House That Hank Built
Fansided

A review of multiple current Atlanta Braves mock drafts

By Alan Carpenter

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig speaks at the podium during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig speaks at the podium during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 26: Detail of the back of a camera during Women’s Singles Final match  during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open on January 26, 2019. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 26: Detail of the back of a camera during Women’s Singles Final match  during day 13 of the 2019 Australian Open on January 26, 2019. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) /

VideoBaseballScout.com

Link to latest Mock draft… and the earlier editions

His current top pick for the Atlanta Braves:  J.J. Bleday, OF/RF (Vanderbilt).

I would be remiss if I didn’t give some love to our friend Ben Chase – this is his new site and he has continued his tireless efforts to get eyes on as many prospects, minor leaguers, and draft-eligible players that he can find.

Happily, he also happened to pick – this week – a guy I really like for the Braves.  In past weeks, he’s linked Atlanta to Clemson SS Logan Davidson and Espino.  But I like Bleday more than either of these.

Contrast Bleday with the aforementioned Kameron Misner of Missou. Recall that Misner is hitting .267 with a .945 OPS.

Now check Bleday’s numbers after 40 games and 157 AB:

  • .363 average
  • .462 OBP
  • .796 slugging (not a typo)
  • 1.358 OPS
  • 30 walks, 32 K, 20 HR, 125 total bases.  Ho hum.

He’s playing right field for the Commodores and by all accounts, doing so at a better-than-average manner.

The biggest problem that the Braves might encounter in taking Bleday involves the question of whether he’d still be available with that 9th pick.

Fangraphs has recently raised his ranking on their board, suggesting that he has ‘high-end peripherals’ and desirable athleticism.

No, I don’t really know that the Braves would have a spot for a bit bat corner OF by the time he’d reach the majors – unless the NL DH (shudder) is a thing by then – but there’s a couple of positions that the organization is certainly weak at right now:  outfielders (other than Pache and Waters) and shortstops.

Still, if Bleday is available at #9… I’m taking him… maybe…

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