2017 Atlanta Braves Top 10 Prospects

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TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Dansby Swanson, ss
2. Ozzie Albies, 2b/ss
3. Kolby Allard, lhp
4. Mike Soroka, rhp
5. Ian Anderson, rhp
6. Ronald Acuna, of
7. Kevin Maitan, ss
8. Sean Newcomb, lhp
9. Patrick Weigel, rhp
10. Max Fried, lhp

At first glance, a 93-loss season would not seem to be cause for celebration.

Yet the air of optimism in the Braves front office and the sense of progress for the organization go far beyond the imminent christening of a new ballpark in suburban Cobb County in 2017.

The 2016 campaign started on a sluggish note in Atlanta, and manager Fredi Gonzalez was fired after the Braves opened the slate with a major league-worst 9-28 record. Noticeable improvements did not happen immediately after Triple-A skipper Brian Snitker was promoted to interim manager on May 17, though baby steps led to bigger strides.

Atlanta finished strong by winning 20 of its final 30 contests, beginning Aug. 30, which was 13 days after shortstop Dansby Swanson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, made his major league debut.

Atlanta’s solid finish not only earned Snitker a one-year contract with a club option for 2018 to remain in the dugout, it also coincided with a campaign that culminated with a winning atmosphere in the minor leagues. Four of the Braves’ five affiliates reached postseason play, with Class A Rome emerging with the South Atlantic League title and BA Team of the Year honors. Triple-A Gwinnett advanced to the Governors’ Cup Finals in the International League.

Such success is a testament to the talent the Braves have stockpiled under their two-year rebuilding project under the direction of president of baseball operations John Hart and general manager John Coppolella. The organization has emerged from a dire situation in which the system lacked any appreciable talent and depth to one overflowing with prospects, particularly starting pitchers.

A pair of 2015 deals with both the Padres and Diamondbacks jump-started the process—and resulted in the acquisitions of, among others, Swanson, lefthander Max Fried and righthander Touki Toussaint—and relieved Atlanta of some veteran contracts, while a handful of other trades contributed to building a nucleus from which to work.

While trades account for one-third of the Braves’ Top 30 Prospects, the impressive depth in the organization has been accumulated by using the formula incorporated by GM Bobby Cox and scouting director Paul Snyder in the 1980s and maintained under GM John Schuerholz in the 1990s and 2000s.

Scouting director Brian Bridges has focused heavily on high school pitchers early in both of his draft classes, leading off with lefthander Kolby Allard in 2015 and righthander Ian Anderson in 2016, and rolled the dice on a couple of others thanks to a plethora of picks.

Perhaps the boldest moves made by the new regime came in 2016 when the Braves doled out five of the six largest signing bonuses in franchise history while investing more than $22 million between the draft and the international market. After inking Dominican outfielder Cristian Pache and Dominican shortstop Derian Cruz in 2015, the Braves acquired several international bonus slots for 2016 and far exceeded their assigned budget to sign Venezuelan shortstop Kevin Maitan, the top international prospect of the decade, as well as five other international players ranked among the top 41.

Few teams in recent times have been more committed to a complete overhaul than the Braves have executed since late 2014. The overall mold is still forming, but the pieces are on the verge of arriving in a fast and furious manner.

1. Dansby Swanson, ss |

Born: Feb. 11, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 190. Drafted: Vanderbilt, 2015 (1st round). Signed by: Nate Birtwell (Diamondbacks).

SCOUTING GRADES

Batting: 60

Power: 50

Speed: 60

Defense: 60

Arm: 60

Based on 20-80 scouting scale—where 50 represents major league average—and future projection rather than present tools.

