Atlanta Braves Third Fourth and Fifth Draft Picks of the 2015 MLB Draft

Here is a look at the Atlanta Braves final three  selections on day one of the 2015 MLB Draft.

Draft Pick 41

The Braves third pick in the 2015 draft is Austin Riley a third baseman/pitcher from DeSoto Central HS, Southaven, Miss.

I didn’t research anyone past the BA top 100 and only some of those past 75. I had never heard of Soroka and  Mr Riley is a mystery too. Here’s the BA scouting report on him. (subscription required)

". . . Entering the year, the prevailing opinion was leaning toward him becoming a pitcher . . .But he’s done better as a hitter this season and more scouts . . .see him as a future position player. Riley provides significant power in both positions . . .(he has) good bat speed and has plus power potential. He has the arm strength for third base, but he’ll always be offense over defense . . .(pitching) he can get his fastball up to 95 mph, but more typically sits 90-91. His breaking ball has average potential and he shows some feel for his changeup. . ."

Presumably he’s been signed for his bat. Here’s a high school highlight video of Riley.

Draft Pick 54

For their fourth pick the and the 54th selection overall the Braves took their number one pick Kolby Allard’s former battery mate Lucas Herbert, who is coincidentally also the 54th ranked prospect on BA’s top 100. (Go buy a lottery ticket with 54 on it.)

The 6’1” 195 pound Herbert is good catch and throw man with 1.9 pop times and a solid defender and savvy enough to call his own games in high school. He has raw power but his swing is a work in progress.

Draft Pick 75

The fifth and final pick on day one is A.J. Minter a LHP from Texas A&M. Minter had thoracic outlet surgery as a freshman and didn’t return completely until his junior year. He started four times this year and featured a mid 90s fastball that he could pump up to 98 with lots of natural run when needed. Then he had TJ surgery and because it was so early he has college eligibility left so he could say no thanks. We have to assume that the Braves have spoken with him determined what it would take to sign him before selecting what would be our newest TJ rehabbing arm to the fold.

Just as I was getting ready to post this David O’Brien says all five guys are signing.

That’s A Wrap

There must be some kind of plan behind this because otherwise it makes no sense. In a discussion on our live thread the idea was put forward that he’s trying to emulate the Astros and Cubs by signing players below slot in the front round then trying to scoop up players that slipped through those rounds on the backend (through round 10) when other clubs are broke. That works if there are those players there and they have to sign instead of going to college and trying again in the next few years. Whether that’s the grand scheme or there’s some other plan won’t become clear for a few days or maybe weeks.