8 prospects the Braves need to use as trade bait this offseason

The trade market may be the best place for the Braves to address their roster holes this offseason, but that means they are going to have to part with some minor league talent.

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Jesse Franklin V

Teams are always looking to add hitting prospects that have some power, but unfortunately the Braves don't have a ton of those guys in the minors right now as they have prioritized pitching in recent years. However, one name that is at least mildly interesting is Jesse Franklin V who can really mash when he is healthy.

Jesse missed a bunch of time last year after having Tommy John surgery, but he has shown flashes in 2023 of being an impact player in the outfield. His hit tool is still questionable post surgery, but he did hit 15 homers this season while playing home games in a very pitcher friendly park and also stole 21 bases along the way. He is more of a lottery ticket type prospect right now, but this is the kind of guy that teams like to take a chance on if the deal is right.

Drake Baldwin

Every team wants/needs catching prospects as it is the hardest position in baseball to find quality players. However, the Braves are in a uniquely strong position at the big league level at catcher with Sean Murphy locked up for the foreseeable future and Travis d'Arnaud's club option for next season being a mortal lock to get exercised. That means that a guy like Drake Baldwin could be expendable.

While Baldwin gets mixed reviews for his work behind the plate, he has had a tremendous season at the plate in 2023. Across three levels of minors, Drake slashed .270/.384/.460 with 16 homers with the bulk of that production coming when he was at high-A Rome. The Braves may want to groom Baldwin to replace TdA when the time comes and become Atlanta's backup catcher of the future, but he may end up being more valuable as a trade piece this offseason as his value is at an all-time high at a position of need around the league.

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