Background: Winning has become synonymous with Swanson since he was a dual-sport athlete at Marietta High in suburban Atlanta. He was part of two state championships in basketball and was a member of the East Cobb Yankees, which won the 2012 Perfect Game national championship. After opting to attend Vanderbilt despite being drafted by the Rockies in the 38th round in 2012, Swanson overcame a broken foot and a shoulder injury as a freshman to lead the Commodores to the program’s first College World Series national championship as a sophomore in 2014, when he earned CWS Most Outstanding Player honors. He moved from second base to shortstop as a junior and helped guide Vandy back to the CWS Finals in 2015. That month the Diamondbacks made him the first overall pick in the draft. Hit in the face by a pitch during a simulated game, Swanson bounced back in time to be part of short-season Hillsboro’s Northwest League championship in his pro debut. Three months later, Arizona sent Swanson, outfielder Ender Inciarte and righthander Aaron Blair to the Braves for righthander Shelby Miller and low Class A lefthander Gabe Speier. He proceeded to tear up the high Class A Carolina League for a month in 2016, before moving on to the Double-A Southern League, where he ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the circuit. He made his major league debut as Atlanta’s starting shortstop on Aug. 17, stroking two hits in four at-bats against the Twins.

Scouting Report: Braves scouting director Brian Bridges got to know Swanson well during the latter’s high school career and loved everything the shortstop brought to the table at a young age. Rated by SL managers as the league’s best defensive shortstop, Swanson has outstanding quickness with exceptional range, soft and steady hands, and above-average arm strength with excellent accuracy on his throws. He uses his intelligence and superior feel for the game to anticipate plays, which helped him lead all minor league shortstops with an average of 3.27 assists per game in 2016. His cerebral approach is also noticeable on offense, where he uses his above-average speed to take the extra base. An ideal No. 2 hitter, Swanson makes hard and consistent contact with his advanced approach at the plate. His patience and feel for the strike zone allow him to work counts and pile up walks. He also is capable of executing the hit-and-run and driving the ball to all fields, and he should have at least average power once he gains more experience at the game’s top level. The biggest question scouts have is how much his power will play to go along with a fairly high strikeout rate going back to his Vanderbilt days.

The Future: Swanson looked the part as Atlanta’s long-term answer at shortstop over the final seven weeks of the 2016 campaign. While he may not put up the kind of numbers to garner perennial MVP consideration, his steady and consistent performance on the field and his overall makeup and personality off it, while playing his home games in the county where he was born, make Swanson a natural fit for a rebuilding organization. He’s positioned to be a face for the franchise as its starting shortstop for years to come.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Carolina (HiA)	.333	.441	.526	78	14	26	12	0	1	10	15	13	7
Mississippi (AA)	.261	.342	.402	333	54	87	13	5	8	45	35	71	6
Atlanta (MLB)	.300	.353	.442	120	19	36	6	1	3	17	11	30	3

2. Ozzie Albies, 2b/ss |

Born: Jan. 7, 1997. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 5-9. Wt.: 160. Signed: Curacao, 2013. Signed by: Dargello Lodowica.

Background: Albies continued his rapid ascent through the organization in 2016. At age 19, he skipped high Class A and wound up leading the Double-A Southern League in average (.321) and on-base percentage (.391). Despite struggling during a two-month stint in Triple-A at midseason, he thrived in a return to Mississippi before breaking the tip of a bone in his right elbow Sept. 9, keeping him out of the SL playoffs.

Scouting Report: Strictly a shortstop prior to 2016, Albies shifted to second base when he teamed with Dansby Swanson at Mississippi. The definition of a quick-twitch athlete, Albies’ first-step quickness, soft hands, above-average arm strength and baseball instincts make him a plus defender at both middle-infield spots. He has some work to do in making the pivot on double plays, which should come with experience. His offensive strength is his ability to make hard and consistent contact from both sides of the plate, thanks to his plus bat speed and superior hand-eye coordination. He drives the ball better than advertised, draws walks and uses his plus speed to beat out grounders and steal bases, making him an ideal top-of-the-lineup hitter.

