Off-season developments: Traded away: Kyle Kubitza (8), Kyle Wren (23), Aaron Northcraft (24), Chasen Shreve (25). Also, we opted not to include Arodys Vizcaino as a prospect because of his MLB service time (including DL).
FEBRUARY LIST
1. Jose Peraza (6-0, 165 get winter league) 2B (1) His leg problems late last season meant that the Braves valued recovery over playing time this winter, so expect a well-rested Peraza in the spring ready to compete for the second base job. The reality, however, is that no one in the organization expects him to win the job over Callaspo or perhaps even Gosselin. In fact, it is no sure thing that he even makes his MLB debut in 2015. If the Braves try to delay his FA clock from starting, it would be consistent with other prospects of his stature in other organizations.
2. Lucas Sims (6-2, 195) RHP (2) With hype and circumstance causing all the talk about new Braves farmhands, none has been acceptably rated higher than their homegrown Lucas Sims. Now 20, his tools all came together when he threw most of a no-hitter for Lynchburg. Rated with a ridiculously good fastball and a curve that can keee up, Sims is still the Alpha Dog among the young guns.
3. Christian Bethancourt (6-2, 210) C (3) The Braves think he’s ready. They hope he’s ready. But there are signs Bethancourt may not be fully ready to assume the mantle that has awaited him for over four seasons. His bat has improved as he matured; his communicates with pitchers 100 percent (learning English, duh). He will be given every chance to succeed. Or fail.
4. Mike Foltynewicz (6-4, 220) RHP (NR) Owner of a consistent 100 mph fastball, and he’s a starter. He’s NOT a TJ patient (yet) and will be getting spring starts for the big club. The numbers aren’t as important as the progress, and Astros fan sites expected him to contend for a starting job in the spring. He’s had a brief turn as a closer, but he has more than one pitch.
5. Max Fried (6-4, 185) LHP (NR) Although he won’t be ready to pitch in 2015, such is his potential. He has been healthy for so little of his pro career, each healthy outing will be heavily scouted and evaluated. We’re coming down on the optimistic side for now.
6. Ozhaino Albies (5-9, 155) SS (7) The switch-hitter’s 2014 season, at age 17, was highlighted by unheard-of numbers. Which is the most remarkable is a healthy debate, but here they are: .364 average (.393 against lefties), 72 hits in 57 games, .446 OBP, 22 SBs, .890 OPS
7. Manny Banuelos (5-10) LHP (NR) Not sure if there’s ever been a wider gulf between the best and worst possible scenarios from the former Yankee. Figure first that he’s a starter or a minor leaguer, then try to get the Mariano Rivera quote that ManBan was “the best pitching prospect I’ve ever seen<” land in the real world, and you’re partways there.
8. Tyrell Jenkins (6-4, 200) RHP (NR). His troublesome shoulder had actually been a hindrance for several seasons when he finally had it repaired in August of 2013. After his long rehab, he wasn’t throwing all-out, but gutted out a 3.28 ERA despite allowing a hit per inning. He figures to be on a strict season-long pitch limit for the first half of the season.
9. Braxton Davidson (6-2, 210) OF (6) One hopes he’s not Victor Reyes all over again; as we’re still waiting for either of them to hit a professional home run. His reknowned batting eye is for real; his walks and hits combined for a .387 OBP – nice for a leadoff hitter, but he had only 10 XBH and 11 RBIs. His production is expected (hoped) to jump this year.
10. Jason Hursh (6-3, 200) RHP (5) The Braves Minor League Pitcher of the Year was also, by far, the most experienced. As predicted, he allowed a fair share of hits and a relatively low strikeout total. Expect him to get regular starting turns early in training camp. But there’s no room for him in the rotation. Figures to be durable anywhere he winds up.
11. Dian Toscano (5-10, 200) OF (NR) At the age of 25, the Braves’ pick out of the Cuban lottery can be anything from the next Rico Carty to the next Schafer. A contact (lefty) hitter, he fits the profile of the new regime, but is expected to begin 2015 in the minors. That ain’t necessarily so, because a .440 on-base percentage can cut across a lot of player development.
12. Johan Camargo (6-0, 160) SS (9) A reliable, occasionally spectacular, player at the age of 20, he makes the errors that a teen makes while performing the spectacular play often enough to earn notice. Shortstop remains a position of need in the Braves season; how he builds on the .266-1-46 numbers of 2013 will be a major factor because of his .343 season in the DSL.
13. Richardo Sanchez (5-11, 160) LHP (NR). Perhaps notably, 17-year-old lefty acquired from the Angels is a Venezuelean, not Dominican. He’s had his first big moment on the world stage and defeated Cuba in the Caribbean 15U Gold Medal game. The $380K spent by the Angels was more than a quarter of the team’s annual international budget for 2013.
14. Alec Grosser (6-2, 190) RHP (12) Still only 19 last season, he was extended to close to 70 innings, and has still not yielded a professional home run. Finished at Danville 4-3, 3.68, with a strikeout per inning. Growing into his body and could be a force once he grows up.
15. Dilmer Mejia (5-11, 160) LHP (11) After owning, the Dominican League, made the rare in-season
move up to the GCL. He held his own, winning his only decision. When he was on, he was truly unhittable among his peers. No reason to rush him, so the GCL rotation could well have he and Sanchez as a 1-2 punch.
