3. C Shea Langeliers – Atlanta Braves No. 2 Prospect
2021 Season Stats: .254 AVG, .331 OBP, .483 SLG, .814 OPS, 20 HR, 46 RBI
Is it possible for the Atlanta Braves No. 2 prospect and No. 72 prospect in baseball to rise any more? In fact yes, that is exactly what Shea Langeliers continues to do throughout the course of this season.
Atlanta’s first round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Langeliers came into the 2021 season already considered as one of the top catching prospects in baseball. Spending the entire season up to this point in Double-A Mississippi, Langeliers has done nothing but rise up the prospect ranks.
Across 86 games so far this season, the 23-year-old backstop has slashed .254/.331/.483 with 20 home runs and 46 RBI’s in what is the largest single-season sample size of his professional career.
While the offensive numbers including 13 doubles and more are certainly impressive, Langeliers is gaining some attention due to his impressive defense behind the plate. Posting a 99.6% fielding percentage this season, Langeliers has only allowed three passed balls in 796 defensive chances, as well as a 42% caught stealing percentage.
Widely regarded as the Braves catcher of the future, Langeliers will likely spend the remainder of this season in Double-A, while beginning the 2022 season in Triple-A Gwinnett. If the Braves No. 2 prospect starts fast next season, we will likely see Langeliers in Atlanta at some point next season.