The Future: Albies will be in the hunt for a big league job in 2017. If he does not earn the starting nod for Opening Day, he will make a short return to Gwinnett. Either way, he is Atlanta’s long-term answer at the keystone sack.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Mississippi (AA)	.321	.391	.467	330	56	106	22	7	4	33	33	57	21
Gwinnett (AAA)	.248	.307	.351	222	27	55	11	3	2	20	19	39	9

3. Kolby Allard, lhp |

Born: Aug. 13, 1997. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 180. Drafted: HS—San Clemente, Calif., 2015 (1st round). Signed by: Dan Cox.

Background: The Braves selected Allard 14th overall in 2015 after he fell due to a stress reaction in his back that caused him to miss most of his senior year of high school. He had minor surgery after signing and was held back in 2016 as a precautionary measure in extended spring training. He opened at low Class A Rome in June before the Rookie-level Danville season started, then returned to Rome after five starts and got better as the year went on. Allard went 4-0, 1.72 with 37 strikeouts in 31 innings in August before tossing 12 shutout innings in the South Atlantic League playoffs.

Scouting Report: Allard showed in 2016 why so many scouts ranked him near the top of their draft boards the year before. The lefthander has an excellent feel for pitching and works down in the strike zone. His fastball sits at 90-94 mph and possesses late cutting action. He mixes his heater with a plus hammer curveball with a 1-to-7 drop that may be his best pitch. Allard has made outstanding progress with his changeup that could improve to the point where he winds up with three plus pitches. He throws a lot of strikes and should have above-average command when he matures

The Future: Allard has the overall package to be a No. 2 or 3 starter in the big leagues. He should open 2017 at Atlanta’s new Florida State League affiliate but could make the jump to Double-A during the campaign.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Rome (LoA)	5	3	3.73	11	11	60	54	5	20	62	.244
Danville (R)	3	0	1.32	5	5	27	18	0	5	33	.186

4. Mike Soroka, rhp |

Born: August 4, 1997. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 195. Drafted: HS—Calgary, 2015 (1st round). Signed by: Brett Evert.

Background: The Braves loved what they saw in Soroka when he pitched on the Canadian Junior National Team and they took the righthander with the 28th overall pick in the 2015 draft. Efficient due to his advanced feel for pitching, Soroka wound up working more innings (143) than any prep first-rounder in his first full season in at least a decade. He served as No. 1 starter in both rounds of the South Atlantic League playoffs for low Class A Rome.

Scouting Report: Soroka’s intelligence is readily apparent on the mound and helped him adjust after lefthanded hitters pounded him in his pro debut. He switched sides of the pitching rubber to locate better to his glove side and it worked. He limited lefthanded batters to a .648 OPS in 2016. Soroka mixes three above-average pitches with aplomb and generates lots of groundouts due to his plus control and ability to pound the lower half of the strike zone. His 90-92 mph fastball has excellent sinking action and touches 95 when he guns for a strikeout. His curveball has tight spin, his changeup has solid movement and he reads hitters’ swings to attack their weakness. Strong with a solid presence on the bump, Soroka is a former hockey player and a solid all-around athlete who fields his position well.

The Future: Soroka was one of the youngest players in his draft class and among the youngest pitchers in the South Atlantic League in 2016. While his next step will be high Class A, he projects as a mid-rotation starter in the big leagues.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Rome (LoA)	9	9	3.02	25	24	143	130	3	32	125	.244

5. Ian Anderson, rhp |

Born: May 2, 1998. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 170. Drafted: HS—Clifton Park, N.Y., 2016 (1st round). Signed by: Greg Morhardt.

Background: Anderson attracted attention in the Metropolitan Baseball Classic prior to his junior year and began to take off when he pitched against 2015 first-round pick Garrett Whitley the following spring. Despite battling pneumonia and a minor injury during his senior year, Anderson ranked high on the Braves’ 2016 draft board from the outset, and Atlanta drafted the lanky, projectable righthander third overall and signed him for a below-slot $4 million.

