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TomahawkTake’s top-30 Atlanta Braves prospects: Nos. 30-21

By Clint Manry

SURPRISE, AZ - NOVEMBER 03: AFL West All-Star, Cristian Pache #27 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SURPRISE, AZ - NOVEMBER 03: AFL West All-Star, Cristian Pache #27 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 13: Gloves and balls are seen on the field before the Chicago Cubs take on the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on April 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.  (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Braves Top-30 Prospects: Nos. 25-21

No. 25: Tyler Owens, RHP

  • Drafted: (ATL) 13th RD, 2019
  • Trinity Catholic HS
AGE 19
HEIGHT 5’10”
WEIGHT 185
BAT/THROW R/R

Owens may not have the traditional size of a power-pitcher, but even with his relatively small size he consistently pumps it up into the mid to high-90s mph with his fastball, followed by a strong slider.

Currently projected as a two-pitch reliever, Owens still needs to add a pitch or two if he wants to continue as professional starting pitcher (especially as he rises within the Braves’ system); but at just 18-years-old in 2019 he struck out 32 batters in 27.1 innings in the GCL and Danville, posting a decent 4.28 ERA.

No. 24: Kasey Kalich, RHP

  • Drafted: (ATL) 4th RD, 2019
  • Texas A&M
AGE 22
HEIGHT 6’3″
WEIGHT 220
BAT/THROW R/R

Topping out at 97 mph with his heater, Kalich was a force out of the A&M bullpen in his final collegiate season, leading to a nice showing in the 2019 MLB Draft.

The Braves quickly moved him up to Single-A Rome in his first pro season this past year and Kalich flourished, posting a 1.31 ERA to go with 22 strikeouts in 20.2 innings pitched. The guy has the body, the stuff and the talent to move quick in 2020.

No. 23: William Contreras, C

  • Signed: (ATL) February, 2015
  • Venezuela
AGE 22
HEIGHT 6’0″
WEIGHT 180
BAT/THROW R/R

I’ll admit, I’ve never been as high on Contreras as most, though I believe he still has potential to one day become a decent major-league catcher.

Unfortunately, as the Braves pushed Contreras in 2019, he still didn’t get much going offensively and his 60 games in Double-A Mississippi only featured a .246 AVG and 3 home runs.

I realize as a catcher the kid isn’t expected to hit .300, but I need to see more to rank him higher than some of the other catchers in the Braves’ system.

No. 22: Thomas Burrows, LHP

  • Drafted: (SEA) 4th RD, 2016
  • Alabama
AGE 25
HEIGHT 6’1″
WEIGHT 205
BAT/THROW L/L

As a lefty who can run his fastball up to the mid-90s mph, the 2019 season was a big one for Burrows as he built off a strong 2018 campaign.

His 2019 featured a bit of a drop-off in run prevention (4.42 ERA in ’19, compared to a 2.66 mark in ’18), but almost three years ago former TT prospect expert Benjamin Chase projected Burrows as a future 7th-inning arm in a major-league bullpen, and I agree. We could even see him in the majors relatively soon.

No. 21: Jefrey Ramos, OF

  • Signed: (ATL) July 2nd International signing period of 2016
  • Dominican Republic
AGE 21
HEIGHT 6’1″
WEIGHT 185
BAT/THROW R/L

This is my attempt to get out in front of the hype, as I believe Ramos has a real future after he belted 16 home runs in Single-A Rome as a 19-year-old in 2018.

The 2019 season was more of a challenge, consisting of a full season in High-A Florida (where power goes to die), but Ramos still somewhat held his own and hit 9 homers with 16 doubles, a sign that the power tool is still there. I could be wrong, but this kid appears to have legit power as a corner outfielder.

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That’s our first of three prospect reports – look for the second group tomorrow.

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