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Atlanta Braves Scouting Report on C.J. Alexander

By Benjamin Chase

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: A detailed view of an Franklin batting glove of an Atlanta Braves player as they play the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 13, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: A detailed view of an Franklin batting glove of an Atlanta Braves player as they play the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 13, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Under Armour gloves and shoes of Ozzzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves during the fifth inning of an MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Frreso/Getty Images) /

A 20th-round draft pick doesn’t typically turn heads in his first year, but the Atlanta Braves grabbed one that definitely flipped that script in 2018.

The Atlanta Braves had an impressive 2018 draft where they signed nearly all of their draft picks, including one junior college player that ended up turning lots of heads in his pro debut, and now C.J. Alexander is going to spring training! Let’s find out more about him.

Player Profile

Coming from an exceptionally talented family, Charles Joseph Wesley Alexander originally hailed from Indiana. After going undrafted out of high school, C.J. went to Ball State, where he struggled to get on the field in his first two seasons. Transferring to State Junior College of Florida, he had an incredible spring in his draft year, hitting .405/.488/.785 with 15 home runs.

Alexander’s younger brother Blaze was also a top draft prospect in the 2018 draft, and many felt it could take a significant bonus to sign either brother, as C.J. had offers for bigger schools and committed to Central Florida while Blaze was committed to South Carolina.

The Atlanta Braves took the gamble that they could get Alexander to sign by drafting him in the 20th round, and he did sign for a $125,000 bonus.

The Braves assigned him first to the Gulf Coast League team, but it was quickly apparent that he was beyond that competition, as he hit .412/.500/.618 in 9 games at the level before being promoted to advanced rookie Danville.

With the D-Braves, it wasn’t a whole lot different. He played in 22 games, amassed 98 plate appearances, and Alexander put together a line of .354/.439/.488. While some questioned the power difference with Danville, the Braves saw enough to give him one more promotion on the season.

Alexander finished his season with the high-A Florida Fire Frogs in the Florida State League, an incredibly advanced placement for a day 3 draft selection in his pro debut season. The placement did not faze Alexander, however, as he hit .325/.386/.450 over 21 games and 88 plate appearances.

In all, Alexander’s season line across three levels was 52 games, 226 plate appearances, and a .352/.429/.495 line, with 8 doubles, 7 triples, 2 home runs, 4 stolen bases, an 11.9% walk rate, and an 18.6% strikeout rate.

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