Scouting Report: Anderson possesses the classic combination of current ability with the potential to become even better with experience and physical development. A cerebral pitcher who was a Vanderbilt commit, he has impressed with his calm, mature approach and ability to dissect the strike zone with his impressive command and ability to work both sides of the plate. He throws all three of his pitches from the same release point, which makes them difficult for hitters to decipher. His fastball sits at 92-94 mph and has touched 97. He also throws a late-breaking curveball, with above-average potential and 10-to-4 shape at 79-81 mph and a plus changeup in the mid-80s.

The Future: After spending his pro debut at Atlanta’s two Rookie-level affiliates, Anderson will open 2017 at low Class A Rome, where he can expect to spend the entire campaign. From there he has the ability to move quickly as he develops into a mid-rotation starter at the big league level.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
GCL Braves (R)	0	2	3.74	5	5	22	19	1	8	18	.244
Danville (R)	1	0	0.00	5	5	18	14	0	4	18	.222

6. Ronald Acuna, of

Born: Dec. 18, 1997. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 180. Signed: Venezuela, 2014. Signed by: Rolando Petit.

Background: The Braves have been aggressive in challenging Acuna since he signed for a modest $100,000 in 2014. He performed well in his U.S. debut after bypassing the Dominican Summer League in 2015 and proceeded to get off to a fast start at low Class A Rome in 2016 before a broken thumb sidelined him from mid-May to mid-August.

Scouting Report: Despite the injury, Acuna displayed his electric tools in all phases of the game. He uses his plus speed to cover center field from gap to gap and has the arm strength to play any position in the garden. He reads balls well, takes good angles and shows impressive anticipation along with excellent first-step quickness. Acuna is aggressive at the plate but has above-average discipline for a teenager. While his body is still developing, he has plus raw power and barrels pitches consistently with his above-average bat speed. Those traits should allow him to hit for average at higher levels. He needs work on stealing bases more consistently but has the speed to make an impact on the basepaths.

The Future: His shortened season in Rome notwithstanding, Acuna should open the 2017 campaign in high Class A after making up for lost time in the winter Australian Baseball League. Though risky, he has as high a ceiling as any Braves position player.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Rome (LoA)	.311	.387	.432	148	27	46	2	2	4	18	18	28	14
GCL Braves (R)	.333	.500	.333	6	1	2	0	0	0	1	1	1	0

7. Kevin Maitan, ss |

Born: Feb. 12, 2000. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 175. Signed: Venezuela, 2016. Signed by: Gordon Blakeley/Mike Silvestri/Rolando Petit.

Background: Maitan began to attract the attention of scouts in Venezuela at the age of 13 while training with Henderson Martinez. Over the next three years the power-hitting shortstop emerged as the top international amateur prospect and was considered to be the best foreign amateur to hit the market since Miguel Sano in 2009. Maneuvering their way to make a big splash on the international market in 2016, the Braves made Maitan their primary target and signed him on July 2 for a reported $4.25 million.

Scouting Report: Maitan draws comparisons with Chipper Jones with his ability to hit for power and average from both sides of the plate. He gets more loft from the right side but shows an overall advanced feel for the strike zone and excellent discipline for such a young player. Like Jones, Maitan is a physical player with solid athleticism and high baseball intelligence. Given his current size, he may move to third base as his body matures, though his easy actions and footwork and strong arm suggest he could yet remain up the middle. Either way the Braves envision a middle-of-the-lineup hitter thanks his plus raw power.

The Future: Were Maitan an American player eligible for the draft, he would have been in the 2018 class. He’s so young that he will likely debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2017, though it’s possible he’ll be advanced enough to open his pro career in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

2016 Club

AVG

OBP

SLG

RBI

Did not play–signed 2017 contract

8. Sean Newcomb, lhp |

Born: June 12, 1993. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 240. Drafted: Hartford, 2014 (1st round). Signed by: Nick Gorneault (Angels).

