Typically around this time of the year, we would publish a Mid-Season Prospect Update to reflect on changes to prospects that we’ve seen after a spring and a few months of minor league action. In the Bizarro World of 2020 however, what normally would be mid-season is now the week before Opening Day and prospect development has essentially come to a standstill as the minor league season was completely cancelled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. That has left minor leaguers scrambling to work out on their own, in private baseball centers around the country or on makeshift pitching mounds in their own backyards.
As such, data points to evaluate prospect development are nearly non-existent. That makes two data points extremely important: proximity to the major leagues and age. Age is the one “stat” that continues to accumulate no matter what, and a year without advancing does a lot of damage to the chances of older prospects in the lower and mid-levels of the organization. Most of the prospects that you will see moving up on our list are younger players drafted in 2019 and players closer to the majors already.
In addition, I have taken a best-guess on the 2020 draft picks and where they would place in the organization. Placement of these players is mostly through scouting of publicly available video and public comments by Braves officials.
Without further ado, here on the eve of the start of perhaps the craziest season in the history of pro baseball in this country, here’s the list. Since this is essentially now a preview of 2021, all of the ages listed below are ages as of April 1, 2021, next year’s Opening Day — if the fates align.
1. Cristian Pache, OF
Age: 22 | Bats: R
2019: .277/.340/.462 | 126 wRC+ | 12 HR | 8 SB | 8.0 BB% | 22.7 K% (AA/AAA)
Current Assignment: AAA Gwinnett (on 40-man roster)
Acquired: International Amateur Free Agent – 2015
Prior Ranking: 1
Nothing seen from Pache in either Spring Training 1.0 or 2.0 this year has shaken faith in his #1 standing. He’s come a long way from the skinny 18-year-old who would ground out at over a 50% clip for Rome only two seasons ago. Pache now shows a quick, violent stroke that does damage thanks to what looks to be about 20 pounds of added muscle. Pache has long been one of if not the top defensive outfielders in the organization and should take over center field at SunTruist Park within the next 10 months. Even with the abbreviated 60-game schedule, it seems almost assured that he will make his major league debut sometime this year.
2. Ian Anderson, RHP
Age: 22 | Throws: R
2019: 3.38 ERA | 3.55 FIP | 26 G, 26 GS | 135.2 IP | 4.31 BB/9 | 11.41 K/9 (AA/AAA)
Current Assignment: AA Mississippi
Acquired: Drafted, 1st Round – 2016
Prior Ranking: 3
A strong showing in Spring Training 1.0 puts Anderson up a notch on the list. In the very short sample of the spring Anderson showed a willingness to challenge hitters directly with good command, the one blip in his scouting report from last season. It’s possible Anderson makes his major league debut before the conclusion of the 2020 season, but a surer bet would be that continued good work at the team’s Alternate Player Pool site in Gwinnett puts him squarely in the running for a shot at the 2021 rotation.
3. Drew Waters, OF
Age: 22 | Bats: S
2019: .309/.360/.459 | 132 wRC+ | 7 HR | 16 SB | 6.8% BB | 28.6% K (AA/AAA)
Current Assignment: AAA Gwinnett
Acquired: Drafted, 2nd Round – 2017
Prior Ranking: 2
Waters is still the same tool-shed of a player he was when we placed him at #2 on our prospect list in November. A 4-for-26 spring with 14 punch outs crystallized the work he still has to do in order to be competitive with major league pitching however. Waters’ free-swinging approach hasn’t hurt him in the minor leagues to this point because of his strong bat control, but he will need to make adjustments in order to produce against experienced pitchers. Waters still projects for a 2021 debut, and an eventual Waters/Pache/Acuña outfield is something all Braves fans should be looking forward to. A brief look at Waters in the recent exhibition games against the Marlins has revealed a taller, more muscular young man; we’ll see if the more solidly put-together body pays dividends between the lines.
