How angry would Braves fans be if I spent the entire opening to their personal prospect spank bank eulogizing Roy Halladay? I won’t do that, though I did think about just writing 1,000+ words about how much I loved Doc. Then again, perhaps a Doc Halladay eulogy, might be easier to swallow for Atlanta fans, than more talk of John Coppolella. That being said, I have no idea if they will lose Kevin Maitan, my guess is no. More on Maitan and disappearing value in a few. The best way to sum up the Braves farm is to say. “This system is deep AF!” That was the most millennial description of the Braves system possible. It’s true, I went 15 deep into the Diamondbacks system, I’m going 25 deep today! I hope the phallic undertones aren’t lost on you. Because make no mistake, the Braves are the biggest swinging johnson in the room. Their 10-20 is better than most team’s top tens. So whatever black magic, underhanded dirty shizz Coppolella was doing. It was working. This team has outsigned, outdrafted, and outtraded all comers. That includes you Yankees and White Sox! I’m talking the last two years of course. Any later than that is a different era. For you Prospect hounds this system has it all, future MLB arms of all types, a through the roof prospect superstar in Ronald Acuna, power bats, speedsters, glove first catchers, bat first catchers, relief arms, and Methodists!
1) Ronald Acuna, OF Braves | Level: AAA | Age: 19 | 2017 Stats: .325/.374/.522, 21 HR, 82 RBI, 44 Steals
You’ve probably heard all you could hear about Acuna. Grey wrote about him, I ranked him as the top prospect in baseball, and he’s currently killing the Arizona Fall League. The only knocks I’ve heard are he’s cocky, and that he looked tired in the Fall Stars game (Really? GTFO). He brings true 30/30 upside to the table with flashy defense and play. Will be short to the majors, could be up in April. As good as a prospect as anyone I’ve covered in the last three seasons. ETA: 2018
2) Kolby Allard, LHP Braves | Level: AAA | Age: 20 | 2017 Stats: 8-11, 150 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 129 K, 45 Bb
I love the curveball okay! This is certainly a rank that will get some debate, but I’ve been encouraged by Allard’s performance following an aggressive assignment, and his ability to eat innings following injury concerns as an amateur. The fastball doesn’t have the velocity associated with high end prospect talents, and I understand that’s a concern. He does spot it well, and it has solid movement, he’s still only 20, so adding a few ticks to get to average MLB velocity is possible. ETA: 2019
3) Luiz Gohara, LHP Braves | Level: AAA | Age: 21 | 2017 Stats: 7-4, 123.2 IP, 2.62 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 147 K, 44 Bb
The big lefty acquired from the Mariners for Mallex Smith and Shae Simmons, just another example of Jerry DiPoto making great trades. Never should have complemented that guy. He mixes an high-90’s fastball, with a nasty slider, as well as a solid changeup. He made his major league debut this year, and was far better than his numbers indicate. ETA: 2018
4) Mike Soroka, RHP Braves | Level: AA | Age: 20 | 2017 Stats: 11-8, 154 IP, 2.75 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 125 K, 34 Bb
The classic unexciting, but polished pitching prospect, Soroka often gets overlooked for some of the flashier arms in the Braves system, but he might be the best pitcher. Clean mechanics, excellent command, control, and feel Soroka has it all. He features a low 90’s fastball, plus slider, above average changeup, and average curveball. Soroka mixes speeds very well, and keeps hitters off balance by working the entire zone with all of his offerings. Ready made number three starter at 20. The question is how high is the upside? ETA: 2019
5) Ian Anderson, RHP Braves | Level: A | Age: 19 | 2017 Stats: 4-5, 83 IP, 3.14 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 101 K, 43 Bb
The “Aqualung” continued to prove that his selection as the third overall player in the 2016 draft was no bonus slot trickery, but a deserving selection. I his first full year of pro-ball Anderson made 20 starts in the Sally League, mostly coming prior to July, where the Braves slowed down his workload considerably. Not because he was wearing down, but because he was a cold weather pitching arm in his first full pro season. Anderson brings a three pitch mix highlighted by plus offerings in his mid-90’s four seam and a sharp breaking curveball. His changeup is a work in progress, but has received average grades from those that scouted the Sally this season. ETA: 2020
6) Kyle Wright, RHP Braves | Level: A+ | Age: 22 | 2017 Stats: 0-1, 17 IP, 2.65 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 18 K, 6 Bb
Didn’t pitch a ton after a long college season, but many thought Wright was the best college player in the draft. He has a plus fastball that sits 92-95, touching 97 when he needs it. His secondaries are led by his plus curveball with nice two plane movement, and an average slider. He should move quick, but in a stocked Braves system just how quickly he ascends is hard to peg. Looks like a sure fire number three with the upside of a number 2 starter. ETA: 2019