Background: The 15th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Newcomb was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Andrelton Simmons to the Angels after the 2015 campaign. A two-sport standout in high school prior to pitching at Hartford, he appeared in the Futures Game during his lone season with the Angels before leading the Double-A Southern League with 152 strikeouts and ranking second with a .224 opponent average in 2016.

Scouting Report: Newcomb is a power pitcher who improved the consistency of his delivery over the course of the 2016 season. His fastball ranges from 90-95 mph but sits at 92-93 and tends to jump out of his hand due to his ability to hide the ball until he releases it. He records many of his strikeouts with a hard, tight curveball that possesses plus spin and sits at 77-78 mph. Newcomb’s mid-80s changeup is at least a solid-average offering but lacks late movement. He tends to lose his rhythm and focus on occasion, helping produce his below-average control, and he needs to get more aggressive with his pitch selection when he’s ahead in the count.

The Future: Newcomb has the broad-shouldered frame and strength to be a workhorse in a big league rotation—if he throws enough strikes. He is ready for Triple-A Gwinnett in 2017 and should make his major league debut at some point during the season.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Mississippi (AA)	8	7	3.86	27	27	140	113	4	71	152	.224

9. Patrick Weigel, rhp

Born: July 8, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-6. Wt.: 220. Drafted: Houston, 2015 (7th round). Signed by: Darin Vaughan.

Background: Weigel pitched for three schools in college and was a reliever at Houston when the Braves made him a 2015 seventh-round pick. A mediocre pro debut at Rookie-level Danville that year did little to excite the masses before the righthander displayed the ability to throw four pitches for strikes at low Class A Rome in 2016. He wound up ranking second in the organization in wins (11) and ERA and tying for second in strikeouts (152) while finishing the season in Double-A.

Scouting Report: Standing 6-foot-6 and possessing a live arm, Weigel has an intimidating presence on the mound. His fastball sits 94-95 mph and touches 98, which is velocity that overpowered most low Class A South Atlantic League hitters. He mixes his heater with a sweeping mid-70s curveball, a hard mid-80s slider with short, downward action and a changeup that is inconsistent but flashes plus potential when he throws it properly. The development of his changeup could determine whether Weigel starts or relieves at higher levels. He also has ironed out most of the control problems that hampered him in college but needs to fine-tune his command.

The Future: A classic late bloomer, Weigel will return to Double-A Mississippi to open 2017 and could be knocking on the door to the big leagues by the end of this season.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Rome (LoA)	10	4	2.51	22	21	129	92	7	47	135	.203
Mississippi (AA)	1	2	2.18	3	3	21	9	2	8	17	.132

10. Max Fried, lhp |

Born: Jan. 18, 1994. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 185. Drafted: HS—Los Angeles, 2012 (1st round). Signed by: Brent Mayne (Padres).

Background: Atlanta finally had the opportunity to see Fried on the mound after the Braves acquired him from the Padres in December 2014 as part of the Justin Upton trade. The seventh overall pick in the 2012 draft, Fried missed much of 2014 and all of 2015 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Other than a blister problem that cost him a month at midseason, the lefthander showed few ill effects from the procedure while making 21 appearances at low Class A Rome in 2016.

Scouting Report: Fried displayed an increase in overall maturity and overcame some early-season rustiness with his fastball command to overpower hitters late in the campaign. He struck out 10 batters in each of his last two starts before notching 11 in his first playoff appearance. Fried showed a plus fastball at 92-95 mph and even touched 97 on several occasions, though his fastball command is below-average. He throws a hard curveball that generated many of his strikeouts. He also throws a slower breaking ball primarily early in counts and became more consistent with both breaking balls as the year progressed. Fried’s improving changeup features solid fade and depth and generates swings and misses.

The Future: Fried finished the season with 44 strikeouts in his last 25.1 innings, counting the South Atlantic League playoffs. He’ll try to maintain that momentum in 2017 at high Class A Florida. With more command, he could pitch toward the front of a big league rotation.