Welcome to our annual look at the overall system depth at each position. As usual, the first look will be at first base, where we have a reigning MVP and several interesting prospects percolating in the farm system.
Second Base | Shortstop | Third Base | Catcher | Left Field | Centerfield | Right Field | Starting Pitcher | Relief Pitcher
ATLANTA BRAVES
STARTER: Freddie Freeman
There’s not many things that Freddie Freeman and I have in common, but one thing is that we both were infected by the COVID-19 virus in 2020. By all accounts, Freeman had the worst of it — I never had a fever spike of over 104 degrees, I never felt so close to the possibility of immanent demise that I was moved to prayer, I never looked so broken down that a friend or co-worker drastically altered his plans to avoid ever contracting the virus as happened to Freeman. Nevertheless, for weeks after I eventually tested negative for the virus, I had severe fatigue that would send me to bed up to three times a day. The idea of someone shaking that off to go play baseball at the highest level in the world is preposterous to me.
But that is exactly what Freddie Freeman did in 2020. And at first, it didn’t look like it was going to work; he was only hitting .190/.346/.310 with three extra-base hits after the first two weeks of the season.
You all know what happened next. Freeman hit an astonishing .378/.490/.721 over the remaining 47 games of the season to drive a very potent Braves offense. The turnaround got Freeman his long-elusive MVP trophy, and helped Atlanta to the NLCS for the first time since 2001. Freeman returns to Atlanta for 2021, on the final year of an 8-year extension he signed in 2014, two general managers ago. It’s almost unfathomable that Atlanta won’t make every effort to extend their veteran star, and speculation on a new deal will likely dominate spring training.
Back-up: Third baseman Austin Riley would be most likely to be tapped to fill in for Freeman on rare off-days or in case of injury. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud also has experience at first base.
Upper-Level Minor Leaguers
1B/OF Greyson Jenista
Projected Level: AAA Gwinnett
Jenista has mostly played right field in the Braves system since being drafted in the 2nd round in 2017, but he played exclusively first base in the 2019 Arizona Fall League. He’s a credible outfielder, but given outfield organizational depth, I suspect Jenista will go to first for the time being. Despite a difficult year at the plate in 2019, the organization still has a lot invested in Jenista, and it looked like the swing changes he was working on were starting to bear fruit late in the season, in the AFL, and last spring.
UT Sean Kazmar Jr.
Projected Level: AAA Gwinnett
The 36-year-old Kazmar has re-signed for his 9th consecutive season with AAA Gwinnett and should once again fill in at every infield position.
1B Bryce Ball
Projected Level: AA Mississippi
“Drago” only has 90 at-bats logged against opponents over the rookie league level, but his experience at the Alternate Training Site over the summer facing high-level prospect pitching seems enough that the Braves will double-jump him to the AA level. Usually I caveat about hitters moving to Mississippi that the large dimensions of most Southern League parks may effect power production, but Ball’s moonshots will clear the fence at any park. Nevertheless, I expect Ball will have a challenge against AA pitching to start the season.
1B Drew Lugbauer
Projected Level: AA Mississippi
Lugbauer only hit .194/.254/.361 for high-A Florida but still clubbed 16 home runs in 2019. Lugbauer is likely to serve as the DH for Mississippi, but will also fill in at first and third. Lugbauer was being groomed as a catcher in Rome in 2018, but did not log an inning at the position in 2019; it can be assumed at this point that he would only don the tools of ignorance in an emergency.
1B Kevin Josephina
Projected Level: AA Mississippi
Josephina had his best offensive season with the high-A Florida Fire Frogs in 2019, hitting .258/.310/.349 while floating between first, third, and second base. Re-signed by Atlanta this offseason as a minor league free agent, look for Josephina to fill in as needed at multiple positions for Mississippi.
Lower-Level Minor Leaguers
1B Griffin Benson
Projected Level: A+ Rome
Benson started the 2019 season in Rome and stuck there the whole season, showing solid power and defense. A 23rd-round pick back in 2016 out of high school, Benson will look to make more consistent contact.
1B Mason Berne
Projected Level: A+ Rome
A 33rd-round pick in 2018, Berne has yet to show the power that he demonstrated at UNC-Wilmington as a pro, but had a good 2019 campaign for Danville. Berne will likely get looks at both first base and at DH.
1B Mahki Backstrom
Projected Level: A Augusta
The 19-year-old 18th-rounder from California will likely be the starting first baseman for Augusta’s inaugural season as a Braves affiliate. Backstrom shows strong power potential and should be part of a core of very young prospects likely to bless the Greenjackets roster in 2021.
UT Landon Stephens
Projected Level: A Augusta
A non-drafted amateur free agent out of the University of Miami (OH), Stephens has played first, second, third, and right field in his experience at college and the wood-bat Northwoods League. A high-contact hitter in college, Stephens will likely play everyday, but perhaps without a set position.
Short-Season Minor Leaguers
1B Bryson Horne
A product of Georgia Highlands Community College by way of Columbus State University in Georgia, the 22-year-old Horne is another non-drafted amateur free agent signed last summer. Horne has shown a good hit tool and burgeoning power and could make a play to move up to Augusta before the start of the short season leagues.
First Base Depth Chart
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- Freddie Freeman
- Austin Riley
- Travis d’Arnaud
- Greyson Jenista
- Sean Kazmar
- Bryce Ball
- Drew Lugbauer
- Kevin Josephina
- Griffin Benson
- Mason Berne
- Makhi Backstrom
- Landon Stephens
- Bryson Horne
- Freddie Freeman
OFR TOP 5 FIRST BASE PROSPECT RANKINGS:
The Braves really went from zero 1B depth to two potential mashers. Loved that 2019 Draft.