Martin Prado

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #32 prospect in 2008
  Prado is a classic example of a player who's better than his individual tools would suggest. He's an excellent contact hitter who finished second in the Triple-A International League batting race last year at .316, raising his career minor league average to .302. He has very good command of the strike zone and is considered to be the best two-strike hitters in the organization. While the Braves have given him 101 big league at-bats over the last two seasons, Prado doesn't have another tool that helps his cause in becoming a regular in the majors. His approach leads to very little power and his ability to make contact even cuts down on his walks. While he has slightly above-average speed, it doesn't translate into stolen bases. Defensively, neither his range nor his arm is overwhelming. He's as sure-handed as any infielder in the system and committed just six errors last year year. Prado does a solid job of turning double plays and is capable of playing second base, third base and shortstop. Though he lacks flash, Prado has impressed Atlanta manager Bobby Cox and will get a chance to help the Braves in a reserve role this year.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #17 prospect in 2006
  Prado emerged as a prospect in 2004 after spending three seasons in Rookie ball. He has moved rapidly ever since, making the jump to Double-A in mid-2005 while continuing to show he might be Atlanta's second baseman of the future. He made the South Atlantic League all-star team in 2004, and managers rated him the Carolina League's best defender at second base last year. The Braves believe Prado has the makings of becoming a quintessential, gritty middle infielder. He's tough, fearless and extremely competitive with good body control and athletic ability. A confident defender, he has above-average range and a strong, accurate arm. Prado also handles the bat well and has average speed, but his power is minimal. He needs to polish his overall game while becoming more patient in order to increase his walks and on-base percentage. He's likely to open this season back in Double- A, with a midseason promotion to Triple-A a possibility.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #28 prospect in 2005
  After spending three years in Rookie ball, Prado made a strong impression in his first shot at full-season ball last year. He ranked ninth in the South Atlantic League in batting and made the postseason all-star team. Managers also rated him the best defensive second baseman in the SAL, thanks to his soft hands, above-average range and ability to turn the double play. Prado has only minimal power, so his offensive game centers around making contact. He has good bat control but needs to show more patience so he can draw more walks. Prado has good speed, but he needs considerable work on his reads and jumps after getting caught on 10 of his 24 basestealing attempts in 2004. Though his body continues to mature, Prado doesn't project off the charts. He'll try to keep his momentum going this year in high Class A.