Braves System Depth 2019: Third Base

 

 

Spring training is just a month away, and though there will be acquisitions before (and possibly after) pitchers and catchers report, this series will take a look at the players mostly likely to suit up at each level of the organization.

It was only a little over seven months ago that the Braves were so concerned about the third base position that Jose Bautista was snagged off the unemployed free agent camp to play the position, which he hadn’t manned regularly since 2010, taking over from the slumping… Ryan Flaherty, who was picked up in the closing days of spring training after being cut by the Phillies. Projected starter Johan Camargo had gotten hurt in spring training, and new Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos was admittedly not sold on him at the time anyway. Camargo would take control of third base by the end of May and play well through the rest of the season. Nevertheless, Anthopoulos elected to upgrade the position with a rare big-money free agent signing.

Also in this series:
First Base | Second Base | Shortstop | Catcher | Centerfield | Corner Outfield | Starting Pitcher

 

ATLANTA BRAVES

STARTER: Josh Donaldson

Donaldson joins the Braves on a one-year contract that as of the time of this writing is the largest amount of money ever committed to a baseball player for one season’s worth of work. The 2015 American League MVP is coming off two consecutive injury-marred seasons. In 2017, Donaldson had issues with his right calf that limited him to 113 games after 4 consecutive seasons of playing in at least 155. His production was still strong enough that he received some MVP votes, but last year he started the season with a shoulder injury that cost him most of his April. After he returned from that, he suffered an injury to his left calf that, unbeknownst to him or the Blue Jays at the time would signal the end of his career with the team. Just as he was about to return to action he was traded to the Cleveland Indians at the deadline. Donaldson would get hot in Cleveland, batting .280/.400/.520 in his final 16 games of the regular season.

Now 33 years old, Donaldson is looking to prove to the major leagues that his injuries were not indicative of how his career will be going forward and jumped at the opportunity provided by a short-term contract with a high single-year value; Donaldson was essentially the first major free agent to sign in the current off-season. If healthy, fans can pencil him in ~30 home runs and +.350 OBPs while hitting out of his preferred #2 spot in the order, likely nestled between reigning Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuña and slugger Freddie Freeman.

Back-up: Johan Camargo proved last year that he was a starting-caliber major leaguer, swatting 19 home runs with a .272/.349/.457 batting line and strong defense at the hot corner. While Camargo doesn’t enter the season with a set position, his defensive flexibility should have him on the field almost every night. Even if Donaldson remains healthy all season, he will be given days off to help keep him fresh and healthy down the stretch.

GWINNETT STRIPERS (CLASS AAA)

 STARTER: Austin Riley

The top Braves position player prospect close to the majors, Riley has worked diligently over the last two years to remake his body and hitting approach. The results have been strong as he has gone from having a questionable future at third base after his 2016 season in Rome to now being considered an above average fielder at the hot corner. At the plate he makes harder contact than ever before, and if not for a knee injury that kept him out of the line-up for a month he would have easily lead Braves minor leaguers in homers. Perhaps most encouraging is his improvement in situational hitting; he thrives in RBI opportunities as you would want from a middle-of-the-order bat.

The main concern with Riley is that his strikeout rate hovered a little too close to 30% for comfort, finishing at 28.4% between the AA and AAA levels. While that isn’t a ridiculous strikeout rate for a slugger in these times, lowering that rate just a few points probably increases the drumbeat for bringing him up to the majors. The acquisition of Donaldson and the continued presence of Camargo may buy him time at honing his craft at AAA, and Riley will just turn 22 right around Opening Day so there isn’t a big hurry. A conversion to the outfield is not outside the realm of possibility however, especially if the Braves are unsuccessful in acquiring anyone else for the position. Riley has the athleticism and arm to conclude he could be at least an average defensive corner outfielder given the opportunity.

Back-up: Luis Valenzuela was acquired back in 2015 in the Jonny Gomes trade and has been a solid minor league utility player, occasionally pressed into starting duties. While second base seems to be his best position, he can hold his own at third base. If Valenzuela doesn’t get promoted from AA Mississippi, back-up third base can be handled by veteran Pedro Florimon. If Riley starts to see significant playing time in the outfield in prepare him for a possible role in Atlanta in 2019, Florimon would likely be the starting third baseman.

