BA Names Albies #1 Prospect in Appalachian League

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Also Grosser #8 and Tanner Murphy #15.

Braxton Davidson named #13 in the GCL. Albies also ranked #3 in the GCL.

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Ben Badler on Peraza and Albies:

Warren (New London): How would you compare Ozhaino Albies, the Great But Not Exactly Powerful Oz, to Jose Peraza? Will Oz draw more walks? Does he have a better chance to stay at SS?
Ben Badler: Definitely some similarities there, and a great job by the Braves international scouts to land both of those guys, especially when other teams were wary of Albies’ size a year ago. Peraza’s the better prospect right now but there is more upside with Albies. The bat control, plate coverage and speed with both guys are outstanding, but Albies’ strike-zone judgment and patience give him a chance for a better OBP and I do think he has a better chance to stay at shortstop. Big-time breakout prospect for the Braves.

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Ray (Texas): How good is Albies?
Clint Longenecker: He has a chance to be very good, if not dynamic. I dont want to get carried away, but various managers and scouts who covered the league comped him to three different players and every one was a perennial all-star during his prime. We need to let the developmental process play out but his rare bat-to-ball skills and feel for the zone are so advanced for a player his age. Comparing his contact rates with some of the best international players over the last decade made at the same age clarified his talent for me. Evaluators who saw the league came away raving about Albies. He could be a true two-way shortstop.