A Look At the Atlanta Braves Waves Of Minor League Players
The Atlanta Braves have set up their minor league system in seeming waves of talent. How are those waves broken down?
When the Atlanta Braves went about starting a rebuild, their deals made it obvious that they weren’t looking for a quick fix nor a long-term one-off solution. The Braves’ goal has been all along to build up a system that produces “waves” (a phrase first heard in John Coppolella’s interview with Jonah Keri) of prospects.
In my recent monthly all questions answered, I had a Tomahawk Take reader bring forward something that I’ve been putting together in my brain for a while – what exactly do those waves look like right now? So I thought I’d sit down and put them all together in a (somewhat) organized fashion!
Wave #1
This wave is characterized by players who were expected to contribute in 2016-2018. They’re either just at the major league level now or will be getting there very soon.
Obviously, the leaders in the this wave are the up-the-middle pairing of Dansby Swanson and Ozzie Albies. The unlikely duo in personality and age match up extremely well on the field and in the lineup, and they should be a joy in Atlanta for years to come once Albies works his way into the Atlanta lineup sometime in 2017.
Other bats would include Rio Ruiz, the third baseman originally acquired in the trade with the Astros that sent away Evan Gattis, who should compete for at least a platoon role in Atlanta in the spring and will certainly work his way into the 2018 picture if not the 2017 lineup. Dustin Peterson caught the eye of a lot of people who were unaware of his 2015 play before the bus crash at Carolina with his tremendous play in Mississippi, and he could offer an outfield bat that shows up at least in a small way in 2017 with more of an eye to 2018.
Behind the plate, the Braves saw a breakthrough in Joseph Odom‘s bat in high-A in 2016, and he’ll likely see AAA in 2017 with an eye to contributing in 2018. The Braves have a number of other players who will likely be set for more of a bench role, like infielders Dylan Moore and Johan Camargo and outfielder Mel Rojas, Jr., if they can crack the big league roster at all.
The first wave of pitching is certainly deep and talented. At the major league level already, we’ve seen Mike Foltynewicz and Mauricio Cabrera have success in 2016. Both are expected to have significant roles in 2017. Matt Wisler and Aaron Blair are expected to be considered for a rotation spot if they aren’t used in a “blockbuster” style trade.
Currently on the 40-man roster are a number of young arms that have shown to be extremely high-end, like former first-round selection Jason Hursh, former Rule 5 selection Daniel Winkler, and big-armed Jose Ramirez and Luke Jackson. Akeel Morris was also acquired in trade and put on the 40-man, though he might need more work on his control to find his way to Atlanta, especially since a similar guy with his profile in rule 5 pick Armando Rivero is already in the fold. Finally, the Braves have a number of young relievers on the 40-man who are injury-recovery types that could produce big for the team, like Winkler, Jesse Biddle, and Jacob Lindgren.
Down on the farm, but still on the 40-man would be Lucas Sims and Max Fried. While Max Fried is certain to be a starter, he will likely be later on in 2018 to make an appearance in the big leagues. Sims will be an interesting case as he has a world of talent, but he simply struggles with repeating his mechanics, especially over the length of a start. He could be bound for the bullpen, and 2017 could be that determining year for him, so he could find his way to Atlanta as a fireballing reliever in 2018 if not as a starter.
Not on the 40-man yet are some still intriguing arms that should have a chance to impact by the end of 2018, headlined by lefty Sean Newcomb, the big piece acquired in the Andrelton Simmons trade. Joining him by the end of 2018 could be Patrick Weigel. Recent acquisitions Michael Mader and Tyler Pike are both control/command lefties that will straddle the line of this group and the next.
There are a number of big-armed relievers that could be forcing their way to Atlanta, led by A.J. Minter, the power-throwing lefty from the 2015 draft. Stephen Janas and Bradley Roney will open with Gwinnett and had good success there in 2016. Evan Phillips made a solid impression in the Arizona Fall League in 2017, showing excellent stuff, but abnormal struggles with control.
Next: Wave #2