The Prospects
Introduction: This is a brief guide to the top prospects in the Braves minor league system. Some of these players are near Major League-ready; others are several years away at least. The top guys are seen by some as “future stars;” towards the end of the list you will find “high ceiling” guys who could just as easily fall off the map. There are also some players who don’t project as stars but who none the less could be Major Leaguers at some point.
Note: Lots of help from the folks at Baseball Prospectus with this one. Also help from Talking Chop.
Pitchers
Julio Teheran (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 20
Experience: 4th season
High Level: AAA
Drafted/Signed: 2007 out of Colombia
Notes: Widely (if not unanimously) regarded as the #1 pitching prospect in all of baseball. He has power and command. He projects as no-less than an ace. Pitched for low-A, advanced-A, AA last season, posting combined 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 159 K in 142.2 innings. Appeared in 2 games this spring training, allowing no runs on 3 hits and 0 walks with a strikeout in 2 innings of work.
2011: 2 starts, 9.2 innings, 2 earned runs at AAA.
ETA: 2012
Arodys Vizcaino (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 20
Experience: 4th season
High Level: Advanced-A
Drafted/Signed: 2007 out of Dominican Republic
Notes: Came over from Yanks in deal for Javier Vazquez. Was having a super 2010 before being shutdown with elbow problems. He has great velocity and command, but is a bit undersized. The hope is that he will be a top end of the rotation starter. It’s possible that he won’t be able to handle the load physically as a starter and will end up a reliever (albeit a dominant one). In 4 appearances during ST allowed 2 runs on 7 hits and no walks with 3 K over 4.1 innings.
2011: 2 starts, 10 IP, 5 runs (3 earned), 10 K at advanced-A.
ETA: 2013
Randall Delgado (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 21
Experience: 5th season
High Level: AA
Drafted/Signed: 2006 out of Panama
Notes: Delgado has both great stuff and command. Stamina is a question at this point. He does not have the ace type stuff of Teheran and Vizcaino, but he projects as a solid #3 starter and maybe better. Last year at advanced-A and AA he posted 3.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 162 K in 161 innings. Pitched in 3 games this ST, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and no walks with 3 K over 3 innings.
2011: 3 starts, 16.2 innings, 6 runs (3 earned), 18 K at AA.
ETA: 2012
Carlos Perez (Starter)
Pitches: Left Handed
Age: 19
Experience: 3rd season
High Level: low-A
Drafted/Signed: 2008 out of Dominican Republic
Notes: The expectation level falls off dramatically after the top 3 (Teheran, Vizcaino, Delgado), but there’s plenty of talent beyond. Perez is a long and lean left hander who is still growing into his frame. He has a reputation for being a tough competitor. Last season at Rookie and low-A, Perez posted 1.62 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 31 K in 39 innings. The top left handed pitching prospect in the organization.
2011: 3 starts, 15 innings, 6 runs (4 earned), 19 K at low-A.
ETA: 2014
JJ Hoover (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 23
Experience: 4th season
High Level: AA
Drafted/Signed: 10th round of 2008 draft
Notes: Hoover is thick physically and aggressive in style. He consistently gets ahead of batters and is able to last deep into the game. However, he is sometimes too much over the plate. In other words, he will groove a pitch that is simply too hittable (this would especially be the case in the big leagues). At advanced-A and AA last season, Hoover went 14-7 with 3.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 152 K in 153.1 innings. Has been compared to Brandon Beachy.
2011: 3 games, 2 starts, 9.2 innings, 3 earned runs, 10 K at AA.
ETA: 2012
Brett Oberholtzer (Starter)
Pitches: Left Handed
Age: 22 (on 7/1)
Experience: 4th season
High Level: AA
Drafted/Signed: 8th round of 2008 draft
Notes: A physical left hander who pounds the zone consistently. Pitched at low-A and advanced-A last season, posting 3.78 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 126 K in 135.2 innings. Made 4 appearances in ST, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits and 4 walks with only 1 K over 6.2 innings.
2011: 2 starts, 11.2 innings, 2 earned runs, 9 K at AA.
ETA: 2012
Stephen Marek (Reliever)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 27
Experience: 7th season
High Level: AAA
Drafted/Signed: 40th round of 2004 draft
Notes: There is another drop off in expectation at this point. Amazingly, Marek is all the Braves have left to show for Mark Teixeira. Marek could be called up to help out in the bullpen in Atlanta at some point this season. At AA and AAA last year, Marek pitched in 60 games and recorded 13 saves with a 1.14 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and 74 K in 63.1 innings. During ST he made 6 appearances, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 5 walks with 6 K over 6.1 innings.
2011: 4 games, 5.1 innings, 0 runs, 7 K, 3 hits, 0 BB.
ETA: 2011 or 2012
Benino Pruneda (Reliever)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 23 (on 8/8)
Experience: 5th season
High Level: AA
Drafted/Signed: 31st round of 2007 draft
Notes: This guy is tiny, but he gets a lot of guys to swing and miss. Last year at advanced-A and AA, Pruneda pitched in 45 games and fanned 93 over 64.2 innings.