4. Kyle Wright, RHP
Age: 25 | Throws: R
2019: 4.17 ERA | 4.32 FIP | 21 G, 21 GS | 112.1 IP | 2.80 BB/9 | 9.29 K/9 (AAA)
Current Assignment: MLB Atlanta (on 40-man roster)
Acquired: Drafted, 1st Round – 2017
Prior Ranking: 4
Few pitchers in Braves camp this spring impressed more than Kyle Wright. Wright built off an impressive second half of 2019 that culminated in three impressive relief outings for Atlanta in September. Wright was a favorite to win a starting rotation spot coming into Spring Training 2.0, but contact with a COVID-19 positive individual had him stuck in quarantine as the workouts began. Fortunately he seems to have recovered in time to make the Braves rotation at the start of the 2020 season. Wright has an impressive four-pitch arsenal, with a mid-90s fastball that has good arm-side run and a sharp-breaking curve his best offerings.
5. William Contreras, C
Age: 23 | Bats: R
2019: .255/.315/.354 | 98 wRC+ | 6 HR | 0 SB | 7.0% BB | 20.2% K (A+/AA)
Current Assignment: AAA Gwinnett (on 40-man roster)
Acquired: International Amateur Free Agent – 2015
Prior Ranking: 7
One of the stars of Spring Training 2.0 has been Contreras, who has shown improved plate mechanics that has allowed him to show out in intrasquad games. Contreras looks to have slightly lowered his hands and calmed the previously violent pre-swing rocking. The overall effect is a more controlled swing that attacks the ball, allowing his strong wrists to work. Contreras has always had potential plus power, and now looks to be able to bring it into games more often. He has placed himself firmly into the likelihood of a 2020 debut, and may be the first choice to the majors over Alex Jackson if one of the Braves main catchers, Travis d’Arnaud or Tyler Flowers, has to miss time.
6. Shea Langeliers, C
Age: 23 | Bats: R
2019: .255/.310/.343 | 92 wRC+ | 2 HR | 0 SB | 7.1% BB | 23.0% K (A)
Current Assignment: A Rome
Acquired: Drafted, 1st Round – 2019
Prior Ranking: 6
Braves coaches got their first real look at 2019 first-rounder Langeliers in Spring Training 1.0 and couldn’t stop raving about his plus-plus receiving skills. He showed up with a hot bat as well, helped with what looked like a slightly re-vamped swing that put the ball in the air a little more than what he showed up with at Rome. In prior years, having two strong catching prospects of approximate age would likely mean the trade of one or the other. The Braves however seem committed to an equal time-share approach, and if both young catchers show trustworthy it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Langeliers and Contreras could share duties in a potential very cheap and very productive arrangement by 2022.
7. Bryse Wilson, RHP
Age: 23 | Throws: R
2019: 3.42 ERA | 3.68 FIP | 21 G, 21 GS | 121.0 IP | 1.93 BB/9 | 8.78 K/9 (AAA)
Current Assignment: AAA Gwinnett (on 40-man roster)
Acquired: Drafted, 4th Round – 2016
Prior Ranking: 5
Going into spring training with an International League ERA title under his belt, Wilson was looking to show out well in a fifth-starter competition with Kyle Wright, Sean Newcomb, and veteran Felix Hernandez. Instead he was one of the first cuts as he was haunted by an old bugaboo — missing in the zone with straight fastballs after not being able to put hitters away with secondary pitches. This continued to be an issue in intrasquad appearances in Spring Training 2.0. Wilson’s stuff is just too good not for him to make progress on this issue, but there is now increased risk of a permanent relegation to bullpen duty. Wilson was left off of the final Opening Day roster, but figures to make his way back over the course of this season to provide a fresh arm as necessary.
8. Tucker Davidson, LHP
Age: 25 | Throws: L
2019: 2.15 ERA | 3.17 FIP | 25 G, 25 GS | 129.2 IP | 3.75 BB/9 | 9.30 K/9 (AA/AAA)
Current Assignment: AAA Gwinnett (on 40-man roster)
Acquired: Drafted, 19th Round — 2016
Prior Ranking: 11
Davidson has been impressive in both phases of spring training and has positioned himself to be a contributor on the Atlanta pitching staff in some capacity with the expanded rosters. In most systems, Davidson would be a top-5 prospect and securing a 5th-starter spot at this point with his 4-pitch repertoire, high-90s velocity, and 2019 Southern League ERA title. For Atlanta, he may be a long reliever when the season opens. Davidson is a tireless worker, and at this point no one should be surprised if he forces his way into a significant role with the big league Braves.
