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Atlanta Braves 2018 top 125 prospects: 26-50

By Benjamin Chase

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)
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) /
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35. Ray-Patrick Didder, SS/OF

Level(s): Florida Fire Frogs, Mississippi Braves
Stats: .232/.331/.325, 122 G, 439 PA, 9 2B, 7 3B, 4 HR, 27 SB, 10% BB, 26% K
Aruban-born Didder initially came into the Atlanta Braves system as a shortstop with a load of speed, but his glove work forced a move to the outfield, where he became an elite outfield defender as he was a key cog with the 2016 Rome team. After a year of shuffling in Florida, Didder moved to shortstop again in 2019, and while he did show some expected rust at the position, he flashed impressive range, and his plus arm played well on the dirt as it had in the outfield. His full-season numbers really don’t tell the whole story of 2018 with Didder as he really took off in Mississippi, with a .275/.373/.374 slash line in 46 games. While Didder’s profile may not be a starter, an above-average contact tool with an above-average eye, plus speed, plus arm, and plus defense at the two premium defensive positions profiles Didder as a very high-end bench piece that should find some major league at bats as soon as this season.

34. Jacob Webb, RHRP

Level(s): Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers
Stats: 3-4, 18 saves, 51 G, 54 1/3 IP, 3.15 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 10.1% BB, 30.4% K
The Atlanta Braves drafted Webb out of Tabor College in 2014 in the 18th round, and he pitched well in his draft season before his elbow popped, and he missed the entire 2015 season and much of 2016. When he returned in 2016, he recorded 39 outs across two levels, and 31 of those 39 outs were by strikeout! Webb has back-end bullpen stuff, with mid-90s velocity on his fastball along with late movement, and he pairs that with a wicked curve. That curve can lose the plate some at times, and then he has to “aim” the fastball, allowing him to be susceptible to giving up a long ball, but he’s been able to work through those issues and put up tremendous numbers still shows just how excellent the stuff is. He should compete for a bullpen spot in spring training, and he could be a guy to spend substantial time at the big league level in 2019.

33. Travis Demeritte, OF

Level(s): Mississippi Braves
Stats: .222/.316/.416, 128 G, 494 PA, 22 2B, 5 3B, 17 HR, 6 SB, 11.5% BB, 28.3% K
While Didder went from the grass to the dirt in 2018, Demeritte repeated Mississippi in 2018 to do the opposite, moving to left field. Demeritte is still a dynamic athlete in the field, and his bat has explosive life to it. He also has improved his walk rate significantly. Demeritte could still interest a team as an upside play with multiple positions of experience now in the field, but he’s most likely going to end up a trade chip for the Braves than a future piece at the big league level. Seeing a step forward in his contact tool would be a significant thing in his trade value, but he is a player that other teams inquire about as a secondary piece in trades.

32. Riley Delgado, SS

Level(s): Rome Braves, Florida Fire Frogs
Stats: .315/.367/.377, 122 G, 532 PA, 24 2B, 2 HR, 1 SB, 5.5%, 9% K
Selected in the 9th round in 2017 out of Middle Tennessee State, no one could have expected the tremendous play they’ve seen out of Delgado in the Atlanta Braves system. Defensively, Delgado is tremendously sharp, perhaps not flashy in the field, but smooth in his ability to show plus range and plus arm at shortstop. He showed an impressive contact ability in 2018. He doesn’t have big power or raw speed that will put up fantasy baseball numbers, but with premier defense and a steady approach at the plate, he could have a future as a second-tier starting shortstop in the big leagues. He’ll get his shot at Mississippi in 2019, whether right away or moving up quickly from Florida.

31. Corbin Clouse, LHRP

Level(s): Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers
Stats: 6-2, 4 saves, 45 G, 3 GS, 65 IP, 1.94 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 9.4% BB, 31.3% K
The Atlanta Braves tabbed Clouse in the 27th round in 2016, and they saw immediate returns as he became an important part of the 2016 Rome bullpen down the stretch. He moved quickly through the system, reaching Mississippi in his first full season, and Gwinnett last season. Clouse works with a three-pitch mix that allows him to be effective against righties and lefties. He doesn’t project as a closer-type, but he has shown his ability as a reliever that can fit strongly in a bullpen mix from the left side.

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