House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves bargain hunting adds eight on draft day 2

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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26 Jul 1998: General view of a ball sitting on the pitcher”s mound during a game between the Seattle Mariners and the Baltimore Orioles at the Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The Mariners defeated the Orioles 10-4. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger
26 Jul 1998: General view of a ball sitting on the pitcher”s mound during a game between the Seattle Mariners and the Baltimore Orioles at the Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The Mariners defeated the Orioles 10-4. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /

Michael Harris: OF B/L 6-0 190 pounds  BA rank #248

The Atlanta Braves selected Ellenwood, Georgia native Harris with their first pick of the third round, #98 overall.

He’s a strong, athletic outfielder, who some scouts feel has a higher ceiling as a pitcher. However, like Austin Riley in 2015, Harris wants to play every day, and the Atlanta Braves drafted him to do that.

As you’d expect of a two-way player, Harris features a strong, accurate arm, and a short arm action that produces good carry.

A natural left-hander, Harris turned himself into a switch-hitter. He has better power and bat speed from his left side, and his swing produces a natural loft.  His right-handed swing is a work in progress with good contact but less power.

He’s a potential five-tool player, but like all high school hitters, requires time and hard work to get there.

Kasey Kalich  21 RHRP R/R 6-3 220 pounds BA rank 225

Kalich is a prototypical Texas pitcher; tall and chiseled with a high-velocity fastball. He pitched for Blinn (TX) Junior College in 2018 before transferring to Texas A&M.

He has a four-seam fastball that peaks at 98 mph with movement up in the zone paired with a traditional slider – that folks today call a cutter – in the 80s. This season he’s used that combination to average 14.3 K’9 in 47 innings over 26 appearances.

Although he made one career start for Blinn, Kalich’s future is as a closer. His age and experience mean that, barring injury, he should move quickly through the Atlanta Braves system.

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