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Atlanta Braves Mock Draft Monday, Version 2.0

By Benjamin Chase

Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; National pitcher Riley Pint (27) pitches during the first inning in the Under Armour All America Baseball game against the American team at Wrigley field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; National pitcher Riley Pint (27) pitches during the first inning in the Under Armour All America Baseball game against the American team at Wrigley field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; American pitcher Alex Speas (16) throws a pitch against the National team during the first inning in the Under Armour All America Baseball game at Wrigley field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; American pitcher Alex Speas (16) throws a pitch against the National team during the first inning in the Under Armour All America Baseball game at Wrigley field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves Mock Draft Monday: The Braves’ Picks

3. Jason Groome, LHP, Florida HS

A little behind the curtain here…while this is version 2.0 of the mock draft, this is version 2.0 of mock draft 2.0. I had the entire article written up with information I’ve been gathering up that shows that Atlanta has their eyes on a big time surprise at #3, but in the end, there wasn’t enough to go with the selection at this time, but let’s just say that the Braves are VERY intrigued by a high school outfielder for #3, and they aren’t just interested in him for an “under slot” purpose either, though that would reportedly bring the OTHER California high school outfielder into the mix as well, if they chose to go the signability route and load money into 40/44. It sounds like Atlanta is fairly certain Puk/Lewis is 1-2 in some order, and they’re making their moves to prepare for this now.

In this mock, I went with the best available player currently. I really think the Braves are higher on Pint right now based on everything I’ve heard and read, but Groome could be too tempting to pass up, barring something incredibly red flag in his next few weeks on the personal side. Groome’s a very polished lefty that can work with four above-average to plus grade pitches. That said, reading reports that he’s not near the prospect that Brady Aiken was in 2014 or Max Fried in 2012, both HS lefties taken in the top 10. He compares favorably to Trey Ball, but I’m not sure if that’s high praise or not, especially with the reported bonus demands of Groome.

40. Heath Quinn, OF, Samford University

In my version 1.0 of this second mock, I had the Braves pursuing pitching in this spot, and try as I may, I couldn’t find a spot for Quinn to fit in. He has been gaining some momentum as a signability guy as early as the Padres at 24/25 or to the Nationals or Cardinals for the same reason, but in each scenario, there was another player at a position that they were more desiring that would also likely be a guy who will take less than slot to sign.

As I mentioned in my previous mock, Quinn brings a quality that the Braves thought they may have in Braxton Davidson last year, a power bat that doesn’t make a ton of contact and does strike out plenty, but also walks quite a bit. The big difference is that he does it from the right side of the plate, and with the modern game changing with the emphasis on the shift with left handed hitters, right handed power has become more and more a premium.

Next: Who Is Left?

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