Atlanta Braves Top MLB Prospects 2018

ORGANIZATIONAL RANKINGS
Last Three Years

2017: 1st

2016: 3rd

2015: 22nd

Notable Graduations: Double-play combo SS Dansby Swanson (1) and 2B Ozzie Albies (2) and LHP Sean Newcomb (8) gained valuable experience.

Trending: ⬅️➡️ Still one of the best.

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Strengths: Even after graduating Sean Newcomb, this is the deepest group of pitching prospects in the game. Atlanta has a full rotation of starting pitching prospects who have experience at Double-A or higher, with another wave of young arms right behind them. The Braves are especially deep in lefty starters. Ronald Acuna gives the Braves a cornerstone position prospect to build around as well. The team’s catching depth has also improved dramatically.

Weaknesses: After graduating Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies and Johan Camargo from last year’s Top 30 Prospects, the farm system lacks middle infield prospects, especially ones who have full-season minor league experience.

BEST TOOLS

🔸Best Hitter For Average: Ronald Acuna.
🔸Best Power Hitter: Ronald Acuna.
🔸Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Brett Cumberland.
🔸Fastest Baserunner: Cristian Pache.
🔸Best Athlete: Cristian Pache.
🔸Best Fastball: Luiz Gohara.
🔸Best Curveball: Max Fried.
🔸Best Slider: A.J. Minter.
🔸Best Changeup: Kolby Allard.
🔸Best Control: Mike Soroka.
🔸Best Defensive Catcher: Lucas Herbert.
🔸Best Defensive Infielder: Austin Riley.
🔸Best Infield Arm: Austin Riley.
🔸Best Defensive Outfielder: Cristian Pache.
🔸Best Outfield Arm: Ray-Patrick Didder.

PROJECTED 2021 LINEUP

(Listed with 2021 season age)

🔸C Alex Jackson (25)
🔸1B Freddie Freeman (32)
🔸2B Ozzie Albies (25)
🔸3B Austin Riley (23)
🔸SS Dansby Swanson (28)
🔸LF Ender Inciarte (31)
🔸CF Cristian Pache (22)
🔸RF Ronald Acuna (23)
🔸SP Luiz Gohara (25)
🔸SP Mike Soroka (24)
🔸SP Kyle Wright (25)
🔸SP Julio Teheran (31)
🔸SP Ian Anderson (23)
🔸CL A.J. Minter (28)

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

(Listed with 2017 organization)

🔸2008: OF Jordan Schafer (Cardinals) WAR: -2.2
🔸2009: RHP Tommy Hanson (Deceased) | WAR: 4.8
🔸2010: OF Jason Heyward (Cubs) | WAR: 34.9
🔸2011: RHP Julio Teheran (Braves) | WAR: 15.6
🔸2012: RHP Julio Teheran (Braves) | WAR: **
🔸2013: RHP Julio Teheran (Braves) | WAR: **
🔸2014: RHP Lucas Sims (Braves) | WAR: N/A
🔸2015: 2B Jose Peraza (Reds) | WAR: -0.9
🔸2016: LHP Sean Newcomb (Braves) | WAR: 1.1
🔸2017: SS Dansby Swanson (Braves) | WAR: 0.6