Atlanta Braves Minor League Ag Report, September 3rd
Dec 8, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A tractor removes snow from the field prior to the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Braves Minor League Ag Report
We’ve reviewed the DSL and GCL teams, and we’ll be looking at the Danville squad today as they finished up on September 1. Today, we’ll cover hitters, and there are a number to review, so let’s get started:
Austin Riley was the 3rd pick of the Braves’ season, grabbing him in the competitive balance round pick that the Braves acquired from the Padres in the Craig Kimbrel deal. Riley had a number of teams who saw him as a pitcher, and many teams weren’t sure whether he would stay on the mound or on 3rd base. Riley is a very physically developed guy for 18 years old, already 6’2 and 230 pounds. That does lead some to worry that he could get out of shape. Riley struggled this year at 3B, though his bat had no issues whatsoever. Between GCL and Danville, Riley hit .304/.389/.544 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI in 217 at bats. Riley did strike out at a 25%+ rate on the year, so that’s something that will hopefully calm some as he moves up, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Braves be aggressive in 2016 and move Riley straight to Rome at 19. He’s certainly moved into the top 10 of Braves prospects.
Carlos Castro was moved from catcher to first base. That puts more pressure on the bat, but the 21 year-old from the Dominican Republic responded well in Danville this year. His batting line was .319/.340/.412 with 14 extra base hits in 204 at-bats. Castro had a rough 8/42 BB/K ratio, but he’s got a very solid swing from the right side. I’d wager he’ll start in Danville, but he’ll probably move quickly to Rome in 2016.
Jose Morel was signed in 2011 from the Dominican Republic, and he’s struggled to move up slow in the Braves system, primarily due to his middling power and poor walk/strikeout rate. His bat has caught up, enough so to post a .313/.372/.390 line this year in Danville. He’s played solid defense now that he’s moved off of center field, though he’s likely not going to be the power guy that a corner outfielder should be. Morel does have a short, compact swing from either side, and he resembles former outfielder Lance Johnson with his swing. Morel may not have a clear path with a center fielder’s offensive skillset and corner outfielder’s defensive skills, but he could be interesting to watch next year in Rome.
Juan Yepez was signed in the offseason from Venezuela. Yepez was signed as a 3B, but he’s been spending a lot of time at DH and 1B this year. Yepez is 6’1 and 200 at 17 years old, so he could be a pretty big guy as his body fills out. Yepez hit tremendously for Danville, .299/.364/.458 with 4 home runs. Like Riley, he also had issues with high strikeout rates as well. I’d wager he’s back at Danville next year to start, likely moving him to Rome.
Ronald Acuna was signed this offseason by the Braves out of Venezuela. The 17 year-old started at GCL, but he actually hit better in a short time with Danville. His combined line on the year was .269/.380/.438 with 4 home runs, 4 triples, and 16 stolen bases. Acuna spent most of his time defensively in center field, showing a ton of instinct in the field, but he has some bad judgement in his throwing. Acuna will likely be going back to Danville to start 2016, but if he keeps up the playing he did in Danville in 2015 (.290/.388/.464 in just Danville).
After a position move to center field from shortstop in 2015, Ray-Patrick Didder displayed a ton of ability in getting on base and in the field. The 20 year-old from Aruba was exceptional in the field. He put up a .247/.346/.334 slash line. While he has a ton of speed, he struggled some on the basepaths, stealing 10, while getting caught 7 times. He did rack up 7 triples. Didder will likely not be any level of a power hitter, but he has a solid ability to walk, though also a pretty high strikeout level this year as well. I would imagine he’ll be at Danville to start 2016, unless the Braves are impressed enough by his defense to move him to Rome to start the year.
Pull up a bale of hay, and enjoy this week’s report!
Next: Gwinnett Braves Report