Atlanta Braves Top 100 Prospects: 61-80

Sep 22, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher

(34) pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves Top 100: 76-80

80.A.J. Minter, 22 (9/2/93), LHP, N/A
Stats: None
Minter was a 2nd round selection this year out of Texas A&M. Minter would have been a first-round selection before he had TJS and missed last season, which is why he has no stats from 2015. Minter has a smaller build, 5’11 and 200 pounds, but he had high velocity (94-97) and a very good slider before surgery, so there’s an elite level of talent there. Minter’s also been known to utilize a cutter to give a different look from his slider for right-handed hitters. He’s got reportedly great makeup as a pitcher and a person. I’d imagine the Braves will keep him at extended spring training to start 2016 and then send him to either GCL or Danville, likely as a long reliever to start getting some innings going. Starting in 2017 in full season ball, I could see him move quickly up the system if he retains his stuff.
Professional comparison: Before his surgery, Minter received a number of comparisons to Ian Kennedy, especially as he added in his cutter. Kennedy would certainly be an excellent outcome for Braves fans for their 4th selection in the 2015 draft.
Likely 2016 starting destination: Danville
Expected time of arrival: 2018

79.Ryan Lawlor, 21 (1/8/94), LHP, Danville
Stats: 27 ⅓ IP, 2.30 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 10.4% BB, 21.7% K
Lawlor was an 8th round selection in June from the University of Georgia. While the stuff doesn’t match at all, he reminds me a lot of Alex Wood due to his Georgia background, and his health concerns coming out of the draft. While Wood’s was due to his delivery, Lawlor’s is more due to his size. Lawlor is (generously, by my eye) listed at 6’, 170 lbs. He does have a 90-93 MPH fastball and a biting breaking ball, with a change up that could become a weapon once he starts commanding it well. Lawlor has a solid presence on the mound and mixes his pitches well, but his size is just a concern as he’s very lean and slight in his build, which worries me as he’s ticked up nearly 12 MPH since high school, and that increase in velocity could be harsh on his arm.
Professional comparison: In build and stuff, Scott Kazmir provides a good comparison to Lawlor, though his injury history also provides a definite level of concern. Kazmir once had more velocity, but he currently runs low-90s with a solid breaker, similar to Lawlor’s repertoire.
Likely 2016 starting destination: Rome
Expected time of arrival: 2018

78.Alex Aquino, 19 (7/6/96), SS, DSL
Stats: .266/.304/.318, 8 SB, 4.3% BB, 21.7% K
One of the Braves’ skills in the international market is finding guys who slip through the cracks of the developmental camps that are throughout Latin America. Aquino is a good example of this, having signed earlier this year out of the Dominican Republic and showing some tremendous defensive range up the middle for the DSL squad this year. Aquino has very good speed, but he only stole 8 bases in roughly 70 times on base. He played a lot of 2B this year due to throwing accuracy issues he was having at shortstop, but his range absolutely plays at short. His defense alone could bump him up the system in a hurry, but Aquino has raw contact skills that could play out to be highly rated as he receives professional instruction.
Professional comparison: Defensively, watching Aquino reminds one a lot of Adeiny Hechavarria, and offensively, he reminds one of Hechavarria coming up through the minors. Now Hechavarria has seemingly found another gear with the bat since he’s been in the majors as most evaluators would never have foreseen Hechavarria’s batting average ever reaching the .276 in 2014 and .281 in 2015 that he put up.
Likely 2016 starting destination: GCL
Expected time of arrival: 2019

77.Sean McLaughlin, 21 (5/16/94), RHP, Rome
Stats: 40 IP, 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 7.4% BB, 25.1% K
When the Braves drafted McLaughlin in the 19th round out of the University of Georgia, they thought they were getting a high-end reliever, but they very likely didn’t even imagine there’d be this quick of a return on their pick. McLaughlin was promoted from Danville to Rome and pitched even better against more advanced hitters. McLaughlin was a starter with Georgia who moved to the bullpen full-time in 2015 with the Braves, and his stuff ticked up significantly in the move. The Braves are likely to keep him in the bullpen due to issues with his shoulder in college.
Professional comparison: When reviewing tape on McLaughlin, I struggled to figure out who he reminded me strongly of, until I watched Will Harris of the Astros. The two have a very strong similarity in stuff and motion as well.
Likely 2016 starting destination: Carolina
Expected time of arrival: 2017

76.Tyler Brosius, 23 (1/7/92), RHP, Carolina
Stats: 27 IP, 3.33 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 6.5% BB, 15.9% K
Brosius was drafted by the Braves in the 21st round in 2013 out of Walters State Community College. He made a quick move up after being drafted in 2013, showing more than anyone could have imagined. Then he struggled through a ho-hum 2014 with Rome. Brosius started out with Carolina, and he started the season very strong before the bus crash in May. Brosius was the only player who did not return at all after the crash, and the details of his injury were never released. Before he was injured, he showed a return to the promise of his 2013 season, a guy who could be a good inning-eater guy at the back-end of a rotation.
Professional comparison: Aaron Harang may have a couple of inches in height on Brosius, but they have similar big builds along with heavy sinking stuff. Brosius likely will strain to achieve Harang’s long-term success, but he could be a solid guy like Harang in a rotation if he can return with health.
Likely 2016 starting destination: Likely Carolina with quick upward mobility based on performance
Expected time of arrival: 2017

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