Atlanta Braves: 5 Prospects who are Rising due to 2021 Seasons
By Matt Melton
As the 2021 campaign draws to a close for the Atlanta Braves minor league affiliates, there are a few top prospects who have enjoyed phenomenal 2021 seasons.
The Atlanta Braves display a strong farm system with four players rated among MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 overall prospects. However, when looking at Atlanta’s current Top 30 prospects list, there are five clear risers among the group based on how they have performed this season.
Atlanta Braves prospects are rising because of their 2021 seasons.
No, not all of these five players are considered among the top overall prospects in the game. What they have done this season however is begin to rise in the Braves Top 30 prospect rankings due to their on-field play.
Let’s look at these five Atlanta Braves fast-rising prospects, starting with three honorable mentions whose 2021 seasons just missed the list, but should not go unnoticed.
HM. OF Jesse Franklin – Atlanta Braves No. 17 Prospect
2021 Season Stats: .246 AVG, .320 OBP, .530 SLG, .850 OPS, 24 HR, 61 RBI, 19 SB
Atlanta’s 2020 third round pick out of Michigan, Jesse Franklin is enjoying a strong first professional season playing in High-A with the Rome Braves. Currently the Braves No. 17 prospect, the 22-year-old outfielder’s left-handed swing has emerged this season as one of the most power-packed in Atlanta’s system.
HM. RHP Joey Estes – Atlanta Braves No. 14 Prospect
2021 Season Stats: 3-6, 2.91 ERA, 0.960 WHIP, 29 BB, 127 K
One Braves prospects’ 2021 season that should be talked about more is Joey Estes, Atlanta’s 16th round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. Through 20 starts in Low-A with the Augusta GreenJackets, the 19-year-old right-hander has posted an impressive 2.91 ERA with an 11.5 K/9.
HM. RHP Indigo Diaz – Atlanta Braves No. 21 Prospect
2021 Season Stats: 6-1, 0.82 ERA, 0.773 WHIP, 5 Saves, 15 BB, 80 K
Indigo Diaz has had a phenomenal 2021 campaign splitting time between High-A Rome and Double-A Mississippi. Across 42 innings of relief, the former 27th round pick’s 0.82 ERA is among the lowest in the minor leagues.