Atlanta Braves Prospect Report: Augusta Greenjackets Edition

Spencer Schwellenbach

Remember Spencer Schwellenbach? The 2021 second-round pick finally made his organizational debut this year. After being drafted, it was revealed he would miss time due to surgery.

It is nice to finally see Schwellenbach (7th-ranked prospect) get in some game action. After 7 starts, 20.2 IP, he sports a 1.74 ERA, 3.65 FIP, and 4.42 xFIP. He is only striking out 19.0% of batters and walking 9.5%, which is not ideal.

There is some concern that he is not missing many bats, especially considering he is 23 and much older than a lot of his competition in A-ball. On the other hand, he is working his way back from a lengthy injury and might not be fully comfortable.

I imagine the Braves will want to get him to a higher level soon seeing as he is older but they also probably will not want to rush him due to the recent injury. He is one to keep an eye on and we might want to ignore some of the stats as he continues to work his way back.

Ambioris Tavarez

Shortstop is still a fun topic for discussion around the Atlanta Braves, right? While Orlando Arcia has won the job and doing a tremendous job in 2023, there is still a question of who will be the long-term shortstop in Atlanta.

Ambioris Tavarez, currently the Braves 9th ranked prospect, is one of the few in-house options that could potentially take over at short in a few years with the right development. Defensively, he looks like he could stick at the position as he continues to age. Some describe his game as "smooth." Shortstop is not an easy position defensively, so hopefully this holds true and he can stick there defensively.

The most significant question mark is going to be his bat. He will have to show something with the stick and that has just not happened yet. Over 163 plate appearances, Tavarez is hitting .184/.288/.284 1 HR, 12 R, 11 RBI, 6 SB, .290 wOBA, & 70 wRC+. This includes an 8.6% walk rate and 42.9% strikeout rate.

Not ideal. Now, Tavarez is still only 19, so there is time for the bat to come around. The Braves can be patient with him and let him work through the kinks in Augusta for all of 2023.

Seth Keller

The sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, Seth Keller currently ranks as the Braves 20th prospect. Keller is pitching well in Augusta, through 6 games (2 starts), he has pitched to a 1.17 ERA, 3.02 FIP, and 3.76 xFIP over 23 IP. While Keller has not started every game, it is important to note that he has pitched 3 innings in every outing. So he is getting a good bit of work with each appearance.

Keller is currently striking out 25.6% and walking 3.5%. He is showing solid potential and justifying the Braves' decision to go well over-slot for him in the sixth round. He has a fastball that can reach the mid-90s, with a solid changeup as well. There is hope his slider will continue to develop as well.

There is questions on if he will be able to handle a full starters workload in the future, but the Braves can be patient with the young pitcher and bring him along at his pace. The hope is he could continue to add strength and athleticism as he ages, meaning the potential is there for him to turn into a steal in the 6th round.

My best guess is he will likely spend most, if not all, of the year in Augusta.

David McCabe

The fourth-rounder in the 2022 draft is having a solid start to the year in Augusta. David McCabe sits at 24 on the Braves prospect rankings and is an intriguing college bat that could progress quickly through the system if all goes well.

Through 156 plate appearances, McCabe is hitting .246/.378/.397 4 HR, 22 R, 17 RBI, 1 SB, .381 wOBA, & 124 wRC+. I would like to see a little more power over the .151 ISO, but it is nothing to complain about currently. A 17.3% walk rate is really nice to see.

He is listed as both a first and third baseman, but is primarily playing third base in the organization. The hope is he could develop there with his plus arm. However, a move to first permanently or maybe a corner outfielder spot might not be out of question either.

He is another guy who is older at 23 for A-ball. I would imagine he would move to Rome at some point if he continues to play well.

Adam Shoemaker

The Braves 27th ranked prospect joined the Braves as an eleventh-round selection in the 2021 draft. The giant 6'6 lefty has plenty of projection to him but has yet to really see it come together. Through 7 games (4 starts), Adam Shoemaker has a 4.71 ERA, 5.08 FIP, and 5.36 xFIP over 21 innings. A 20.5% strikeout rate and 15.9% walk rate do not help either.

It has not been a great start to Shoemaker 2023 season. Hopefully he can get it turned around soon. He might be more of a reliever long-term though.

Justin Janas

Justin Janas was the Braves' eleventh-round selection last year, and while he is not currently in the Braves' top 30, I think he is right outside of it. With a solid stretch, it would not surprise me to see him sneak his way into the top 30.

Through 132 plate appearances, Janas is hitting .292/.394/.381 1 HR, 23 R, 11 RBI, 3 SB, with a .386 wOBA, & 128 wRC+. The hit tool is what got him drafted, the question will be if he can develop more power while with the organization.

As someone who primarily plays first base or DH, he will need to find more power eventually. The hit tool is really nice though, so it could buy him more time.

At 22, he might move on the Rome soon as well.

Cedric De Grandpre

Another name not on the Braves' top 30 list, but someone I wanted to highlight as well. Cedric De Grandpre was selected in the 13th round during the 2022 draft and there were scouts saying he would be a name to keep an eye on as a later selection.

In 6 games (4 starts) De Grandpre has a 1.69 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 2.88 xFIP. He is striking out 32.4% of batters and only walking 6.9%. It remains to be seen exactly what the Braves have here, but the early returns are looking good.

Cedric De Grandpre might be a name to keep an eye on as an under the radar prospect.