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Atlanta Braves 2018 top 125 prospects: top 25

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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10. Drew Waters, OF

Level(s): Rome Braves, Florida Fire Frogs
Stats: .293/.343/.476, 114 G, 498 PA, 39 2B, 9 3B, 9 HR, 23 SB, 5.8% BB, 21.1% K
The Atlanta Braves grabbed Waters in the 2nd round in 2017, and he is loaded with raw talent, which was obvious in 2018. He did struggle early in the season with controlling his emotions on the field, and I got multiple reports of having trouble focusing back on the field after a bad at bat or sulking in the dugout after a baserunning mistake. However, he definitely improved in that regard over the season as I got not one mention of it by the end of the year. Waters did struggle some in Florida and will likely open the season in 2019 at that level, but with the Braves willing to be aggressive in their promotions, Waters could move quickly if he performs to open the season.

9. Luiz Gohara, LHSP

Level(s): Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers, Atlanta Braves
Stats: Minors: 3-5, 13 GS, 58 IP, 4.81 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 7.2% BB, 23.7% K; Majors: 0-1, 1 save, 9 G, 1 GS, 19 2/3 IP, 5.95 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 9.8% BB, 22% K
If there is anyone that would want (and deserve) a re-do on the 2018 season, it’s Gohara. After being the “other” guy who climbed up multiple levels in 2017 and ended up leaving a big impression at the big league level, Gohara went through personal tragedy, injury, and just a rough season overall in 2018. The great part for him is that the stuff was still there when he was healthy, and he is just 21 years old, which leaves a whole lot of time for him to let that double-plus fastball and double-plus slider play, whether it’s as a potential top-rotation lefty starter or as an elite bullpen option.

8. Austin Riley, 3B

Level(s): GCL Braves, Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Braves
Stats: .294/.360/.522, 108 G, 455 PA, 30 2B, 3 3B, 19 HR, 8.1% BB, 28.4% K
Many will see this rank and think I’m down on Riley overall or something, but that’s certainly not the case. In fact, when I get into my top 150 list overall for Call To The Pen later this offseason, Riley (and everyone above him) are definite top 50 guys in that list. Riley made major strides in his ability to handle the third base position going forward if that’s where he plays, or to be able to move elsewhere as he has really done well in taking care of his body and trimming up. He has made big strides at the plate as well, shortening his swing with 2 strikes better and using the whole field, but he does still have some work to do with his swing and miss as he posted a strikeout rate just under 305 in AAA, and that doesn’t typically translate to lower numbers in the majors, so that is certainly something to watch. I would personally love to see Riley get some reps in the outfield to possibly be an option in a corner outfield spot for the Atlanta Braves in 2019.

7. Bryse Wilson, RHSP

Level(s): Florida Fire Frogs, Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripes, Atlanta Braves
Stats: Minors: 8-5, 25 G, 23 GS, 125 2/3 IP, 3.44 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 6.8% BB, 27.2% K; Majors: 1-0, 3 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 6.43 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 18.2% BB, 18.2% K
Drafted in the 4th round out of high school in North Carolina by the Atlanta Braves in the 2016 draft, Wilson turned down opportunities to play college football and still brings a free safety’s build to the mound when he climbs the hill. He may not bring the ball in triple digits for velocity, but he has the ability to control all of his stuff and pound the zone, In the majors, Wilson was working out of the bullpen and struggled with control in that role, but he flashed plenty just to be up to the majors at 20 years old in his second full season in the Braves system. He should compete for the rotation in 2019.

6. Kyle Wright, RHSP

Level(s): Mississippi Braves, Gwinnett Stripers, Atlanta Braves
Stats: Minors: 8-9, 27 G, 24 GS, 138 IP, 3.46 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8.9% BB, 23.1% K; Majors: 4 G, 6 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 21.4% BB, 17.9% K
The Atlanta Braves were overjoyed to have Kyle Wright fall to them at #5 overall in the 2017 draft, and they went overslot to ensure the Vanderbilt product ended up a member of their organization. Wright opened his first full season of his pro career in AA, showing just how advanced he was on the mound, and he wasn’t overwhelmed in 4 big league appearances to finish that first full season. Typically, that would have a pitcher ranked #1 or maybe #2 in a farm system, but that perhaps is the curse of the top end of the Braves system still being as elite as it is. Wright still has some work to do in being consistent from game to game with his pitches, as he’ll show a change that would get a 60-65 grade from a scout on one night and the next night, he’s working with a 50 change. With that being the real final polishing step for Wright before taking over as a high-end mid-rotation starter for many years, he has a ton of value, which could make Wright a guy that is asked about heavily in trades this offseason. If he’s still a member of the Braves organization to open 2019, he’ll compete for a rotation spot.

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