Atlanta Braves: Ranking the Positional Needs Going into the 2021 MLB Draft
As the 2021 MLB Draft approaches, the Atlanta Braves will have many different potential options with their first-round pick.
There is no denying that of all the teams in Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves have had one of the best farm systems in the game for the past couple of seasons. Not only does this mean that your team or franchise is loaded with talent from top to bottom, but it also means that the Braves will be very good for years to come.
As the 2021 MLB Draft looms closer and closer, excitement begins to build on just how the Braves will add to their seemingly always talented farm system.
Who will the Atlanta Braves select in the 2021 MLB Draft?
The Braves will start adding to their system as they hold pick No. 24 in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft. While they hold numerous picks in this Draft, the first-rounder will arguably be the most impactful of all, which is why it is so highly anticipated on who they will choose.
Now obviously this draws the million-dollar question, who will they choose? That’s where this article hopefully comes into play.
This article will take a look at ranking the Braves positional needs from least to greatest going into the 2021 MLB Draft. While there are numerous players to account for when making this, I felt it was easiest to factor in only the internal options that are either top prospects making their way up through the minor leagues, as well as current big leaguers that will most likely still be with the team for the next 2-3 years.
So, let’s do it. Here are the Braves’ biggest positional needs going into the 2021 MLB Draft from least to greatest, starting with No. 6….
6. Outfield
Notable Depth:
Ronald Acuna Jr – MLB
Cristian Pache – AAA
Drew Waters – AAA
Trey Harris – AA
Michael Harris – A+
The Braves future outfield has arguably one lone given at the moment with Acuna, but that could very easily change with fast-rising prospect Michael Harris emerging quickly. When looking at the depth for the future outfield as well, Pache and Waters are obviously pieces that stick out most, but prospects such as Trey Harris and Jesse Franklin could factor in as well.
While there will be a few intriguing outfielders available in the first round when Atlanta’s No. 24 pick rolls around, it would make since solely based on the current depth available that the Braves wait till the middle rounds. This group is loaded with talent, and will feature some prominent players for the Braves for years to come.
5. Catcher
Notable Depth:
William Contreras – MLB
Alex Jackson – AAA
Shea Langeliers – AA
Logan Brown – A+
While the Braves will certainly almost take a catcher or two at some point in this draft, you could actually make the argument that this is Atlanta’s least need in the upper rounds. With the future big-league catching duo of Contreras and Langeliers, the Braves talent and depth at the position for the foreseeable future is almost certain.
However, there are a few can’t-miss catchers available in the first round this year, in particular Georgia native Harry Ford. While players such as Ford, who essentially grew-up in the Braves backyard, will be an intriguing option should he fall to Atlanta, the Braves should wait a little in this draft before selecting a backstop.
4. Right-Handed Pitcher
Notable Depth:
Mike Soroka – MLB
Ian Anderson – MLB
Huascar Ynoa – MLB
Bryse Wilson – MLB
Kyle Wright- AAA
While recent mock drafts have had Atlanta selecting a right-hander in the rirst round, it isn’t quite as big of a need as you’d think. Now, yes, stockpiling arms will always happen through the draft, but this future Braves pitching staff has numerous right-handers headlined by Soroka, Anderson, and more.
When looking at the depth of this group as well, you also have to remember numerous other prospects that could play a role going forward including Jasseel De La Cruz, Freddy Tarnok, Bryce Elder, and more. While the quantity of right-handed arms could always change, the depth this position group has going forward is evident for a rotation that is already young.
3. Left-Handed Pitcher
Notable Depth:
Max Fried – MLB
Kyle Muller – MLB
Tucker Davidson – MLB
Jared Shuster – A+
Similar to the previous position, the Braves will end up taking their fair share of pitchers in this draft. However, when compared to right-handed arms, you could make the argument that southpaws are the bigger need for Atlanta.
Max Fried appears to be the arguable ace of this Braves staff going forward, while other top left-handed prospects such as Muller and Davidson will certainly feature a prominent role from here on. Aside from 2020 first-round pick and No. 6 prospect Jared Shuster, however, the Braves have really no clear left-handed pitching depth in their system making selecting a few southpaws in this draft a likely move.
2. Middle Infield
Notable Depth:
Ozzie Albies – MLB
Dansby Swanson – MLB
Orlando Arcia – MLB
Braden Shewmake – AA
Vaughn Grissom – A
This could be arguably the toughest position group to call of them all solely based on pure need. Albies appears a 100% given to roam second base in Atlanta for years to come, but how will Dansby Swanson and newest Brave Orlando Arcia, both of whom are free agents in 2023, factor into future plans?
Atlanta could always sign/trade for a premier shortstop in future years, or let notable prospects such as Braden Shewmake or Vaughn Grissom develop into potential future options. However, with multiple premier middle infielders available in the first and second rounds of this draft, selecting one early-on makes a lot of sense for the Braves here.
1. Corner Infield
Notable Depth:
Freddie Freeman – MLB
Austin Riley – MLB
Johan Camargo – AAA
Bryce Ball – A+
Makhi Backstrom – ROK
Now yes, this potential need, particularly at first base, could easily go away if the club re-signs Freddie Freeman this offseason. However, until that happens, this is no doubt the biggest positional need for the organization.
With Austin Riley having claimed third base as his own over the last year, the club is set with the 24-year old going forward at the hot-corner along with utility-man Johan Camargo as a potential backup option.
If Freeman is there, the job is 100% his for years to come. If somehow not, the only real lone organizational depth comes from Bryce Ball and Makhi Backstrom, both of whom have shown flashes within the last year.
Plain and simple, until you have officially re-signed Freeman, selecting a first baseman makes sense in the early rounds of the upcoming MLB Draft.
As mentioned previously at the start, the Braves currently display one of the top farm systems in baseball, and are set to add to it in the coming weeks. While it is always possible going forward that Atlanta could always sign or trade for a superstar player, the depth they have on the way to the big leagues is evident.
dark. Next. One Braves Prospect Having Phenomenal 2021 Season
So, what positions do you think the Braves will target most during the 2021 MLB Draft? If you were to ask me, the future positional options going forward that they need to address in the early-rounds of the draft are clear.