Braves Updated Organizational Depth Chart

Starting Pitching:  every one of the top 11 names represents a legitimate major league starting pitcher

The aftershocks continue to reverberate after last night’s “epic” trade that sent Melvin Upton and Craig Kimbrel to the Padres.

But now that this and all of the other off-season dealing is done (I think), then it is time to consider what John Hart has bought, traded, or otherwise acquired toward this 2017 goal.  In other words:  did all of this rebuilding actually work?

The Chart

Click on the graphic to enlarge for sake of reading the names. UPDATED to reflect changes made this week.

Credit: TomahawkTake.com

This does come with a few disclaimers:

• The players listed for each position can be expected to move around somewhat.  For example, Jose Peraza is expected to hit the majors as a second baseman.  However, his natural position is shortstop, and thus he’s shown there as well.
• Do not get caught up in the order in which names appear.  In general, the order is major league players (black type), then minor leaguers (red) with some guesses on distance-to-the-majors plus order on prospect lists.  That’s why Elmer Reyes (SS in AAA) is shown above Ozhaino Albies (A+ SS), for instance.
• That list on the left side is an unbelievable crop of starting pitchers.  I ignored relief pitching since (a) so few “prospects” show up on charts as relievers; and (b) many starters end up in the bullpen.
• I omitted the very lowest levels of the minors (Rookie leagues and lower).  If you feel a name specifically belongs on the chart – or that I missed a player you want to see recognized – then please let us know in the comments below; such additions only strengthen the point here.
• I refrained from projecting “arrival dates”, as these are highly volatile due to injuries and player performance.

Pitching First

It in clearly the starting pitching that represents the most depth in the organization now.  A year ago, this list might have been limited to Sims, Hursh, Fulenchek, and Cabrera – perhaps Grosser.  But when it comes to the starting pitching:  every one of the top 11 names represents a legitimate major league starting pitcher… and you can certainly make an argument for all eighteen names.

Not all pitching will “make it” in terms of development or rotation-worthiness down the line.  But if your goal is to have choices and options for trade chips to fill in gaps as needed, then that definitely exists now.

The Rest

More from Tomahawk Take

• Atlanta Braves 2023 Preseason Top 30 Prospects List: 1-5
• Braves News: Braves acquire Diaz, moves around the division, more
• Atlanta Braves 2012 Top Prospects Review: J.R. Graham
• Atlanta Braves Acquire Lewin Diaz from the Orioles
• Atlanta Braves 2023 Preseason Top 30 Prospects List: 6-10

The Braves are loaded right now at both the pitching and middle infield slots… I could have added a couple more names in the infield, but figured it was relatively pointless to do so given the talent already mentioned.  In particular, quality shortstops are a precious commodity right now, and Atlanta has a bunch of superb defenders on the way… and most can also hit.

The organization is probably still thinnest in the outfield and Catcher, though newly acquired Jose Briceno looks to be the next Bethancourt, so even if O’Dowd doesn’t pan out (he was pretty good during Spring), the Braves are probably okay at that position for several more years.

In the outfield, Mallex Smith is going to be an exciting entry in Center Field.  Braxton Davidson is our best OF candidate, though will take some time to arrive (2017 is perhaps optimistic).  Jordan Parochek was touted by at least one expert as the “best athlete” that the Padres took in the 2013 draft.  Nonetheless, he is raw, and the Braves probably ended up with him yesterday because they couldn’t get Hunter Renfroe or Michael Gettys.  That said, he still makes the new MLB Pipeline chart as the third-best Braves outfield prospect behind Smith and Davidson.

The Summary

We’ll have to keep a good eye on the minors over the next couple of years:  There is now a large crop of real talent out there now and an incredible transformation from just a year ago.  Yesterday’s trade – like it or not – signed that statement with a flourish… a gift that will continue to keep giving for perhaps the entire next decade of Braves’ baseball.