Welcome to our annual look at the overall system depth at each position. The future is now for one of the brightest young stars in the game and a lot will be expected from him in 2021. Down on the farm the Braves return one of their former prospects, a potential 2021 contributor looking to make his major league debut sometime this year, and a 2020 3rd-rounder ready to take the field.
First Base | Second Base | Shortstop | Third Base | Catcher | Left Field | Centerfield | Starting Pitcher | Relief Pitcher
ATLANTA BRAVES
STARTER: Ronald Acuña Jr.
The Braves 23-year-old superstar veteran seems to be on a mission for 2021 after an abbreviated 2020 that saw him set career highs in OBP and slugging, but also miss 14 of the team’s 60 games with a wrist injury. Playing through that injury lead Acuña to hit a pedestrian .217/.333/.370 in the playoffs. Acuña doubled down this offseason on strength and agility drills, which he documented for fans on social media.
Early in camp, manager Brian Snitker broke down where Acuña is now, saying “He is growing and getting better as a hitter. You look at his numbers and his body of work, he continues to get better. I think if we can keep him in right field, he is a weapon out there. He has improved defensively on his routes — even in center field. I think he is going to continue to learn the game. He is going to continue to make adjustments as [opponents] continue to adjust to him.”
Acuña’s 81 home runs in 1404 plate appearances is second all-time among qualified Braves hitters, behind Andres Galarraga and just ahead of legend Henry Aaron. His 11.7 fWAR since arriving in the majors in 2018 ranks 17th. And Snitker is absolutely correct about there still being capacity for growth as a hitter, which is absolutely terrible news for the rest of the National League.
Back-up: Abraham Almonte, Phil Ervin, and Ender Inciarte are all candidates to occupy a bench role for Atlanta, and all are capable of manning right field. So too can third baseman Austin Riley in a pinch.
Upper-Level Minor Leaguers
OF Travis Demeritte
Projected Level: AAA Gwinnett
A former first-round draft pick by the Rangers out of Winder, GA, Demeritte was traded to Atlanta as a second baseman in 2016 and rose steadily through the system, having his best season with AAA Gwinnett in 2019. At the trade deadline, he was included in a deal along with left-hander Joey Wentz to Detroit for reliever Shane Greene. Demeritte made his major league debut with Detroit, but was designated for assignment this offseason and the Braves claimed him on waivers. So Demeritte is right back where he started, but with 219 major league plate appearances under his belt.
The book on Demeritte is similar to when he was a prospect for Atlanta — gifted athletic tools and good strike zone judgement, but poor pitch recognition that contributes to high strikeout rates and poorer overall contact that you’d expect for a hitter with as much power as he has. Improvement in any of these areas could see Demeritte back in the majors in a fourth outfielder capacity.
Back-up: The Braves have stocked the AAA level with potential outfielders. In addition to Demeritte, veterans Travis Snider, Jaycob Brugman, and Terrance Gore could factor.
OF Trey Harris
Projected Level: AA Mississippi
A 32nd-rounder out of Mizzou, Harris has made himself a prospect by simply hitting wherever the Braves have sent him to date. After finishing the 2019 season at AA Mississippi, hitting well in the Arizona Fall League, then performing well now in two consecutive spring trainings, there’s a chance Harris may be ready to make the move up to AAA Gwinnett, but I suspect the Braves will want to keep spots there for veterans who could be asked to fill major league bench roles. Harris can put himself into that conversation later in the season by doing what he’s always done — hit and force the organization to keep promoting him.
Back-up: Former 2nd-rounder Greyson Jenista could start at either AA or AAA and in either the outfield or at first base, so he would be a possibility here. Shean Michel is also a likely reserve at this level.
Lower-Level Minor Leaguers
OF Jesse Franklin
Projected Level: A+ Rome
The only position player selected in the five-round 2020 draft by Atlanta, Franklin is a former Michigan stand-out who fell to the third round after he broke a collarbone and missed the 2020 season. Franklin joined the Braves working at the alternate training site and was reportedly none the worse for wear. Given his age and pedigree, I am projecting that the Braves will challenge him with a high-A Rome assignment, though Augusta is perhaps just as likely. On either team, Franklin will work on simplifying his swing to make more consistent contact. Franklin is capable of playing centerfield, so he could so some if not most of his time there.
Back-up: Like Franklin, prospect Michael Harris could play in center or right field, and there’s a chance that they could flip-flop. Jacob Pearson, Jeremy Fernandez, or Connor Blair are also possibilities here.
OF Brandon Parker
Projected Level: A Augusta
One of the top JUCO hitters in the 2019 draft, Parker was a 10th-round selection by Atlanta and spent his first pro season with Danville, hitting .210/.294/.318 with 4 home runs while seeing time in center and right field. His defensive skillset is more suited to right field, and there’s more thunder in the bat than what he’s shown so far. Parker was an instructional league invite.
OF Willie Carter
Projected Level: A Augusta
Parker’s teammate in Danville, Carter mostly played left field, but also saw action in right. After a good career with Webber International University in Florida, Carter was taken as a 34th-round pick in 2019. He hit .242/.330/.371 with 4 home runs and like Parker has the potential for more power. Carter would be a candidate for left, right, or DH with Augusta.
Short-Season Minor Leaguers
OF Jeremy Celedonio
Celedonio hit .203/.362/.302 with 4 home runs as a 17-year-old in 2019. After the lost 2020, Celedonio will try to prove in spring training that he’s ready for a stateside assignment.
Right Field Depth Chart
- Ronald Acuna Jr.
- Phil Ervin
- Abraham Almonte
- Travis Demeritte
- Jaycob Brugman
- Terrance Gore
- Trey Harris
- Greyson Jenista
- Shean Michel
- Jesse Franklin
- Michael Harris
- Jacob Pearson
- Brandon Parker
- Willie Carter
- Jeremy Celedonio
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