 17th round in June, certainly they did not expect what they received this season. Dean was second to perhaps only Cristian Pache in the quality of his center field defense in his time in the system, flashing a plus arm as well. Dean is also a tremendous overall athlete, with speed that received some scouting grades as high as 65-70 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. Dean’s ability to draw a walk and impressive gap power really makes him an ideal leadoff type with the opportunity to hit for plenty of gap power, get on base, and run at the top of the lineup. He should start 2019 in Florida, but he could finish the year in the upper minors, pushing for MLB time in 2020 if he keeps up the initial showing he had in 2018.
Level(s): Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers Stats: 2-3, 39 G, 1 GS, 5.73 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 15.6% BB, 20.2% K Phil Pfeifer had a rocky road through college, and if he could survive that, anything baseball throws at him is secondary. That said, his 2018 was definitely one of those career road bumps, just after he really showed well in 2017. Pfeifer has a low-90s fastball and a devastating curve that is a very hard combination for hitters to handle in the minor leagues. He struggled to put the ball in the zone in 2018, though, and that has been an issue to a lesser degree for most of his career. If he can control the ball, his stuff is such that he would be an elite LOOGY and could be a quality lefty reliever against both sides.
Level(s): Florida Fire Frogs, Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Braves Stats: .285/.315/.337, 113 G, 436 PA, 14 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 6 SB, 4.4% BB, 18.6% K Considered among the absolute elite gloves in the Atlanta Braves system since he first stepped on a pro field in 2014, Alejandro Salazar’s lack of power and patience at the plate has left his future role a likely contact-oriented backup infielder, but with his elite glove at short, he could be a very high-level bench player.
In 2018, Salazar played 9 games at first base, 72 games at second base, 34 games at third base, and, surprisingly, just 2 games at shortstop. That work around the infield is a big indicator of the Atlanta Braves plans for Salazar going forward, which likely won’t include a starting role.
One thing to consider, however, is that this is the point when Johan Camargo made the effort to adjust his swing to tap into more power and was able to work his way into the starting 3B job in 2018. Salazar has advanced bat control in comparison to where Camargo was at the time, so writing off the 21-year-old Salazar as a bench-only player would be much too early right now!
Next. My week as Braves GM. dark
So that’s the #51-75 prospects in the annual countdown of the Atlanta Braves top prospects. Anyone too high? Too low? Comment below!