9. Michael Harris, OF
Age: 20 | Bats: S
.277/.344/.393 | 114 wRC+ | 2 HR | 8 SB | 8.5% BB | 19.8% K (Rk GCL/A)
Current Assignment: A Rome
Acquired: Drafted, 3rd Round – 2019
Prior Ranking: 14
Harris impressed in 2019 with his raw tools and maturity. Comfortable in center field and showing potential plus raw power, the organization signaled their regard for Harris by placing him in the 60-man player pool during Spring Training 2.0 so he can work out with the team. Harris has not only impressed with his tools, but he shows good baseball IQ and coachability. The loss of the 2020 minor league season wasn’t good for anyone of course, but thanks to his advanced development and his age, Harris may be the least affected of the Braves top prospects.
10. Braden Shewmake, SS
Age: 23 | Bats: L
2019: .300/.371/.425 | 133 wRC+ | 3 HR | 13 SB | 9.0% BB | 14.4% K (A/AA)
Current Assignment: AA Mississippi
Acquired: Drafted, 1st Round – 2019
Prior Ranking: 9
A solid showing from Shewmake in his first major league camp did nothing to hamper the feeling that the organization is very high on him. The glove at shortstop was better than advertised in his playing time with Rome and he showed good plate awareness. His limited exposure to advanced pitching in both parts of spring training however shows that he still has plenty to work on, but if anything were to keep Dansby Swanson out of the line-up for any length of time, it wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility that Atlanta would turn shortstop over to Shewmake to hold down the fort defensively while allowing him to cut his teeth against big-league pitchers.
11. Jared Shuster, LHP
Age: 22 | Throws: L
2020: 3.76 ERA | -2.32 FIP | 4 G, 4 GS | 26.1 IP | 1.37 BB/9 | 14.83 K/9 (ACC)
Current Assignment: Rk GCL
Acquired: Drafted, 1st Round – 2020
Prior Ranking: N/A
The first of the incoming class of 2020, Shuster raised his draft profile by posting eye-popping numbers in the wood-bat Cape Cod League last summer, followed up by an impressive, albeit abbreviated 2020 campaign at Wake Forest. Beyond the production, Shuster showed an impressive increase in velocity from his freshman and sophomore seasons while also showing remarkably improved control. Video shows a solid pitcher’s body and impressively repeatable delivery that doesn’t seem max-effort. Look for the Braves to work with him to make his slurvy breaking pitch have more bite and create separation from an already above-average change-up. It’s cliché to say about every highly drafted college player that “they could move quickly through the organization”, but in Shuster’s case it has the ring of truth. He’s part of the 60-man player pool for this season, and while it’s highly unlikely that he will make his debut in 2020 he’s certainly on the fast track.
12. Jasseel De La Cruz, RHP
Age: 23 | Throws: R
2019: 3.25 ERA | 3.55 FIP | 25 G, 24 GS | 133.0 IP | 3.32 BB/9 | 8.19 K/9 (A/A+/AA)
Current Assignment: AAA Gwinnett (on 40-man roster)
Acquired: International Amateur Free Agent – 2015
Prior Ranking: 10
De La Cruz leapt up three rungs of the organizational ladder in 2019, was added to the 40-man roster last November, and performed well in his few looks in spring training. What De La Cruz needed most of all in 2020 was innings to work on his repertoire, and this lost season does him no favors. He has only gotten a quick look at big league camp in Spring Training 2.0, and while it’s possible that he will be called up for a major league debut (in a brutal 60-game season, including 20 games in a row to begin the season, it’s not unlikely that every pitcher on the 40-man roster could rotate through the bullpen at some point), it doesn’t seem like this is a priority for the organization at this time.
