Adam Milligan

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #22 prospect in 2012
  For the second time in as many seasons and the third time in four years as a pro, an injury sidelined Milligan for an extended period time. A right knee injury cost him his first pro summer after he signed in 2008, and a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder knocked him out for all but 21 games in 2010. His 2011 season ended in mid-July when he reinjured his right knee. Yet the Braves, who drafted him three times before landing him, still remain high on his offensive upside after seeing him bat .301/.356/.546 as a pro. Originally ticketed to play football at Austin Peay State before spending two years with the Walters State (Tenn.) CC baseball program, Milligan has well above-average raw power can hit the ball out of the park to all fields. He's overly aggressive at the plate, however, and will have to prove he can make enough contact against more advanced pitching. Milligan has below-average speed, but he runs the bases well and covers enough ground on the outfield corners. He has fringy arm strength and lacks accuracy on his throws, so he fits better in left field. Atlanta hopes he finally will stay healthy when he moves up to Double-A in 2012.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #22 prospect in 2011
  Milligan originally committed to play football at Austin Peay State before spending two years playing baseball at Walters State (Tenn.) CC, and the Braves drafted him three times before signing him as an eighth-rounder in 2008. He missed his first pro summer with a knee injury, and he missed most of 2010 with a shoulder injury that turned out to be a torn rotator cuff and required surgery in June. In between, he slugged .592 and reached high Class A during an impressive 2009 pro debut. When healthy, Milligan is an offensive-oriented player who can drive the ball to all fields. He showed above-average power in 2009 and Atlanta believes he can hit 20-25 homers annually at higher levels. He also should hit for average, possibly in the .275-.290 range, with his ability to make hard contact while going with pitches instead of trying to pull them. He's aggressive, so he may never walk much. Though not fleet of foot, Milligan doesn't clog the bases and displays good instincts in the outfield. He is a fringe-average defender who may be best suited for left field, but he has the arm strength as well as the carry on his throws to play in right. Milligan participated in the final week of instructional league and is expected to be healthy for spring training. He should open the season back in high Class A, but if he can regain his 2009 form, he could reach Double-A at some point during the year
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #10 prospect in 2010
  The Braves drafted Milligan three times before signing him for $600,000 in 2008. He originally committed to Austin Peay State to play football, then played two years of baseball at Walters State (Tenn.) CC. A knee injury delayed his pro debut until 2009, when he led the system with a .592 slugging percentage and slugged 13 homers in half a season. Milligan drives the ball to all fields and projects as a potential .280 hitter with 20-25 homers per season. He runs well for a big man, with solid-average speed, and he has a slightly above-average arm and good accuracy and carry on his throws. Though he shows some aptitude for working counts, Milligan doesn't exhibit much patience at the plate and will have to tighten his strike zone against better pitching. He has made strides in left field but still needs to make further improvements to his defense. He has enough bat to profile as a regular left fielder in the major leagues, though Cody Johnson is one step ahead of him. Milligan will open 2010 in high Class A but could advance quickly if he continues to produce.