TomahawkTake’s top-30 Atlanta Braves’ prospects: The Top 10
By Clint Manry
No. 5: Kyle Wright, RHP
- Drafted: (ATL) 1st RD, 2017
- Vanderbilt University
| AGE | 24 |
| HEIGHT | 6’4″ |
| WEIGHT | 200 |
| BAT/THROW | R/R |
(VIDEO) In a very similar boat as Wilson above, the 2019 campaign was mostly a stinker for Wright (at least at the major league level), as the former 1st round pick pitched to an even worse 8.69 ERA in seven big league games (4 starts / 2 relief appearances).
Still, the solid stuff remains and it was just two seasons ago that Wright put up a 3.46 ERA across Double-A Mississippi an Triple-A Gwinnett. Sure, the expectations were much higher for Wilson and Wright this past season, but they will get the benefit of the doubt on this list for now.
No. 4: Tucker Davidson, LHP
- Drafted: (ATL) 19th RD, 2016
- Midland College
| AGE | 24 |
| HEIGHT | 6’2″ |
| WEIGHT | 215 |
| BAT/THROW | L/L |
(VIDEO) Tucker had a huge season in 2019, making it up to Triple-A Gwinnett with Ian Anderson, Cristian Pache and Drew Waters this past August. Even in Gwinnett, Davidson was sharp, posting a 2.84 ERA in 19 innings at the highest minor league level (4 starts).
Prior to his promotion, though, Davidson was one of the best pitchers in the Southern League (Double-A), leading the league in ERA (2.03) for much of the season and striking out 9.9 batters per nine. This is the best left-handed pitcher in the system right now.
No. 3: Ian Anderson, RHP
- Drafted: (ATL) 1st RD, 2016
- Shenendehowa HS (Clifton Park NY)
| AGE | 22 |
| HEIGHT | 6’3″ |
| WEIGHT | 170 |
| BAT/THROW | R/R |
(VIDEO) For a guy who has never experienced failure as a pro pitcher, Anderson’s little blip in Triple-A Gwinnett at the tail end of 2019 is nothing to worry about.
The Braves 2019 Minor League Pitcher of the Year still managed an exceptional K rate (11.4 K/9) overall this past season, while leading the Southern League (11.9 K/9) in strikeouts for much of the time he was in Double-A.
He’s still working on his changeup, but Anderson’s mid-90s fastball and 12-6 curveball are still allowing him to mow down hitters at will. 2020 is a BIG year for the Braves’ top pitching prospect.
No. 2: Drew Waters, OF
- Drafted: (ATL) 2nd RD, 2017
- Etowah HS (Woodstock GA)
| AGE | 21 |
| HEIGHT | 6’2″ |
| WEIGHT | 183 |
| BAT/THROW | B/R |
(VIDEO) Waters played like the Braves’ best prospect for much of the season, after leaving Double-A as the Southern League MVP and still carrying a .271 AVG with 7 XBHs in 26 games with Triple-A Gwinnett. Offensively, the only thing still holding Waters back a bit is some poor plate discipline, as he struck out 36.1% of the time in Gwinnett and posted a 6.2% walk-rate in Mississippi. Tools-wise — save for some glove work– the Braves’ top-two prospects are about as close as it gets.
No. 1: Cristian Pache, OF
- Signed: (ATL) July 2 INT signing, 2015
- Dominican Republic
| AGE | 21 |
| HEIGHT | 6’2″ |
| WEIGHT | 185 |
| BAT/THROW | R/R |
(VIDEO) We’ve never questioned Pache’s talent, especially his skills on defense, but we had been waiting for him to adjust at the plate.
Well, he did just that in 2019, essentially doubling his walk-rate from prior seasons, including a 136 wRC+ in Double-A Mississippi this past year, after just a 79 wRC+ there in 2018.
A drastic improvement in plate discipline and already-major-league caliber defense is what separates Pache from the rest of this class. More positive strides regarding the former of those two and we’ll be seeing the Braves’ top prospect in Atlanta at some point during the 2020 season.
Next. A start placed in perspective. dark
Let us know in the comments who you’re most excited about this coming season.