13. Kyle Muller, LHP
Age: 23 | Throws: L
2019: 3.14 ERA | 3.75 FIP | 22 G, 22 GS | 111.2 IP | 5.48 BB/9 | 9.67 K/9 (AA)
Current Assignment: AA Mississippi
Acquired: Drafted, 2nd Round – 2016
Prior Ranking: 8
Through intense off-season work, Muller has transformed his body from that of a tall, lanky lefty to a tall, muscle-bound lefty that has added significant velocity to his fastball and improved his prospect stock. What hasn’t come along with that is improved command or control, which was evident in his two spring training appearances. In the November list, colleague Matt Chrietzberg compared Muller to Sean Newcomb in a similar state of development, and I believe the comparison is apt. Muller, like Newcomb, clearly demonstrated the stuff to be a major leaguer during his AA campaign. The question will be if his control and command will allow him to hit his ceiling as a starter or will he cap out in the bullpen — questions that persist for Newcomb.
14. Patrick Weigel, RHP
Age: 26 | Throws: R
2019: 2.73 ERA | 5.14 FIP | 28 G, 18 GS | 79.0 IP | 4.67 BB/9 | 8.09 K/9 (AA/AAA)
Current Assignment: AAA Gwinnett (on 40-man roster)
Acquired: Drafted, 7th Round – 2015
Prior Ranking: 12
The lost 2020 season came at a particularly bad time for Weigel, who looks on the cusp of making the majors after returning from UCL surgery in 2019. A starter during most of his minor league career, Weigel’s future looks more likely to be in the bullpen for Atlanta and he performed that role well in college. If he is put in the bullpen full-time, don’t be surprised if he ends up in high-leverage roles given the level of his stuff and his competitiveness.
15. Huascar Ynoa, RHP
Age: 22 | Throws: R
2019: 5.09 ERA | 4.99 FIP | 26 G, 17 GS | 97.1 IP | 10.1 BB/9 | 24.8 K/9 (A+/AA/AAA)
Current Assignment: AAA Gwinnett (on 40-man roster)
Acquired: Trade w/Minnesota Twins – 2017
Prior Ranking: 15
Like De La Cruz, the 2020 shutdown did no favors for Ynoa who needs more than anything steady innings logged against high-level competition. Ynoa’s stuff — mid to high-90s fastball with life, good change-up, a slider that flashes plus when he can command it — is good enough to be starting pitching material, but for the short term he most likely will be needed in the bullpen in what is shaping up to be near-constant churn to get through the 60-game 2020 schedule.
16. Victor Vodnik, RHP
Age: 21 | Throws: R
2019: 2.94 ERA | 2.79 FIP | 23 G, 3 GS | 67.1 IP | 3.21 BB/9 | 9.22 K/9 (A)
Current Assignment: A Rome
Acquired: Drafted, 14th Round – 2018
Prior Ranking: 18
Possessing a sizzling fastball and a two potential plus secondaries, Vodnik would likely have made his way up to advanced-A in 2020 and hopefully worked more as a starter. As it is, he’s still plenty young enough to not let the lost year tarnish his potential, and there’s no reason to think the waiting into 2021 would be detrimental to him. His main concern should be on improving his command and coming up with a strategy to avoid the blister issues that were the only blight on his 2019 season.
17. Bryce Ball, 1B
Age: 22 | Bats: L
.329/.395/.628 | 173 wRC+ | 17 HR | 0 SB | 9.9% BB | 19.0% K (Rk+, A)
Current Assignment: A Rome
Acquired: Drafted, 24th Round – 2019
Prior Ranking: 21
Ball was a spring training non-roster invitee and generated notice with his size and his daily batting practice power displays. Despite being drafted out of college, Ball is on the young side of 22, having just turned the odometer on July 8. This takes some of the sting out of missing the 2020 minor league season, one where he likely would have ended up in AA Mississippi. What makes Ball exciting is his pure raw strength, which allows him to keep his swing free and easy since he doesn’t have to have perfect leverage to hit for power. He is comfortable going to all fields with authority and has shown good strike zone judgement so far.