 

MISSISSIPPI BRAVES (CLASS AA)

STARTER: Riley Unroe

It’s odd to pencil in a minor league Rule 5 pick as a starter for the AA team, but unless the Braves make a signing or promote C.J. Alexander (see below) for Opening Day, that’s the way things are shaping up. Unroe was a 2nd-round pick by the Rays back in 2013, and because he was one of the youngest players in that draft he’s still only 23 years old. Unroe has made his mark by being a reliable defender at multiple positions, though below average range makes him a stretch at shortstop. His solid pitch recognition and bat-to-ball skills however have been sabotaged by his ground-ball tendencies, and he doesn’t have the foot-speed to make that game work for him. He was a Rule 5 pick last year by the Angels and he played all season with the AA Mobile BaySox, so Unroe is no stranger to the Southern League. Perhaps Mississippi hitting coach Carlos Mendez will be the one to help unlock Unroe’s offensive game.

Back-up: Riley Unroe is the son of former major leaguer Tim Unroe, and Daniel Lockhart is the son of former major leaguer Keith Lockhart so there’s a chance that Mississippi’s third base situation may be completely handled by second-generation players. Lockhart was signed to a minor league contract before the 2018 season and saw action at first and second, but spent most of his time at third base. Alejandro Salazar also could move from second to third if necessary.

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FLORIDA FIRE FROGS (CLASS A+)

STARTER: C.J. Alexander

There is probably a 50/50 chance that Alexander will open the season at Mississippi rather than Florida, but I’m going to be conservative with this call. In any case, even if he does start 2019 as a Fire Frog, if he continues the blistering offensive pace he set in his first professional year, he won’t say in Kissimmee for long. Alexander showed a far better hit tool than anticipated after being selected in the 20th round by Atlanta in the 2018 draft, hitting .352/.429/.495 across three levels while skipping Rome along the way. Alexander also showed out better at third base, displaying at least average range and hands as well as a good arm. There is more power potential in his bat than fans have seen so far, and getting that power into games will be Job One for Alexander this season.

Back-up: Former Tennessee starting third baseman Jordan Rodgers would likely back-up at both second and third. Rodgers had a difficult offensive season in 2018 thanks to some over-aggressiveness at the plate that causes him to make too much weak contact. Being more selective could allow him to get into better counts where he can use his gap power to drive the ball more. Kurt Hoekstra, a 2015 draft pick that has played primarily first base in his minor league career, can also hold his own here, as could 2018 draft pick Brendan Venter if he is promoted to Florida.

 

ROME BRAVES (CLASS A)

STARTER: Ray Hernandez

Hernandez was one of the top sluggers on the GCL Braves and a jump up to full-season ball seems likely for the 22-year-old. After acquitting himself well at first base in 2018, there’s a chance the Braves may elect to keep him there; at third, Hernandez would be in the mix for playing time with Brendan Venter, Braulio Vasquez, and perhaps eventually 17-year-old Darling Florentino. With a strong spring training there’s also a possibility Hernandez could start the season with the Fire Frogs, a more likely scenario if C.J. Alexander starts the season in Mississippi. In any case, Hernandez should bring some steady power in whichever line-up he ends up in.

Back-up: There several possibilities here that include Brendan Venter… if he’s not starting at first base or playing in Florida. There’s also multi-positional 2018 draft picks such as Brett Langhorne or Michael Mateja, as well as prospect Braulio Vasquez and reserve infielder Luis Mejia.

 

Third Base Depth Chart

1. Josh Donaldson
   • Johan Camargo
   • Charlie Culberson
2. Austin Riley
   • Luis Valenzuela
   • Pedro Florimon
3. Riley Unroe
   • Daniel Lockhart
   • Alejandro Salazar
4. C.J. Alexander
   • Jordan Rodgers
   • Kurt Hoekstra
5. Ray Hernandez
   • Brendan Venter
   • Brett Langhorne
   • Michael Mateja

OFR TOP 5 THIRD BASE PROSPECT RANKINGS:

1. Austin Riley (OFR #3)
2. C.J. Alexander (OFR #16)
3. Ray Hernandez
4. Braulio Vasquez
5. Brendan Venter