Breakout and Bust Prospects- 2016 Predictions

[smootness]

That's always a risk with a speedy, slap hitter. It's not always easy to tell from stats how many of their hits are legitimate knocks and how many are the result of inferior minor league defenders not making plays that are routine for major leaguers.

Here's my thing on Mallex, the guy's always hit. He destroyed AA last year earning a promotion. At AAA he got off to a really, really slow start but made adjustments and started raking again. He hit .336 in the month of August. Plus, he's almost always had a double digit BB% which is huge for a guy with his skill set.

To me he looks like a Juan Pierre or Dee Gordon clone. With maybe a better batting eye than either.

Honestly, I'm just basing it on the scouting reports, which don't seem to like his swing at all. Most seem to believe his average will see a severe drop once he hits the majors. We'll see if that's the case, but that's why I think he's one our better chances to 'bust'.

Gordon was a top-30 prospect at one point, while Mallex has never sniffed the top 100, and I think there's a reason for that.

So this is a 'bust' more in the eyes of many Braves fans.

 

[dak]

Stock up after 2016: Rio Ruiz, John Gant
Stock down after 2016: Sean Newcomb, Braxton Davidson

 

[praeceps93]

Honestly, I'm just basing it on the scouting reports, which don't seem to like his swing at all. Most seem to believe his average will see a severe drop once he hits the majors. We'll see if that's the case, but that's why I think he's one our better chances to 'bust'.

Gordon was a top-30 prospect at one point, while Mallex has never sniffed the top 100, and I think there's a reason for that.

So this is a 'bust' more in the eyes of many Braves fans.

Some guys were never highly touted and end up being solid players. Ender Inciarte, for one. I personally think Mallex will produce in a big way, and the precedent is there for unheralded guys to make big jumps, but I also respect the hesitance.

 

[buck75]

All good: everyone is breaking out in 2016.

 

[smootness]

Some guys were never highly touted and end up being solid players. Ender Inciarte, for one. I personally think Mallex will produce in a big way, and the precedent is there for unheralded guys to make big jumps, but I also respect the hesitance.

I obviously get this. I was just saying that if we're talking about listing our guys who have the biggest chance of busting, I'm picking the guy that scouts seem lower on than many Braves fans. Just seems like a decent bet.