18. Alex Jackson, C
Age: 25 | Bats: R
2019: .229/.313/533 | 109 wRC+ | 28 HR | 1 SB | 5.8% BB | 34.2% K (AAA)
Current Assignment: AAA Gwinnett (on 40-man roster)
Acquired: Trade w/Seattle Mariners – 2016
Prior Ranking: 16
Like William Contreras, Alex Jackson has gotten a lot of plate appearances in both spring trainings and the Braves have not made a move to acquire a veteran third catcher indicating they are satisfied enough in case of emergency that Jackson could perform well enough. Jackson has made tremendous strides with his defense and is still very strong and able to hit a ball out of any part of a ballpark. His contact issues continue to hold him back however, and nothing has to date has indicated that this will improve.
19. Vaughn Grissom, SS
Age: 20 | Bats: R
2019: .288/.361/.400 | 120 wRC+ | 3 HR | 3 SB | 8.7% BB | 14.7% K (Rk GCL)
Current Assignment: Rk GCL
Acquired: Drafted, 11th Round – 2019
Prior Ranking: 20
A recent addition to the 60-man player pool, Grissom was an overslot 11th-round pick in 2019 and his early results in the GCL showed why. Grissom has a power-hitter’s frame and should show more pop as he fills out. This is exciting because he already as advanced bat-to-ball skills. He plays a capable shortstop, but probably is a third baseman long-term.
20. Freddy Tarnok, RHP
Age: 22 | Throws: R
2019: 4.87 ERA | 3.72 FIP | 19 G, 19 GS | 98.0 IP | 3.31 BB/9 | 7.53 K/9 (A+)
Current Assignment: A+ Florida
Acquired: Drafted, 3rd Round – 2017
Prior Ranking: 23
Tarnok has one of the liveliest arms in the organization and late in 2019 started to demonstrate improved command as a starter. Like several other pitchers on this list, what Tarnok really needed was game experience. Instead, video has surfaced of him working on his mechanics and throwing 99 mph, something he did on occasion out of the bullpen with Rome in 2018. Tarnok has all the elements necessary to succeed, he simply needs time to put them all together.
21. Bryce Elder, RHP
Age: 21 | Throws: R
2020: 2.08 ERA | -1.15 FIP | 4 G, 4 GS | 26.0 IP | 2.43 BB/9 | 11.09 K/9 (Big 12)
Current Assignment: Rk GCL
Acquired: Drafted, 5th Round – 2020
Prior Ranking: N/A
It may seem odd to see a 5th-round draft pick placed this high and over higher-drafted players from the same class, but thanks to some tricky draft pool work the Braves were able to slide Elder down and get him to sign with an over-slot offer. Projected as a late 2nd to early 3rd round talent, Elder has an advanced repertoire developed at the University of Texas featuring a sinker/slider combo that gets plenty of groundouts, a pitching profile that Atlanta prioritized in its player acquisitions at all levels over the last several years. Elder could start as high as the advanced-A level in 2021.
22. Trey Harris, OF
Age: 25 | Bats: R
2019: .323/.389/.498 | 159 wRC+ | 14 HR | 8 SB | 6.9% BB | 17.3% K (A/A+/AA)
Current Assignment: AA Mississippi
Acquired: Drafted, 32nd Round – 2018
Prior Ranking: 13
No Braves prospect had more momentum in 2019 than Trey Harris, who has parlayed a 32nd-round selection into a quick rise through the organization in 2019, followed up with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, and then a big-league spring training invitation. A funny thing happened when Spring Training 2.0 rolled around however; he wasn’t included in the 60-man player pool. Though he may be added later, Harris needs steady work to maintain his standing in the organization with plenty of outfielders in front and behind him. Harris has no stand-out tool but is well-rounded at everything with plus work ethic and intangibles.
23. Tyler Owens, RHP
Age: 20 | Throws: R
2019: 4.28 ERA | 3.99 FIP | 10 G, 9 GS | 27.1 IP | 3.95 BB/9 | 10.54 K/9 (Rk GCL/Rk+)
Current Assignment: Rk Danville
Acquired: Drafted, 13th Round – 2019
Prior Ranking: 27
Another of the prep players drafted in 2019, Owens showed to have the most advanced repertoire of the group with a mid-90s fastball with life along with developing secondaries. Young enough that the cancelled 2020 should effect him too much, Owens was set to probably start in Rome and will presumably finally do so in 2021.
