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Atlanta Braves draft day primer: Staff writers reveal their picks

By Fred Owens

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 07: A detailed view of the first overall pick of the Washington Nationals Bryce Harper on the draft board during the MLB First Year Player Draft on June 7, 2010 held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 07: A detailed view of the first overall pick of the Washington Nationals Bryce Harper on the draft board during the MLB First Year Player Draft on June 7, 2010 held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb was the fifteenth overall selection in the 2014 Rule 4 draft. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

With the 9th pick, the Atlanta Braves select . . .

Ah yes, that’s the questions, isn’t it? Will they continue to do what they’ve done since the draft began in 1965 – select a pitcher first? Probably not.

The early mock drafts had the Atlanta Braves taking a pitcher, and some still say that.  The Braves drafts philosophy isn’t as simple as “take a pitcher”.  It’s more accurate to say that unless the everyday player is demonstrably better than the pitcher, take the pitcher. Put simply, the Braves take the best player on the board.

I ask the writers to send me their choices. We aren’t experts, but we follow the team closely and have informed opinions. I’m sure you’ll disagree on some of these; we don’t agree either, If we did only two names would follow.

At number nine:

Matthew Browning: Shea Langeliers (Baylor C) – William Contreras is the catcher of the future; it would be nice to add depth to the position. Baseball America says worst case scenario he’s a backup who is a good defender.

Alan Carpenter:  J.J. Bleday or Hunter Bishop (both are college outfielders) – “I want a big bat here; this game is morphing into one where the hitters rule.  The Atlanta Braves sorely lack the kind of power and fury needed to match up with the Dodgers, Astros, Red Sox, et al.  The Braves have the arms; it’s time to go for a bat.”

Andrew Cicco:  Corbin Carroll, OF, Lakeside HS –  Carroll is an impressive center fielder and to adds much-needed outfield depth to the farm system. His hit-tools is among the best in the draft. He’s only 5′-10 but he hits the ball hard (average exit velocity 97 mph) to all fields and should provide at least average power in center field.

Jake Mastroianni and Clint Manry: Hunter Bishop – Clint says, “Bishop, 21-years-old, is an absolute beast at 6’5, 210 lbs. If he makes it all the way to #9, the Braves would be crazy not to grab him.

More from Tomahawk Take

Bishop is your prototypical power-lefty corner outfielder who can straight up mash (.344 BA, 22 HR, 12 SB in 2019). If there was ever a year to go with a position-player first, the 2019 MLB Draft is it. Rome and Florida need bats!”

Jake’s more detailed analysis is contained here.

Me: Riley Greene  – I’m happy if we end up with Bishop or Langeliers whose hit tool suddenly made an appearance this spring after hiding for a long while. I like long shots, and he probably won’t fall to us, but Greene scouts as a 70-grade hitter.

I also asked our former minor league and prospect guy Ben Chase to give me his view.  He hangs out at VideoBaseballScout.com these days.

Ben: “I’d put money on the pick at #9 being one of Hunter Bishop, Jackson Rutledge, or Shea Langeliers.

Ben’s third name is new, so I’ll expand a little. Rutledge is a 6’-8, 260-pound righty out of San Jacinto Junior College with a mid 90’s fastball and two plus breaking pitches.

This spring he struck out 123 batters in his first 12 starts (77.2  IP) and walked 28 batters. His ceiling is a two starter with a floor as a late-inning reliever.

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