7) Austin Riley, 3B Braves | 2017 Level: AA | Age: 20 | 2017 Stats: .275/.339/.446 20 HR, 74 RBI, 2 SB
Riley has bounced on and off of my top 100 lists, ranking 95th in my most recent top 100. I’m not sure if Riley is a Razzball reader because there was a fire under his booty in the second half. Upon promotion to AA Mississippi in mid-July the former 1st round supplemental pick hit .315/.389/.511 with 8 homers in just 48 games. Riley has reached the 20 homer mark in each of first two full professional seasons, and the Braves seem focused on keeping him at 3rd. He showed improved plate discipline from 2016, cutting down his strikeout rate from A ball, while walking at a near 10% clip in AA. Riley is still probably a year away, but looks like he could be a decent source of power. Statistically the best hitter in the Arizona Fall League at the time of writing this.ETA: 2019
8) Alex Jackson, C Braves | Level: AA | Age: 21 | 2017 Stats: .267/.328/.480 19 HR, 65 RBI, 0 SB
Reborn in the Braves organization as a power hitting catcher. Jackson found his old swagger that pushed him to the top of the 2014 draft class. He set career highs in slugging, homers, and just about every other statistical category, and managed to look solid if unspectacular in a second half callup to AA. Jackson brings elite power to the table and little else. He’s never going to be a high average play, and he struggles against righthanders. So there’s obvious red flags here. Still, the 30+ homer ceiling is enough to outweigh the power hitting platoon vs lefties floor. Tied for the home run lead in the Arizona Fall League with teammates Austin Riley and Ronald Acuna. ETA: 2019
9) Cristian Pache, OF | Level: A | Age: 19 | 2017 Stats: .281/.335/.343, 0 HR, 42 RBI, 32 SB
A toolsy speedster with out of this world centerfield defense. I picture him as an Ender Incarte seed in their farm system. Around the time Incarte is ready to head out to pasture, Pache will be ready for an everyday job in the big leagues. He’s a long way away at 18 (soon to be 19) in full season ball. There’s no power there now, but scouts project based on his body type, that he could find double digit homer power by the time he’s done baking. He has plus plus speed, and solid bat to ball skills. If he takes a step forward and starts to dive the ball in the air his prospect stock could explode. ETA: 2021
10) Joey Wentz, LHP | Level: A | Age: 20 | 2017 Stats: 8-3, 131.2 IP, 2.60 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 152 Ks, 46 Bb
There’s been a ton of debate regarding the lefty, and whether he was as good as his statline says. It’s not too often that supplemental picks with the pedigree of Wentz win Pitcher of the Year for their respective league, and still manage to get side-eye from scouts. Wentz’s fastball is really the sticking point for many, as the velocity isn’t great, (here’s that velo obsession skewing evaluations of young arms again) but he commands it well, and it has nice plane. His changeup grades out as his best pitch, getting the only plus grade in his arsenal. His breaking ball which got above average grades coming into the draft, now gets fringe tags. Many prefer Bryse Wilson, and Tucker Davidson to Wentz, I’m not comfortable going that far yet. ETA: 2020
11) Bryse Wilson, RHP | Level: A | Age: 19 | 2017 Stats: 10-7, 137 IP, 2.50 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 139 Ks, 39 Bb
A 4th rounder in 2016, Wilson rode his plus sinking fastball to one of the bigger breakouts of 2017. His four-seamer sits 92-95 with sink, and commands it extremely well. His secondaries are far more raw, with a power 12-6 curve, and a fringe changeup. You’ll often see the term “Bulldog” associated with Wilson, as he’s a competitor through and through. Should be on your radar in any pitching-centric formats where 100-125 prospects are owned. ETA: 2020
12) Max Fried, LHP | Level: MLB | Age: 23 | 2017 Stats: 2-11, 92.2 IP, 5.54 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 91 Ks, 45 Bb
Fried’s season was funny, he was god awful in AA, as the elder statesman in the Mississippi rotation. While younger teammates like Soroka, Allard, and Gohara excelled, Fried faltered. So it came as a surprise when the Braves promoted Fried directly to the big leagues. But here’s the funny thing, Fried was better in the bigs than he was in AA! He rode that momentum to a spot in the Arizona Fall League, where his plus plus curveball, and mid-90’s fastball have drawn rave reviews. Looks like he’s a strong favorite for a spot in the rotation out of spring training. It’s a lesson in patience to us dynasty owners, particularly with talented high pedigree types. ETA: 2018
13) Tucker Davidson, LHP | Level: A | Age: 21 | 2017 Stats: 5-4, 103.2 IP, 2.60 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 101 Ks, 30 Bb
Was moved out of the bullpen and into the rotation in June, he continued to show above average velocity on the fastball, and an improving curveball. Some still peg him for a relief role, while others are enamored, particularly J.J. Cooper of Baseball America. I haven’t seen Davidson live, but based off what I’ve seen on Youtube, he looks like a reliever. ETA: 2020
