COUNTDOWN COMPLETED: Atlanta's Top 50 Prospects Listed

[rico43]

This is my final list, which evolved substantially from the time I began the countdown until Saturday, when Bob Horner finally emerged as the No. 1 Braves prospect of all time.

A total of 66 bios were written, and the list below now includes links to all of them to save time should you want to give a few a read. Also we welcome your critiques of the list now that it's final.

Thanks for all who have provided input so far.


Incomplete (still building on their legend)
In Alphabetical Order...
A. Ozzie Albies LINK
B. Kolby Allard LINK
C. Ian Anderson LINK
D. Mauricio Cabrera LINK
E. Kevin Maitan LINK

How The Hell Did I Forget About...?
Brett Butler LINK
Yunel Escobar LINK

Top 50 Rankings

1. Bob Horner LINK
2. Andruw Jones LINK
3. Chipper Jones LINK
4. Jeff Francoeur LINK
5. Steve Avery LINK
6. Rafael Furcal LINK
7. Brad Komminsk LINK
8. Dale Murphy LINK
9. Jason Heyward LINK
10. Freddie Freeman LINK
11. Brian McCann LINK
12. Kent Mercker LINK
13. Ralph Garr LINK
14. Elvis Andrus LINK
15. Craig Kimbrel LINK
15a. Mark Wohlers LINK
16. Andy Marte LINK
17. Andrelton Simmons LINK
18. Tom Glavine LINK
19. Javier Lopez LINK
20. Wilson Betemit LINK
21. Jose Peraza LINK
22. Mike McQueen LINK
23. Tommy Hanson LINK
24. Julio Teheran LINK
25. Ryan Klesko LINK
26. Mike Kelly LINK
27. Dusty Baker LINK
28. Ron Gant LINK
29. Bruce Chen LINK
30. Adam Wainwright LINK
31. Christian Bethancourt LINK
32. Marcus Giles LINK
33. Derek Lilliquist LINK
34. Jason Schmidt LINK
35. David Justice LINK
36. Earl Williams LINK
37. Rod Gilbreath LINK
38. Jermaine Dye LINK
39. Jordan Schafer LINK
40. George Lombard LINK
41. Tyler Houston LINK
42. Glenn Williams LINK
43. David Nied LINK
44. Jim Breazeale LINK
45. Jason Marquis LINK
46. Neftali Feliz LINK
47. Preston Hanna LINK
48. Pat Rockett LINK
49. Scott Thorman LINK
50. Jose Capellan LINK
51. Jarrod Saltalamacchia LINK
52. Damian Moss LINK
53. Matt Belisle LINK
54. Craig McMurtry LINK
55. Ken Dayley LINK
56. Taylor Duncan LINK
57. Alex Wood LINK
58. Terrell Wade LINK

[cajunrevenge]

There are no wrong answers in a list like this, just differences of opinion. I don't know much of anything about prospects prior to 95 or so.

[rico43]

There are no wrong answers in a list like this, just differences of opinion. I don't know much of anything about prospects prior to 95 or so.

I was learning, and re-learning, about a lot of these guys myself. Hope you give the older guys a read; some amazing stories.

[striker42]

Scott Thorman. Man was he a disappointment. I was really high on him. The guy just looked like a slugger. Never could make the transition from AAA to the majors.

[rico43]

Moved this for ready reference. All bios wind up on their own sub-heading above.

[thewupk]

I was learning, and re-learning, about a lot of these guys myself. Hope you give the older guys a read; some amazing stories.

Like the majority of posters here, I assume, my knowledge of the Braves comes from the 90's dynasty onward. With that being said I do like reading the stories of the older players especially today's with Rod Gilbreath. Good to know that players like that still stick in the organization and make a career out of baseball.

[rico43]

Any major complaints so far?

[nsacpi]

Any major complaints so far?

Just curious, but how far back in time are you going in putting together the list.

[50PoundHead]

Any major complaints so far?

I think you have Earl Williams way too low. I hope you have Ralph Garr in there.

[Slippyjms]

Where is Joey Devine

[rico43]

[QUOTE=Slippyjms;367881]Where is Joey Devine[/QUOTE

Sitting with Kyle Davies and John Rocker waiting for the phone to ring.

[rico43]

Three to go. Place your bets. I promise I will not change their order.

[smootness]

1. Andruw
2. Chipper
3. Horner

At least, that's the way I would have them. I would move Horner above Chipper, but he spent so little time as an actual prospect.

[bravesfanMatt]

1. Andruw
2. Chipper
3. Horner

At least, that's the way I would have them. I would move Horner above Chipper, but he spent so little time as an actual prospect.

Yup. I would put chipper first though.

[thewupk]

1. Andruw
2. Chipper
3. Horner

At least, that's the way I would have them. I would move Horner above Chipper, but he spent so little time as an actual prospect.

I agree. Initial thought had Aaron but realized this is for just Atlanta.

It's crazy to look at the BA top 100 list in the early to mid 90's.

Chipper was 4th in 92, 1st in 93, 2nd in 94, and 3rd in 95. Then Andruw took over and was #1 in 96, and #1 in 97.

To me Andruw is one of the best prospects of all-time in baseball not just for the Braves. In the Baseball America era I would say he and Arod top that list.

[Slippyjms]

People I feel like were noticeable omissions include Kevin Milwood, Adam LaRoche, Joey Devine and since Thorman is on the list I'd also have to say Mike Hessman. In addition Marte and Betemit are both top 10 prospects. Lopez and McCann also need to swap spots on the list.

[rico43]

THought you guys told me that the discussion would follow once all the players were listed. Instead, seems like you've already moved on. Thanks to those who did give me something to work with.

[bravesfanMatt]

THought you guys told me that the discussion would follow once all the players were listed. Instead, seems like you've already moved on. Thanks to those who did give me something to work with.

We have attention spans of fleas. You have to understand that. I do think you should have popped the list out on Sunday prior to spring start. Gives us more to talk about for that long ass week.

[Horsehide Harry]

THought you guys told me that the discussion would follow once all the players were listed. Instead, seems like you've already moved on. Thanks to those who did give me something to work with.

From my POV, it appears your list was somewhat a mixture of internal hype (Braves franchise, fan awareness, etc.), external hype (ratings by external organizations and individuals such as BA, Callis, etc.), trade value if traded, star factor, combustibility, bust factor and fan euphoria or ultimate depression. In other words it looks very subjective, informed by various inputs of differing weights spiced by certain amounts of hype. Which is ok, since it IS your list.

Overall, I don't have a lot of huge issues.

I think I would have had Horner MUCH lower simply because he was never much of a professional prospect since he went from college player to MLB rookie. I would have had Bethancourt MUCH higher, even though he busted, because he was talked about as catcher of the future essentially from the day he signed.

Overall a solid list and an outstanding effort.

[rico43]

I think I would have had Horner MUCH lower simply because he was never much of a professional prospect since he went from college player to MLB rookie.

Overall a solid list and an outstanding effort.

Addressing the Horner problem; how can he be a prospect if he were never in the minors? DId the Braves think they were drafting a big leaguer or intended to move him directly to Atlanta? That would be no, as he and agent Scott Boras pushed for it.
Consider that he was named to the FIRST college baseball Hall of Fame class. I think there were maybe six on that list of the first class. Considering the program he came from, his credentials speak to the fact he was a truly spectacular college player. I have no info as to why he was not drafted out of high school; perhaps he already had Boras on board to screen suitors.

As for my criteria, his was an original Braves recruit, one who generated tremendous acclaim (buzz!) upon his arrival. From my end, it is foolish to say he was too good to be a prospect.