24. Jesse Franklin, OF
Age: 22 | Bats: L
2019: .262/.388/.477 | 13 HR | 4 SB | 15.8% BB | 16.7% K (Big Ten)
Current Assignment: Rk GCL
Acquired: Drafted, 3rd Round – 2020
Prior Ranking: N/A
Franklin was an underslot 3rd-round pick thanks to missing the entire 2020 collegiate season after suffering a broken collarbone in a skiing accident. This follows an injury-plagued 2019 season that saw his production at the University of Michigan suffer from a splendid freshman campaign. When healthy, Franklin has a solid all-round toolset, but Braves player development will need to work with him on his swing. He’s a solid fielder and baserunner and reportedly has a strong baseball IQ and leadership skills.
25. Kasey Kalich, RHP
Age: 22 | Throws: R
2019: 1.25 ERA | 2.80 FIP | 14 G, 0 GS | 21.1 IP | 4.57 BB/9 | 9.97 K/9 (Rk GCL/A)
Current Assignment: A Rome
Acquired: Drafted, 4th Round – 2019
Prior Ranking: 25
Kalich made quick work of the South Atlantic League in his first year as a pro. Relatively young for a college-drafted player, Kalich should pick right up where he left off. His high-90s fastball and sharp slider is tailor-made for high-leverage relief duties. Kalich suffered a broken wrist in an off-season weightlifting incident, and likely wouldn’t have pitched until late June at the earliest, though it may have cost Kalich a chance in the 60-man player pool. When play resumes he should start out in high-A Florida and then see where it goes from there.
26. Mahki Backstrom, 1B
Age: 19 | Bats: L
2019: .300/.402/.457 | 149 wRC+ | 2 HR | 1 SB | 14.6% BB | 32.9% K (Rk GCL)
Current Assignment: Rk GCL
Acquired: Drafted, 18th Round – 2019
Prior Ranking: 28
The youngest player on this list, Backstrom has a sweet left-handed swing that generates outstanding exit velocities. He’s farther behind the likes of draftmates Michael Harris and Vaughn Grissom in terms of strike zone awareness and defensive value, and it was more likely that he would have played back in the GCL or with Danville this year than Rome if the minor league season had progressed normally. Nevertheless the combination of physical tools, coachability, and age will have him climbing lists such as this.
27. Greyson Jenista, OF
Age: 24 | Bats: L
2019: .233/.318/.349 | 99 wRC+ | 9 HR | 3 SB | 11.1% BB | 29.8% K (A+/AA)
Current Assignment: AA Mississippi
Acquired: Drafted, 2nd Round – 2018
Prior Ranking: 17
Jenista needed the 2020 season for the swing changes that he had been working on in 2019 to take root. That didn’t happen, so his future is cloudy. Invited to big league spring training, he was nevertheless not selected for the 60-man player pool after the shutdown. What Jenista still has going for him is strength and athleticism, which have been enough for plenty of prospects.
28. Jeremy Walker, RHP
Age: 25 | Throws: R
2019: 2.78 ERA | 2.42 FIP | 38 G, 2 GS | 90.2 IP | 1.50 BB/9 | 8.78 K/9 (AA/AAA/MLB)
Current Assignment: MLB Atlanta (on 45-day IL)
Acquired: Drafted, 5th Round – 2016
Prior Ranking: 26
Walker had a fantastic 2019 season that saw him convert to the bullpen and make quick strides up the organization chain, culminating in a successful major league debut with 6 strong outings. He looked to be ready to compete for a spot in the 2020 Atlanta bullpen, but even before the spring training shutdown he was hampered by a right shoulder impingement. This has turned out to be a serious injury and he is already on the 45-day IL and will likely not pitch at all in 2020. Hopefully there will be some good news on him soon, because big-bodied relievers who can regularly throw in the mid-90s with excellent control and secondaries that induce a ton of grounders aren’t exactly plentiful.