14) Touki Toussaint, RHP | Level: AA | Age: 21 | 2017 Stats: 6-13, 145 IP, 4.53 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 167 Ks, 64 Bb
Let’s just get his 80 grade name out of the way, Touki Toussaint. A high upside talent, Toussaint mixes a plus fastball/curveball combo, but has had trouble controlling the strike zone. I feel like he’s on the cusp of figuring it out or moving to the pen. His upside is number two starter with high K totals, while his floor looks like bullpen arm. ETA: 2020
15) Drew Waters, OF | Level: Rk | Age: 18 | 2017 Stats: .278/.362/.429, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 6 SB
Here’s what I wrote about Waters when I ranked him 35th in my first year player draft rankings. “The switch-hitting outfielder from the Braves backyard, he’s a classic Atlanta draft choice. Waters combines plus bat speed, a patient approach, and plus speed. His swing is equally solid from both sides of the plate, pointing to his elite athleticism. Waters has a ton of upside for fantasy as a potential five category asset, but there were some issues with strikeouts at advanced rookie ball.” There are some questions regarding Waters signing, I’m not sure if there will be any discipline toward the team regarding it. ETA: 2021
16) Kyle Muller, LHP | Level: Rk | Age: 20 | 2017 Stats: 1-1, 47.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 49 Ks, 18 Bb
Second round pick from the 2016 draft, that sort of gets lost in the shuffle with all of the arms in the system. Muller tosses a low to mid 90’s fastball, with inconsistent secondaries in a breaking ball and change that flash plus. More of a project than fellow 2016 prep talents Anderson, Wentz, and Wilson. The Braves are bringing the giant lefty along slowly, and with good reason as he was a two way player and didn’t focus solely on pitching. Muller might be an actual underrated talent in the Braves system, seems impossible. ETA: 2021
17) Brett Cumberland, C Braves | Level: A+ | Age: 22 | 2017 Stats: .266/.409/.445 11 HR, 69 RBI, 1 SB
A creepy porn stache, and elite on base ability, might be two of Cumberland’s strongest attributes, but they’re certainly not the only ones. A switch hitter with an extreme flyball profile, and a knack for hitting with RISP, make Cumberland a some what under discussed catching prospect. Part of it is, he gets lost in a deep system, the other is, well, he’s a catching prospect. Still a few years away and it looks like he has some work to do to stick behind the plate. ETA: 2019
18) Patrick Weigel, RHP | Level: AAA | Age: 23 | 2017 Stats: 6-2, 78.1 IP, 4.14 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 68 Ks, 28 Bb
Weigel likely would have made his debut in the big leagues had he not tore his UCL, and had to undergo tommy john surgery. Not worth holding in any league where less than 200 prospects are owned, but one to keep on your watch list for the end of next year. ETA: 2019
19) William Contreras, C Braves | Level: RK | Age: 19 | 2017 Stats: .290/.379/.432 4 HR, 25 RBI, 1 SB
The younger brother of the Cubs Willson Contreras, William brings to the table many of the same skills. Athleticism, bat speed, and an advanced approach for a 19 year old, make Contreras a possible mover over the next year. His walk rate of 12.1% wasn’t far off from his K rate of 15.2%, and 21.9% LD rate shows a penchant for making hard contact. ETA: 2020
20) A.J. Minter, LHP | Level: AAA | Age: 24 | 2017 Stats: 1-2, 24.1 IP, 3.33 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 30 Ks, 12 Bb
Lefty pen arm, looks like he has a spot in Atlanta for 2018 and beyond. Minter has had a lengthy injury history with shoulder and elbow issues on his medical rap sheet. He pairs an upper-90’s fastball with a plus slider, could end up a closer one day if he stays healthy. ETA: 2018
21) Travis Demeritte, 2B Braves | Level: AA | Age: 23 | 2017 Stats: .231/.306/.402 15 HR, 45 RBI, 5 SB
Last chance for love here with Demeritte, after a 28 homer/17 steal campaign in 2016, the follow up numbers are a major disappointment. Demeritte still brings to the table a true three outcome skillset with big raw power. Those guys are hard to quit. ETA: 2019
22) Drew Lugbauer, C | Level: A | Age: 21 | 2017 Stats: .261/.352/.514, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 0 SB
A player I’m going to add into my First year player draft rankings when I update them later this month. Lugbauer was a standout his junior season at Michigan, and brings big raw power from the leftside. Played some first and third, in addition to catching at Danville and Rome. I’m not sure his future lies behind the plate, but he’s a very interesting bat for fantasy if he does. ETA: 2020
23) Jean Carlos Encarnacion, 3B | Level: Rk | Age: 19 | 2017 Stats: .321/.346/.464, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 7 SB
Big bodied third baseman with massive raw power, and a reputation for being a bit of a free swinger. Runs well for his size, and stood out amongst more hyped players in the GCL with large bonus pool tags. A player to add in 20+ team dynasty leagues this season.
Find all of the 30 Minor League Previews, and Offseason Rankings on the Minor League Index
On Twitter as @ProspectJesus
