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Tomahawk Take’s Atlanta Braves Prospect Rankings: 15-11

By Trent Dickeson

NORTH PO, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Braden Shewmake #83 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at CoolToday Park on February 23, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NORTH PO, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Braden Shewmake #83 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at CoolToday Park on February 23, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves minor league pitcher Bryce Elder may be picking up the ball on Tuesday. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Bryce Elder

Personal Rank: 10

The Atlanta Braves 2020 draft continues to look like a phenomenal draft all around. Bryce Elder was their 5th round selection out of Texas and he quickly moved up prospect rankings.

Elder comes from an impressive Texas baseball program (check them out this year) so it should be no surprise he would make an easy transition to the pros. He started in High-A Rome and ended 2021 in Gwinnett. Here is a look at his stats across each stop:

  • High-A: 9 games, 45 innings, 2.60 ERA, 3.43 FIP, 4.04 xFIP, 1.29 WHIP, 28.4% strikeout rate, 10.3% walk rate
  • AA: 9 games, 56 innings, 3.21 ERA, 3.95 FIP, 3.17 xFIP, 1.00 WHIP, 27.5% strikeout rate, 7.8% walk rate
  • AAA: 7 games, 36.2 innings, 2.21 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 4.06 xFIP, 1.04 WHIP, 27.2% strikeout rate, 13.6% walk rate

Consistent at every level. Combined, he started 25 games, pitched 137.2 innings, totaling a 3.07 ERA, 1.104 WHIP, 27.7% strikeout rate, and a 10.2% walk rate.

There were even some rumblings that he was going to get a spot start in the majors at the end of the year. That never came, instead of going to Spencer Strider.

The one concern with Elder’s game was the walk rate. He tended to get a bit wild at times. However, every other facet of his game remained consistent at each level.

He throws four pitches, a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup, all of which are average to slightly above-average pitches. His fastball and slider are his two best pitches, but the curve and changeup play well off the others.

Elder will probably start the year back at Gwinnett but could prove to be ready for a big-league call-up by May or June. He looks like he could handle being a team’s 5th starter.

Elder’s prospect status is more for the high floor he possesses rather than an elite ceiling. He projects more as a consistent middle-of-the-order prospect, rather than a front-line guy. It would shock no one if he is a team’s 3rd or 4th starter for years.

That will limit his status as a prospect. He may never get as much hype as some of the others, but he looks to be one of the safer pitching prospects in the system. About as safe as a pitching prospect can be.

Keep an eye on Elder, he could make an impact in Atlanta in 2022.

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