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. Look for new installments every Monday and Friday until all players officially report on February 17.
Second base is a position of strength in the major leagues, but minor league middle infield depth as a whole is still an area of concern as the organization finally starts to emerge from the shadow of international signing sanctions in July.
ATLANTA BRAVES
STARTER: Ozzie Albies
After a 2018 campaign that saw 23-year-old Albies establish himself definitively as a major league starter but also generate some concern given that his lack of second half production, Albies signed a team-friendly contract extension that could guarantee that he will be a Brave through his age 30 season. He then went about 2019 making that contract look like the biggest team bargain of the 21st century by improving his OPS by almost 100 points, hitting 24 home runs for the second year in a row, leading the National League in hits, and winning his first Silver Slugger Award.
Albies avoided the long slumps that frustrated fans in 2018, though he still showed significant splits between his left- and right-handed swings. Against left-handed pitchers Albies is essentially Mike Trout, hitting .389/.414/.685 with 11 of his home runs. Against righties, Albies is a still-solid .267/.334/.444; continued improvement against right-handers could mean we still haven’t seen the best that Albies could provide and MVP consideration could be in the cards. Albies is a slick fielder with a stronger arm than typical for a second baseman, allowing him to play deep on shifts.
Back-up: Though mostly known as a shortstop, Adeiny Hechavarria logged over 200 innings at second base in 2019 and will be the primary back-up this season. If necessary Johan Camargo could also move over to second base, and Charlie Culberson is also an option.
GWINNETT STRIPERS (CLASS AAA)
STARTER: Riley Unroe
A minor league Rule 5 draftee last season, the Braves have to be delighted with what Unroe provided last year, playing all four infield positions at different points last year and hitting a career-best .281/.361/.403 with a career-high 9 home runs. While Unroe can handle all of the infield positions, his arm is best suited for second base. That said, there is enough positional flexibility on the roster for manager Damon Berryhill to deploy his personnel in a variety of ways.
Back-up: Jack Lopez will return to the Stripers after setting a career high in home runs last season with 12 and playing competently at all 3 infield skill positions. If Charlie Culberson doesn’t make the major league squad, I would expect him to get most of the playing time here with Unroe back in Mississippi. Then there’s the reliable and steady Sean Kazmar, who can back up all over the diamond but is probably best suited defensively at second. Finally, this year’s minor league Rule 5 draft pick Wendell Rijo could see time here as well, depending on where Culberson and Austin Riley start the season.
MISSISSIPPI BRAVES (CLASS AA)
STARTER: Riley Delgado
Down in a game when you only need a single to win it, there’s not many players in the Braves minor leagues that engender more confidence than Riley Delgado. Delgado has some of the best ball-to-bat skills in the system, and is comfortable going to all fields. What he doesn’t have is either power or speed, so he will have to keep spraying the ball to “where they ain’t”. Defensively he’s mostly played shortstop since joining the organization as a 9th-rounder in 2017. He’s steady at any infield position, but based on arm strength he’s probably best suited at second base. Given the likely presence of 2019 first-rounder Braden Shewmake at shortstop for Mississippi to start 2020, Delgado seems more likely to man second.
Back-up: If Wendell Rijo doesn’t start the season in Gwinnett, it seems likely he will be the primary infield back-up in Mississippi. Last season’s starter at second base, Alejandro Salazar, also is still in the organization and could play a role. Utility infielder Kevin Josephina, like Delgado one of the top hitters on the 2019 Florida Fire Frogs, is also a possibility for promotion.
FLORIDA FIRE FROGS (CLASS A+)
STARTER: Greg Cullen
One of the top hitters on the 2019 Rome Braves, Cullen is a sure bet for a promotion in 2020. Cullen uses a line-drive stroke and plus plate discipline to get on base, traits that should help him in the offensively stunted environment of the Florida State League. There may be more power in the bat to unlock as well. Cullen is a solid defender as well. The Braves may want to see Cullen moved around the diamond to determine if he could have some future value as a bat-first utility infielder.
Back-up: There’s several possibilities here, including incumbent Fire Frogs starting second baseman Brett Langhorne, utilityman Jordan Rodgers, and Kevin Josephina if he doesn’t get the Opening Day bump up to Mississippi. Braulio Vasquez and Ariel Montesino were utility infielders in Rome in 2019 that could also be in the mix for a reserve role here. These players will all go into spring training looking to turn some heads, because it seems likely roster attrition could come to this group soon.
ROME BRAVES (CLASS A)
STARTER: Cody Milligan
A high-motor former college catcher, Milligan is likely to see time at or near the top of the Rome Braves line-up in 2020. Milligan uses an opposite field approach to try to shoot the ball in gaps while also taking his fair share of walks. That’s an approach that will likely work in the South Atlantic League, but expect the Braves to try to get Milligan to pull the ball a little bit more and try to limit groundballs.
Back-up: Neither one of Braulio Vasquez or Ariel Montesino did much to distinguish themselves in limited opportunities for Rome in 2019, and either or both could return in 2020. Also a possibility here are young shortstops Juan Morales or Carlos Paraguate, both who saw time with Rome last season and will be fighting for a roster spot. Danville utilityman Garrett Saunders made a good impression last season at multiple positions and could be in line for a promotion.
ROOKIE LEAGUES
Eliezel Stevens
Stevens spent the last two seasons in the DSL and GCL respectively, showing good bat speed and the possibility of adding power as his body matures (he just turned 19 years old). Pitch recognition is an issue, and that will have to be improved upon before he challenges for a spot in full-season ball.
Geraldo Quintero
A stand-out offensive performer in the DSL in 2019, look for Quintero to make his stateside debut in 2020. Quintero utilized his speed and his opponent’s wildness to get on base at a .379 clip last season. He shows good bat-to-ball skills but hurts himself with infield pop-ups.
Second Base Depth Chart
- Ozzie Albies
- Johan Camargo
- Charlie Culberson
- Jack Lopez
- Sean Kazmar
- Alejandro Salazar
- Riley Delgado
- Wendell Rijo
- Alejandro Salazar
- Greg Cullen
- Kevin Josephina
- Brett Langhorne
- Jordan Rodgers
- Cody Milligan
- Braulio Vasquez
- Ariel Montesino
- Eliezel Stevens
- Geraldo Quintero
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