29. Nolan Kingham, RHP
Age: 24 | Throws: R
2019: 3.92 ERA | 2.93 FIP | 27 G, 27 GS | 165.1 IP | 1.96 BB/9 | 6.31 K/9 (A/A+/AA)
Current Assignment: AA Mississippi
Acquired: Drafted, 12th Round – 2018
Prior Ranking: 23
A groundball pitcher who, somewhat like Jeremy Walker, will likely put up better numbers as he climbs the organizational ladder and has better defenses behind him, Kingham has the makings of a solid back-half-of-the-rotation workhorse starter. This kind of profile isn’t the most glamorous in the game, but those who can do it well tend to last a long time. Kingham made his way up to AA by then end of 2019, which is a good place to be in this organization, without quite so many other arms pushing from below. If they need to add another pitcher to the 60-man pitching pool at some point this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were Kingham.
30. Justin Dean, OF
Age: 24 | Bats: R
2019: .284/.386/.431 | 141 wRC+ | 9 HR | 47 SB | 12.3% BB | 22.9% K (A)
Current Assignment: A Rome
Acquired: Drafted, 17th Round – 2018
Prior Ranking: 19
A wrist injury cost Dean around a month of his 2019 season and likely cost him a promotion to high-A Florida. Dean really needed a 2020 season to show he could hit at levels more commiserate with his age-level. As it is, he will be hard-pressed to rebuild his capital early in 2021 with a slew of younger outfielders nipping at his heels. Dean can run with the best of them and is potentially a plus defender in centerfield with good intangibles, but he’ll need to quickly answer questions about his hit tool.
Other of Note
Young Up-and-Comers
These guys were mostly drafted out of high schools in 2019, are young international signees with promise, or are young undrafted amateur free agents that probably would have been drafted in 2020 if there had been a normal draft. Still young enough so that they have plenty of development time, look for them on the 2021 Rome Braves squad along with the younger players from the top 30.
Stephen Paolini, OF
Jared Johnson, RHP
Darling Florentino, 3B
Brandol Mezquita, OF
Joey Estes, LHP
Kadon Morton, OF
Deivi Estrada, OF
Ethan Workinger, OF
Antonio Barranca, C
Need Another Look
This group are players, mostly in their early 20s, who have recently entered the organization but haven’t yet been tested in full-season ball. They played in the rookie leagues in 2019 or were picked up this season.
Ricky DeVito, RHP
Beau Philip, SS
Spencer Strider, RHP
Landon Stephens, IF
Drew Campbell, OF
Brandon Parker, OF
Willie Carter, OF
Connor Blair, OF
Hurt By the Shutdown
Certainly nobody was helped by the minor league shutdown, but the most affected players were those well into their 20s and not yet in the upper minors. All of these players are walking a skinny path to being possible big-league utility players, 5th-starters, or relievers. They’ll need to quickly re-assert themselves to avoid getting crunched by what looks to be a radically re-aligned affiliate system next year.
Greg Cullen, 2B
Brooks Wilson, RHP
AJ Graffanino, SS
Logan Brown, C
CJ Alexander, 3B
Daysbel Hernandez, RHP
Jake Higginbotham, LHP
Hayden Deal, LHP
Riley Delgado, SS
Andrew Moritz, OF
Mitch Stallings, LHP
Matt Hartman, RHP
Drew Lugbauer, 1B
William Woods, RHP
Tanner Lawson, LHP
Jose Montilla, LHP
Griffin Benson, 1B
Just Short of the Promised Land
This group is comprised of upper-minor league players who have had recent set-backs or are late bloomers that so far have come up short of getting major league attention. They would likely be filling out AA and AAA rosters now under normal circumstances, and a good performance and big league necessity could have seen them in Atlanta in a normal season. These aren’t normal circumstances, and the door is looking to almost close for them, at least in the Braves organization
Phil Pfeifer, LHP
Riley Unroe, IF
Corbin Clouse, LHP
Thomas Burrows, LHP
Jonathan Morales, C
Brandon White, RHP
Josh Graham, RHP
Bradley Roney, RHP
Wendell Rijo, IF
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