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Atlanta Braves: William Contreras promoted – what this means for Shea Langeliers

By Clint Manry

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 01: The Atlanta Braves stand prior to the National Anthem before facing the Chicago Cubs April 01, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 01: The Atlanta Braves stand prior to the National Anthem before facing the Chicago Cubs April 01, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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SECAUCUS, NJ – JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig announces the fifth overall pick of Nick Gordon by the Minnesota Twins 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 announces the fifth overall pick of Nick Gordon by the Minnesota Twins 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) /

But They Just Drafted…

Yes, the Atlanta Braves literally just drafted a catcher as their first pick in the 2019 MLB Draft,  in Baylor catcher Shea Langeliers.

Not only did they pick a catcher extremely early in the draft, but they selected a college catcher.

This isn’t some 17 or 18-year-old kid who needs five years to mature and develop into a professional. It’s widely known that Langeliers is basically a year or two away from big league action.

So, as I ask — what does this mean?

Well, I don’t work in the Atlanta Braves front office, nor do I have some inside source to count on for information.

But it seems as if this may be a bit of a push by the Braves, to see exactly what they have in Contreras; similar to the Braves minor league pitching situation, where they have too many players and not enough places for them.

Here’s a list of all catchers currently in the Braves organization, not counting Tyler Flowers and Brian McCann on the big league team:

Of the 11 catchers listed here, two are ranked prospects in Contreras and Jackson — with Jackson ranked #16.

Logan Brown in Rome is an interesting player. He was drafted in 2018 in the 35th round but looks to have some potential.

Also in Rome, Hagen Owenby hasn’t been up from extended Spring Training very long, but has done nothing but hit since he’s been transferred to full-season ball.

The rest of these guys are mainly fillers, though a couple could very well make a big league team one day in the future.

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