2011: 4 games, 3.2 innings, 5 runs (4 earned), 6 BB, 3 K at AA.
ETA: 2013 or 2014
Paul Clemens (Starter/Reliever)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 23
Experience: 4th season
High Level: AA
Drafted/Signed: 7th round of 2008 draft
Notes: Baseball Prospectus labeled Clemens a “sleeper.” He has a power arm, but at this point it’s not clear whether he fits best as a starter or as a reliever. He made 27 relief appearances and 8 starts last year at low-A and advanced-A, posting a 3.23 ERA.
2011: 2 starts, 10 innings, 6 runs (3 earned), 11 K at AA.
ETA: 2013 or 2014
Zeke Spruill (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 21
Experience: 4th season
High Level: Advanced-A
Drafted/Signed: 2nd round of 2008 draft
Notes: There’s obviously a lot of hope placed in Spruill, as he was drafted in the 2nd round, but he struggled at low-A last year. He was simply way too hittable.
2011: 2 starts, 11 innings, 5 runs (4 earned), 6 K at advanced-A.
ETA: NA
Tyler Stovall (Starter/Reliever)
Pitches: Left Handed
Age: 21
Experience: 4th season
High Level: Low-A
Drafted/Signed: 2nd of 2008 draft
Notes: Like Spruill, there is hope placed in Stovall, as he was a 2nd round pick in 2008, but he struggled at low-A last year. He did have good K numbers, however.
2011: 3 games, 3.1 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 4 BB, 0 K at A.
ETA: NA
Erik Cordier (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 25
Experience: 6th (missed 2005 and 2007)
High Level: AAA
Drafted/Signed: 2nd round of 2004 draft
Notes: Cordier is on the edge of no longer being correctly termed a “prospect.” He came over from KC in a deal for Tony Pena Jr. Injuries have hampered his career. At AA and AAA last year he was 12-8 in 23 starts with a 3.82 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.
2011: On the 7-day DL at AAA.
ETA: NA
Cory Rasmus (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 23
Experience: 5th season (missed 2007)
High Level: Advanced-A
Drafted/Signed: 1st round of 2006 draft
Notes: Pitching at low-A and advanced-A last year, Rasmus made 28 appearances, including 20 starts, and posted a 3.18 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP.
2011: 2 starts, 8.1 innings, 9 hits, 11 runs (5 earned), 17 K at advanced-A.
ETA: NA
Steve Kent (Starter/Reliever)
Pitches: Left Handed
Age: 22
Experience: 5th season (missed 2009)
High Level: Low-A
Drafted/Signed: Signed out of Australia in 2007
Notes: Dominant in 19 games as reliever at low-A last year.
2011: 2 starts, 11 innings, 9 hits, 4 runs, 7 K at A.
ETA: NA
David Filak (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 21
Experience: 2nd season
High Level: Low-A
Drafted/Signed: 4th round of 2010 draft
Notes: Filak went to Oneonta State as a catcher, thinking he might not get much playing time, but he went 18-5 as a pitcher in 3 years with the Red Dragons and wound up getting drafted in the 4th round. He was Impressive in Rookie league last year.
2011: 2 starts, 7.1 innings, 9 hits, 6 runs, 7 BB, 5 K.
ETA: NA
Abraham Espinosa (Starter)
Pitches: Right Handed
Age: 18 (on 6/3)
Experience: 2nd season
High Level: Dominican Summer League
Drafted/Signed: 2010 out of Dominican Republic
Notes: Highly touted signee from the DR.
2011: NA
ETA: NA
Position Players
Matt Lipka (Shortstop)
Bats: Right Handed
Age: 19
Experience: 2nd season
High Level: Low-A
Drafted/Signed: 1st round of 2010 draft
Notes: Good speed, very shaky glove. Reputation as hard worker. Impatient hitter at this point. Only 1 homer in 208 AB in Rookie ball last year. Did steal 21 bases in 24 tries. 1 for 3 with a double and a strikeout this ST.
2011: .260 average with no EXBH in 50 AB at low-A.
ETA: 2014
Edward Salcedo (Shortstop/Third Baseman)
Bats: Right Handed
Age: 20 (on 7/30)
Experience: 2nd season
High Level: Low-A
Drafted/Signed: 2010 out of Dominican Republic
Notes: He was overwhelmed by introduction to America/pro ball last year. Super arm but not much range at short. Not too fast. Currently trying to transition to third base. Needs discipline at the plate.
2011: Tearing it up at low-A, hitting .349 with a .952 OPS in 43 at bats.
ETA: 2014
Christian Bethancourt (Catcher)
Bats: Right Handed
Age: 19
Experience: 4th season
High Level: low-A
Drafted/Signed: 2008 out of Panama
Notes: Struggled at the plate in low-A last year. Good against base stealers. 0 for 3 with a walk this ST.
2011: 7 for 43 with no BB at low-A.
