What if Atlanta Braves hold on to all of their prospects?
It was widely speculated that this was the winter the Atlanta Braves would finally move some of their prospects in a big trade, but that has not happened. Maybe holding on to prospects is the right move for the short and long term.
What if the Atlanta Braves don’t trade any of their prized prospects and choose to spend their money on free agents or in-house?
While this seems like a far-fetched notion, because not all prospects work out, it is an interesting exercise to see just how good the Braves can be with what they currently have.
Show us the money!
From a financial standpoint, the Braves have a lot of money coming off the books after this year. Assuming they do not bring back any of their impending free agents, the Braves will have close to $70 million to spend next offseason.
If you factor in non-tenders and potential trade chips, that number could grow as high as $80 million.
Related Story. Braves setup to be big spenders. light
So that’s where it might be wise to hang on to the prospects and spend the money on extensions and upcoming free agents.
The 2021 free-agent class is loaded with outfielders like George Springer, Mookie Betts, shortstop Andrelton Simmons and starting pitchers Trevor Bauer, James Paxton, and Marcus Stroman.
The 2022 class is even more loaded. Francisco Lindor, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Michael Conforto, Noah Syndergaard and veteran starting pitchers like Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander all could be available.
Hold on, though…
Certainly, there are some question marks with these prospects.
Can Ian Anderson be an ace like Mike Soroka? Will Austin Riley make enough adjustments at the plate? Will Shea Langeliers or William Contreras emerge as the future catcher? And there are more.
Let’s take a look at what the lineup and rotation could look like two years from now when most of the high-level prospects will be ready for the big leagues.
Disclaimer: for the sake of this exercise Ender Inciarte was traded and Mike Foltynewicz was either traded or walked as a free agent.
The Starting Lineup
Catcher, Shea Langeliers
For the past few years it was widely assumed that William Contreras was the catcher of the future, but now that label belongs to Langeliers, who was the Braves’ first-round pick in 2019.
Viewed as more of a defensive specialist right now, Langeliers does have potential offensively. He hit .255 last season with High-A Rome.
First Base, Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman will be a free agent after the 2021 season, but he will assuredly get a new deal over the next 12 months. Now that Freeman is fully healthy, a monster year should be expected, which could pay dividends.
What will a new contract look like? Something similar to Paul Goldschmidt’s 5-year $130 million dollar deal seems reasonable for one of the faces of the franchise.
Second Base, Ozzie Albies
After going through a rough stretch to conclude the 2018 season, Ozzie Albies took big strides last season hitting .295, while belting 24 homers and driving in 86 runs. He led the National League with 189 hits.
Last offseason, Albies signed a VERY team-friendly deal. He and the Braves agreed to a 7-year, $35 million dollar contract, which allows the Braves all sorts of freedom over the course of this contract.
Shortstop, Dansby Swanson
If there is one position that seems shaky it would be shortstop as Dansby Swanson has still not fulfilled expectations. Although, before he injured his heel last year, he was having his best offensive season (17 homers and 57 RBI in 100 games). Swanson was one of the best defensive shortstops in 2018, but he took a step back last season.
This seems like a make it or break it year for Swanson in 2020.
Third Base, Austin Riley
The best power-hitting prospect in the Braves system fell on hard times the second half of last season, hitting below .200 over his final two months of the season. But if he can make adjustments, he can be the No. 4 hitter for years to come.
With other top prospects in the system being outfielders, Riley can slide into his more natural spot at third base.
Left Field, Drew Waters
As a consensus top 50 prospect in all of baseball, Drew Waters should be in Atlanta sometime before the 2020 season is over.
The biggest question mark for Waters is will he be able to cut down on his strikeouts, which plagued him throughout the 2019 season, despite the fact he was promoted midseason from Double-A to Triple-A.
Naturally a center fielder, it should not be a difficult transition to left field for the athletic Waters.
Center Field, Cristian Pache
This seems like the safest bet among the position player prospects, as Cristian Pache is regarded as the top prospect in the system.
The reason why he is the safest bet? Pache is an elite defender, who could play center field for the Braves right now for that very reason.
The bat is catching up to his glove, so Pache will likely be in Atlanta sooner rather than later in 2020.
Right Field, Ronald Acuna, Jr.
What really needs to be said here?
Acuna is already one of the games brightest stars that will only get brighter as he gets into the prime of his career.
It also helps that he, like Albies, signed a team-friendly deal that has eight years guaranteed with two option years at the end — all for $100 million dollars.
Projected Lineup:
RF-Acuna
2B-Albies
1B-Freeman
3B-Riley
SS-Swanson
LF-Waters
C-Langeliers
CF-Pache
The Starting Rotation
1. Mike Soroka
The unquestioned ace of the starting rotation, Soroka took off in 2019 making the All-Star team.
There have been some projections that suggest Soroka might take a step back this season, but I’m not buying it.
The big Canadian will anchor the rotation for years to come.
2. Ian Anderson
By far the most thought of starting pitcher in the system, Anderson was lights out at Double-A last season before stalling out at Triple-A.
But don’t let that fool you. Anderson has the look and makeup of a top of the rotation arm that will make his debut this year.
3. Max Fried
While Max Fried might not be on the same level as Soroka or Anderson, he is a viable middle of the rotation starter that came into his own in 2019.
With a power fastball and deadly curveball, Fried went 17-6 with a 4.02 ERA last season.
4. Kyle Wright
Once thought of as the best arm in the system, Kyle Wright hasn’t quite lived up to the hype yet, but he will get his chance to make the club this spring.
The 2017 first-round pick has done well at Triple-A, but cannot take that success to the big leagues.
But there is too much talent to not think he can be a capable MLB starting pitcher.
5. Kyle Muller
Based on the offseason videos Kyle Muller has made, there might not be a more intriguing arm in the Braves system.
At 6-5 and 225 pounds (last year’s weight), Muller is a power pitcher who has top of the rotation upside.
Conclusion:
Of course, this is not how things are going to end up. More than one of these prospects or young players will not pan out.
But with the amount of money the Braves have coming off the books, coupled with the crazy cheap contracts of some of the young players, the Braves can be extremely active in free agency.
Also, there are some notable prospects like Bryse Wilson or William Contreras that might not have a spot and could be moved for upgrades.
Braves still loaded with prospects. dark. Next
Even if some prospects don’t turn out like all of us had hoped, going the free-agent route just might make the most sense anyway.