Braves’ David McCabe Shows Intriguing Power Upside
The Braves have graduated or traded so much prospect talent in recent years that the organization’s farm system is light on position talent.
Switch-hitting third baseman David McCabe, drafted in the fourth round last year out of Charlotte, is a candidate to help fill the void.
McCabe blasted 30 home runs over his last two collegiate seasons in Conference USA. Former Braves vice president of scouting Dana Brown loved the power he provided from both sides of the plate.
The 23-year-old McCabe got off to a good start in his pro career, hitting his way out of Low-A Augusta after 42 games this season. Through 68 games for Augusta and High-A Rome he hit .272/.385/.473 with 12 home runs, 45 walks and 74 strikeouts.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound McCabe was drafted as a third baseman, but the Braves acknowledge he might require a move to first base one day. His fielding percentage at the hot corner was a poor .892 this season.
But the Braves drafted McCabe for his power potential. Brown noted at the time that the National League adopting the DH allowed the Braves to think differently.
“A lot of times in the past, because we’re a National League team, you would draft guys who you knew could play a position,” Brown said.
“Now, you have some flexibility that if you really like the (player’s) bat, and he could play a big role in your lineup and hit somewhere between one and six, you may be more interested in that player. With a guy like McCabe, a switch-hitter with power, that is intriguing.”
While defensive issues remain, McCabe gives the Braves an exiting young power prospect at a time when the system isn’t exactly stacked with blue-chip young hitters.
SHORT NOTES
— Low-A Augusta righthander Spencer Schwellenbach was the Braves’ only representative in the Futures Game. The 23-year-old has had success in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.63 ERA over his first 13 starts in the Carolina League.
— Shortstop Vaughn Grissom continued excelling offensively in Triple-A Gwinnett, but with all-star shortstop Orlando Arcia’s emergence, Grissom doesn’t have a path to a consistent role in Atlanta. He could be the team’s best trade chip this month as it tries to fortify its roster. The 22-year-old Grissom has tasted MLB success and could be a worthy addition for a club that could give him playing time.
