Atlanta Braves minor league prospects: A view from the outside

Now the Braves pitch

Once upon a time, the Atlanta Braves had a long line of pitchers who seemed ready to come to the major leagues and succeed. The line got shorter in each of the past three seasons, and the waiting room is now almost empty.

Of the remaining prospects on the list, McDaniel projects only Bryse Wilson, Tucker Davidson, and Freddy Tarnok project as potential, long-term, back-of-the-rotation starters.

Tyler Owens could also emerge as a middle to back-end starter. Others will get some starts, before eventually finding their future home in the bullpen.

Arms to watch

The pitching highlights to watch for this year are 2020 draft picks Bryce Elder and Spencer Strider.

Elder worked as a reliever for Texas while a freshman and moved in the Longhorns’ rotation for the following season. Elder’s a feel pitcher who manipulates the ball to get outs; a sinker-slider pitcher who already owned a dependable changeup in college, he looks like a middle-of-the-rotation arm who could move higher.

The Atlanta Braves took Strider ahead of Elder in the fourth round last year, Unlike Elder, Strider’s a strikeout pitcher who consistently blew hitters away for Clemson. When he takes the mound this year, he’ll be two years post UCL-replacement and back to full strength.

Scouts are split on his future role, worst case scenario has him as an elite closer. Best case has him consistently throwing strikes and pitching as a three-starter.

Harris and Harris esq.

The Atlanta Braves have a pair of outfielders named Harris. One of them received a lot of recognition over the past 18 months, so in a shameless attempt to get two answers for the last question of the day, I asked McDaniel to differentiate between Trey and Michael.

Trey Harris has power and speed, but he’s an aggressive hitter who will strike out a lot. How he adjusts as he moves up the system. and pitching improves, will determine what he comes. More walks to the bases and fewer back to the dugout could make him a corner outfielder. However, he currently projects as a bench bat/fourth-outfielder.

Michael is the one to watch. He’s athletic with plus power and a strong arm, which would make him the perfect right-fielder… if we didn’t already have that guy.

McDaniel said Michael is just outside his top-100 list and sees him as a potential breakout player who could force his way on it this season.

That’s a wrap

The Atlanta Braves system is top-heavy generally, but particularly so in the pitching department. I’ve been told we should want a strong system, but not be concerned because the team on the field is young and under control.

I agree with the last part, the engine that drives the machine is in good shape. I also understand that adding quality players at the deadline requires prospect capital that doesn’t rate 45FV or less: when you trade low-value prospects, you get low-value returns.

A strong farm system provides both the depth and capital to take a team to the postseason. Rebuilding the Atlanta Braves system is essential to the club’s future success.