TomahawkTake’s top-30 Atlanta Braves’ prospects: The Top 10
Braves’ Top-30 Prospects: Nos. 10-1
(Spring version)
| RANK | PLAYER | HIGHEST LVL |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | LHP, Mitch Stallings | Single-A |
| 29 | 2B, Greg Cullen | Single-A |
| 28 | LHP, Hayden Deal | High-A |
| 27 | 3B, CJ Alexander | Double-A |
| 26 | 1B, Bryce Ball | Single-A |
| 25 | RHP, Tyler Owens | Rookie |
| 24 | RHP, Kasey Kalich | Single-A |
| 23 | C, William Contreras | Double-A |
| 22 | LHP, Thomas Burrows | Triple-A |
| 21 | OF, Jefrey Ramos | High-A |
| 20 | RHP, Freddy Tarnok | High-A |
| 19 | RHP, Daysbel Hernandez | High-A |
| 18 | C, Logan Brown | High-A |
| 17 | OF, Greyson Jenista | Double-A |
| 16 | C, Shea Langeliers | Single-A |
| 15 | SS, Braden Shewmake | Double-A |
| 14 | OF, Justin Dean | Single-A |
| 13 | C, Alex Jackson | MLB |
| 12 | RHP, Jasseel De La Cruz | Double-A |
| 11 | RHP, Victor Vodnik | Single-A |
| 10 | OF, Trey Harris | Double-A |
| 9 | RHP, Jeremy Walker | MLB |
| 8 | LHP, Kyle Muller | Double-A |
| 7 | RHP, Patrick Weigel | Triple-A |
| 6 | RHP, Bryse Wilson | MLB |
| 5 | RHP, Kyle Wright | MLB |
| 4 | LHP, Tucker Davidson | Triple-A |
| 3 | RHP, Ian Anderson | Triple-A |
| 2 | OF, Drew Waters | Triple-A |
| 1 | OF, Cristian Pache | Triple-A |
(italicized players were covered in previous posts)
The table is now complete, as our 2020 Braves’ Top-30 Prospect Rankings have been finalized and released for this spring. This list should hold us over until midseason, which will then feature an updated version of these same rankings.
Just like in the two posts prior to this one, to provide clarity as to why each player is ranked where, check out the following excerpts on each new player listed in the table. I’ve also provided video (via FanGraphs) for most of these players below. All listed ages are for the 2020 season.
No. 10: Trey Harris, OF
- Drafted: (ATL) 32nd RD, 2018
- Missouri University
| AGE | 24 |
| HEIGHT | 5’8″ |
| WEIGHT | 215 |
| BAT/THROW | R/R |
Harris, the Braves’ 2019 Minor League Batter of the Year, has quickly become one of the organization’s most beloved prospects as he put all of his tools on display this past season, slashing .323/.389/.498 with 14 home runs and 26 doubles in 131 total games (56 in Single-A Rome, 34 in High-A Florida and 41 in Double-A Mississippi).
Oh, and in over 900 innings in the outfield in 2019, the 23-year-old committed just one error to go along with 8 assists. There’s arguably no other Braves’ prospect whose stock has risen as high in one season than Harris’ going into the 2020 season.
No. 9: Jeremy Walker, RHP
- Drafted: (ATL) 5th RD, 2016
- Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs NC)
| AGE | 25 |
| HEIGHT | 6’5″ |
| WEIGHT | 205 |
| BAT/THROW | R/R |
(VIDEO) Walker earned an MLB debut in 2019, where he showed his above-average mid-90s fastball, making six appearances and only allowing two runs with the Braves; that after pitching in 32 games combined between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett, where he left the minors with a 3.21 ERA.
The first two years of his pro career Walker worked as a starter, but now on the Braves’ 40-man it appears he has found his calling as a three-pitch pitcher (fastball, changeup, curveball) out of the bullpen, earning the title of the Braves’ top prospect reliever.
No. 8: Kyle Muller, LHP
- Drafted: (ATL) 2nd RD, 2016
- Jesuit College Prep (Dallas TX)
| AGE | 22 |
| HEIGHT | 6’6″ |
| WEIGHT | 225 |
| BAT/THROW | R/L |
(VIDEO) In many other organizations, Muller would most likely be the top prospect, standing 6-foot-6 on the mound with a mid to high-90s mph fastball and filthy slider (he also throws a changeup and curveball) coming at batters from the left side.
His 2019 season — despite struggling a bit with walks — deserves a high grade, considering he posted similar numbers as the previous year while at a level higher in the minors. With 22 starts in Double-A Mississippi to round out this past season, he’ll certainly be in Triple-A Gwinnett at some point in 2020.
No. 7: Patrick Weigel, RHP
- Drafted: (ATL) 7th RD, 2015
- University of Houston
| AGE | 26 |
| HEIGHT | 6’6″ |
| WEIGHT | 240 |
| BAT/THROW | R/R |
(VIDEO) Understandably, Weigel’s Tommy John surgery in 2017 (which caused him to miss all of 2018) caused many to sort of look elsewhere; however, as he was eased into action this past season, Weigel showed why he was so highly touted before his surgery.
The 6-foot-6 righty throws easy gas, sitting in the mid-90s mph and ramping it up to 98-99 at times, while also flashing three additional pitches.
Weigel’s swing-and-miss offering is a mid-80s big breaking slider. Also currently on the Braves’ 40-man, Weigel could potentially be a weapon out of the big league ‘pen in 2020.
No. 6: Bryse Wilson, RHP
- Drafted: (ATL) 4th RD, 2016
- Orange HS (Hillsborough NC)
| AGE | 22 |
| HEIGHT | 6’1″ |
| WEIGHT | 225 |
| BAT/THROW | R/R |
(VIDEO) The Bulldog lost a little bit of his bite in 2019, pitching rather poorly in six games at the major league level (4 starts / 2 relief appearances) and finishing with a bloated 7.20 ERA with the Braves.
It would be irresponsible to let 20 mediocre innings in the big leagues define Wilson’s stock going forward, as frustrating as it may seem. He was just fine in Triple-A Gwinnett (3.42 ERA / 21 starts) this past season, perhaps a sign he’s still not quite ready to crack the Braves’ starting staff.