16. Rio Ruiz 3B. (NR). The Astros’ version of Kyle Kubitza, his future and/or his trade was a hot topic all it own. After drawing a $1.8 million signing bonus (more than Braxton Davidson) despite being drafted in the fourth round, this lefty hitter’s line drive power in a tricky Lancaster park should be giving way for more pure power. In 2014, he had 37 doubles and 11 homers at age 20 after a 33-double, 12-homer year at age 19. His defense has grown into a plus asset and he prefers third.
17. Elmer Reyes (5-11, 175) (4) A good soldier who has done everything the Braves have asked and done them well, he either figures to return to Gwinnett as the AAA shortstop or will be a piece in yet another player development deal. His bat is lively enough to stay at second, but he is another defensive whiz with only 11 errors at short in 98 games in 2014.
18. Daniel Winkler (6-1, 200) RHP (NR). Braves fans were startled by outcry from Colorado fandom over this injured pitcher’s loss to a Braves’ Rule V claim. His final healthy season, he led all of the minor leagues in strikeouts – 175 in 157 innings. When hurt, he had a 1.41 ERA and only 33 hits allowed over 70. Those kind of numbers, even if he only approaches, post-rehab, mean he is sumpin’ special. Could be ready to pitch in July.
19. Jace Peterson (6-0, 205) INF (NR) A supplemental first-rounder out of McNeese State, he was a standout cornerback in football as well, giving you a good handle on his athleticism. His 2013 season had him among Cal League leaders in average (.303), triples (13) and stolen bases (42). He earned his first MLB at-bats (.113) by hitting a combined .307. Walks as much as he strikes out.
20. Wes Parsons (6-5, 190) RHP (15) The rare success story out of the just-deposed player development, he struggled in the Carolina League (4-7, 5.68) after a 7-7 emergence at Rome. Still only 22, Parsons could get back on track this year at either Carolina or Mississippi.
21. Joey Meneses (6-3, 190) 1B (16) A torrid start moved him to Rome in less than a week, but after missing three full months due to left wrist injury, his power was nowhere to be found the final month of the season. He hit eight homers in his first two months. But age (22) is on his side.
22. Dustin Peterson (6-2, 180) 3B (NR) The pickup from the Padres turned 20 in September, and the hope is maturity = homers, and he hit 10 for Fort Wayne at age 19. Also had 31 doubles and 79 RBIs in his first full pro season.
23. Kyle Kinman (5-11, 185) LHP (13) He turned pro at the advanced age of 23, but that maturity was put to good use. Almost immediately, he claimed the closer role for Danville with spectacular results. There were only four saves, but he additionally had a 3-0 record, a 2.43 ERA, 43 strikeouts, six walks and only two wild pitches in 30 innings. Could easily be in the Carolina closer’s role this year.
24. Andrew Thurman (6-3, 225) RHP (NR) Putting Thurman this high speaks volumes on how weak the Braves’ system has gotten. The “Friday” starter for Cal-Irvine, he was taken in the second-round in 2013. The right-hander made 26 appearances (20 starts) with Class A Quad Cities in 2014, going 7-9 with a 5.38 ERA. The 23-year-old's advanced metrics were more impressive -- he posted a 3.74 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) -- and he struck out 107 over 115 1/3 innings
25. Brandon Cunniff (6-0, 185) RHP (20) One of the more polarizing players in the system; I love his stats and his potential (OK, call it karma). The sidearmer has now survived an AFL season and now, after five pro seasons with the Marlins, Braves and various indy clubs, he is 14-0, 1.74 with 33 saves and 287 strikeouts in 237 innings. Is he ready for prime time? The debate continues.
26. Chad Sobotka (6-7, 200) RHP (NR) It would help tremendously to actually see him pitch against live hitting, but we hear now that he is healthy after being unable to play (back fracture) when drafted. But the Braves were hyped to announce his original signing and we share their sense of anticipation.
27. Max Povse (6-8, 185) RHP (10) A successful pro debut (4-2, 3.42) behind him, the tallest Braves prospect was a quick, easy sign and wasted no time living the dream. He’ll likely begin 2015 in Rome and if he proves to be efficient eating innings, it would not surprise to see him end the season in Double-A.
28. Mallex Smith (5-9, 170) OF (NR) People tend to forget that the 1-2 punch of Peraza and the long-departed Kyle Wren was the Braves’ first real attempt to turn stolen bases into a weapon again. Smith’s 88 steals last year led all of minor league baseball and followed up a 64-steal season in 2013, his first full pro season.
29. Jordan Edgerton (6-1, 190) 3B (17) Literally, too hot to live – or to sustain. In his first 16 professional games, the third baseman drove in 24 runs with only four strikeouts. But then came July, and the light switch went off as suddenly as it arrived – in no small part that opponents began pitching around him (four intentional walks). But he found a happy medium and drove in 43 runs in 59 games. Had 29 walks to 34 strikeouts.
30. Blair Walters (6-0, 200) LHP (NR) Last year’s indy steal, this year’s …what? The Frontier League all-star starter and winner, he was signed by the Braves immediately thereafter and led Lynchburg into the playoffs like Robert Preston in the Music Man; 6-1, 2.33 and the Game One starter. Still only 25, the Braves would be nuts to not take a longer look at this guy. A Hawaii product!
STILL HERE: Daniel Castro, Victor Reyes, Edwin Salcedo, Garrett Fulenchek, Josh Elander, Luis Merejo, Todd Cunningham, Matt Lipka, Connor Lein, Fernelys Sanchez, Mauricio Cabrera, Williams Perez.
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Originally Posted by skillet
