Atlanta Braves Top 100 Prospects: 41-60

Aug 19, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder

(22) hits an RBI double during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves Top 100: 56-60

60.Carlos Lopez, 17 (3/20/98), RHP, DSL
Stats: 4-1, 29 ⅔ IP, 3.64 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 6.4% BB, 26.4% K
One of the downfalls to the DSL is that there is little video review that I can do, so I have to trust the limited opinions I can find on guys online, and those are frequently based on one viewing, but the February 2015 signee out of Mexico checks all the boxes. Good, projectible size? 6’4, 175. Check! Good control? 6% walk rate. Check! Good ability to get guys to miss? 26% strikeout rate. Check! He’s marking all the boxes well and performing well so far as well. The reports I’ve gotten have said his velocity isn’t quite there yet, but that he shows great arm velocity, and with his frame, as he builds strength in his frame, that velocity should come. He does have ability to command well with his fastball and breaking pitches as well.
Professional comparison: The scouting review I got compared Lopez to Danny Salazar in upside, but with the huge caveat that for every bit of velocity that Salazar has that he does not, he has control and command that Salazar does not. That’s huge praise for a young arm, and we’ll see how he builds on a strong first year.
Likely 2016 starting destination: After such a strong DSL season, I’d love to see him brought stateside to the GCL in 2016.
Expected time of arrival: 2020

59.Dian Toscano, 26 (3/9/89), LF, N/A
Stats: None
Not much to say here, sadly. Toscano was signed last offseason out of Cuba, and he ended up not playing at all due to visa issues. We have the same reports as last offseason that he can play passingly at center while handling corner outfield quite well with a good eye and contact without a ton of stolen bases or home runs. However, after another year off, he will likely need more time in 2016 to get himself acclimated to pro ball again.
Professional comparison: Reports from his signing remind many of the performance the Braves got from Nick Markakis offensively with a tick better defense.
Likely 2016 starting destination: Once cleared, Toscano will likely start at high-A Carolina or AA Mississippi and hopefully move quickly up the ladder once he’s here.
Expected time of arrival: 2017

58.Elias Arias, 21 (6/30/94), LF, GCL
Stats: .130/.196/.174, 7.8% BB, 21.6% K
One of those great “off complex” signings of the Braves from the Dominican Republic, Arias was the big news offensively of the 2014 DSL Braves squad, but injuries drastically affected his 2015, and with his advanced age before he was “discovered”, he really couldn’t afford losing the season of development. Arias struggled in his brief time in 2015, but he’s a guy with good bat control and good patience when he’s fully healthy, giving solid gap power and having tons of speed in his 6’1 frame. He’s got a huge upside, but after losing the season to injury in 2015, he’ll need a strong showing in 2016 or face falling off this list completely.
Professional comparison: After 2014, I heard a comparison of Arias to Lorenzo Cain, and I’ll keep this for now, but this is more a skill comparison, not a results comparison for sure at this point.
Likely 2016 starting destination: Danville
Expected time of arrival: 2019

57.Jose Morel, 22 (8/2/93), RF, Danville
Stats: .313/.372/.390, 7.9% BB, 22.2% K
Morel was signed from the Dominican before the 2011 season, and he spent 2 seasons in the DSL before coming stateside, and his progress was slow before he took hold last year and showed much better bat-to-ball skills than he’s shown thus far. Morel is listed at 6’1 and 195, though I’d say there’s a tick more to both measurements, and the switch hitter has some solid power in his swing, but he has a very flat path to the ball, meaning he doesn’t get a ton of loft to his hits, keeping his hits in the ballpark. I’m not sure if Morel will ever hit 20 home runs with his current approach, but I could see him hitting a number of doubles and triples and playing solid corner defense.
Professional comparison: His contact rate around the zone reminded me of Torii Hunter in the last few years as he’s relied more on his contact than power.
Likely 2016 starting destination: Rome
Expected time of arrival: 2019

56.Kurt Hoekstra, 22 (6/27/93), SS, Danville
Stats: .257/.344/.383, 9.8% BB, 18.7% K
Drafted in the 21st round this June out of Western Michigan University, no one would be upset if Hoekstra really struggled in pro ball and didn’t make it, but he came out and showed a very solid glove along with a solid eye. Hoekstra has a strong arm, but his glove isn’t elite for the position. He certainly has the range to play short, though. Hoekstra is one who does all the “little things” right, hitting to the right side with a runner on second, swinging deep with a guy at third base, and laying down a bunt as needed. He has a chance to make it as a “grit” guy as he moves forward in the system this year.
Professional comparison: Like Marcus Semien, Hoekstra could pass at short likely even at the majors right now defensively, but he’s probably best suited moving off the position to 2B or 3B.
Likely 2016 starting destination: Rome
Expected time of arrival: 2019

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