ETA: NA
Mycal Jones (Outfielder/Shortstop)
Bats: Right Handed
Age: 24 (on 5/30)
Experience: 3rd season
High Level: AA
Drafted/Signed: 4th round of 2009 draft
Notes: Good pop and speed but K’s a ton. Great athlete. Shaky glove. Moved from shortstop to centerfield. Jones’ talent is obvious. Unfortunately he is fighting dual battles against inexperience and age. Jones did not make his high school squad in his freshman or sophomore years, and he rode the bench his junior year. He played regularly his senior year and then played 3 seasons for North Florida. He spent his senior year at Miami-Dade Community College.
Thus, Jones was already 22 when he started playing pro ball, having only a few years of experience at any level under his belt, and even less experience playing against a high level of competition. Played at low-A, advanced-A, and AA last season, and posted a .327 OBP with 15 homers, 22 SB, and 123 K in 504 at bats. He went 2 for 10 with a double, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts during ST.
2011: On 7-day DL at AA.
ETA: NA
Tyler Pastornicky (Shortstop)
Bats: Right Handed
Age: 21
Experience: 4th season
High Level: AA
Drafted/Signed: 5th round of 2008 draft
Notes: Came over from Toronto in Escobar trade. Good glove. Good speed. Great discipline at the plate. But can he hit? Went 3 for 5 with a pair of walks during spring training.
2011: .342 in 38 at bats at AA.
ETA: NA
Andrelton Simmons (Shortstop)
Bats: Right Handed
Age: 21
Experience: 2nd season
High Level: Advanced-A
Drafted/Signed: 2nd round of 2010 draft
Notes: Simmons is a peculiar case. He hails from Curacao (Andy Jones, Jair Jurrjens) but he didn’t get a lot of run as a pro prospect out of high school, so he went to Western Oklahoma State Junior College. There he was able to shine as both a shortstop and a pitcher. Despite being slowed by a toe injury, he did enough in 1 year to warrant a high draft selection. As a defensive shortstop Simmons is top notch, but he may not end up hitting enough for it to matter.
Many scouts felt his greatest value was as a pitcher (clocked at 98 MPH), not only because he had great potential on the mound, but also because many worried that he would never be able to hit enough to be an MLB position player, no matter how good he was in the field. Indeed, upon taking Simmons with the 70th overall pick in 2010, the Braves explained that they had drafted Simmons to be a pitcher.
But somewhere along the way the organization apparently changed their mind. Simmons spent his first year of pro ball playing short. He hit .276 with a .340 OBP at Rookie ball, and outlandish claims about his potential as a defensive shortstop were bandied about. However, the Braves are clearly going against the grain here. At the moment it would appear that they have fouled up, as Simmons is 6 for 34 at advanced-A, and has already made 7 errors in the field.
Perhaps it isn’t a big deal. Maybe they feel that reversing course would not be a major issue, but it might be. Let’s say the Braves decide it isn’t working out and have Simmons convert to full time pitcher next year. Simmons would be starting his first season of pro ball as a pitcher at the age of 22.
2011: 6 for 34 at advanced-A.
ETA: NA
Todd Cunningham (Outfielder)
Bats: Switch
Age: 22
Experience: 2nd season
High Level: Advanced-A
Drafted/Signed: 2nd round of 2010 draft
Notes: Cunningham is a college player who should eventually hit with power. Cunningham spent 3 seasons at Jacksonville State, leading the Gamecocks to a berth in the CWS in his junior year. He also won a Cape Cod League batting title in 2009. 0 for 3 at ST.
2011: 8 for 35 at advanced-A.
ETA: NA
Adam Milligan (Outfielder)
Bats: Left Handed
Age: 23
Experience: 3rd season
High Level: Advanced-A
Drafted/Signed: 6th round of 2008 draft
Notes: That the Braves were high on Milligan had become obvious by the time he became part of the organization. They drafted him 3 years in a row, with Milligan signing with the organization after playing for Walters State junior college. Milligan flat out rakes, but so far he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He had a knee injury coming out of JUCO and did not play until 2009. Went 0 for 2 with a strikeout in ST action.
2011: 9 for 26 with 2 homers at advanced-A.
ETA: NA
Joe Leonard (Third Baseman)
Bats: Right Handed
Age: 23 (on 8/26)
Experience: 2nd season
High Level: Advanced-A
Drafted/Signed: 3rd round of 2010 draft
Notes: 6 foot 5 slugger out of Pitt. Pitched and played third in 3 seasons for the Panthers. Leonard hit .268 at low-A last year in his first season of pro ball.
2011: 7 for 38 at advanced-A.
ETA: NA
Cory Harrilchak (Outfielder)
Bats: Left Handed
Age: 23
Experience: 3rd season
High Level: AA
Drafted/Signed: 14th round of 2009 draft
Notes: Starred as hitter and pitcher during 3 years at Elon. He hit .287 with a .354 OBP at low-A and advanced-A last season. He was 0 for 5 with a walk during spring training.
2011: 10 for 41 with a homer at AA.
ETA: NA
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