Braves Prospects: What Is In Store for Drew Waters in 2021

2021 figures to be a big year for Drew Waters as he knocks on the door of reaching the Major Leagues.

With Cristian Pache and Ian Anderson already reaching Atlanta, and seemingly graduating from prospect status pretty early in 2021, Drew Waters remains as the top prospect in a once stacked Atlanta Braves farm system.

What is in store for Drew Waters in 2021? Is he the next prospect to join the Braves or could he be moved in an attempt to get over the hump and win a World Series?

There are a few ways 2021 could go for Drew Waters.

When Would Waters Reach the Majors?

This is a little complicated due to there being no minor league season in 2021. While Waters did spend time at the alternate training site, there is not much data on his performance from this past year.

Despite some minor struggles in his short time in AAA in 2019, most figured Waters could be ready for the big leagues by the middle of 2020. If there is a normal minor league season in 2020, and Waters is performing well at AAA, then it is likely he could have found his way to Truist Park in 2020.

However, a pandemic ruined a lot of plans.

If the Braves figure that Waters needs a little more seasoning before hitting the majors, then it may be safe to think Waters ETA could be the summer of 2021.

Unless he is impressive in Spring Training, or an injury were to occur, Waters probably starts 2021 in Gwinnett (or alternate training site depending on the state of the minor leagues). Adam Duvall, Cristian Pache, Ronald Acuña, and potentially Marcell Ozuna (or other off-season acquisition) can play the outfield and DH every day, which leaves no room for Waters immediately.

It would be better for Drew Waters to play every day in Gwinnett and either force someone out of a job with his performance or replace someone due to an injury.

Plus, Waters is not currently on the 40-man roster. While the Braves could add him this winter, Waters is not Rule-5 eligible until next off-season, meaning the Braves can still be patient with the twenty-one-year-old outfielder.

If Waters were to find a way to Atlanta this season, it would more than likely be the summer before he received his call up.

Could Waters Be Moved?

The short answer is yes. Drew Waters could be moved anytime in the next twelve or so months. There is really no such thing as an “untouchable” asset, just assets that are more expensive than others.

Waters has a high value and could be used in a trade to bring in a decent return. If the Braves think they have a move that puts them over the top in 2021, then they should at least consider moving Waters to acquire an important piece in their pursuit of a title.

Outside of Waters, the Braves farm system is not as strong as it once was. This is due to top prospects graduating and of course the penalties the Braves suffered a few years ago.

This means Drew Waters will be brought up in most trade conversations.

This is not suggesting the Braves should trade Drew Waters, some teams like the Dodgers, rarely move their top prospects. Drew Waters could come up and become a valuable member of the Braves whether it is as a bench bat, platoon player, or even as a starter in 2021 and beyond.

However, if the Braves have the opportunity to add a big bat or a proven pitcher at the deadline that could make them legit World Series contenders, they may have to consider including the young outfielder in the deal.

In some form or fashion, Drew Waters is likely to make an impact on the Atlanta Braves organization in 2021. It is not clear if that impact is in a Braves uniform or if its as a piece in a blockbuster trade.