With spring training kicking off, we’ll begin to look forward at what the 2018 season holds for the Braves. Though the Braves draw closer every day to completing their rebuild, the attention this season should fall heavily on the performance of minor league system and the players that will graduate to the major leagues in the next year or so. We’ve put together roster predictions for each of the four full season teams, based on their performance in 2017 and the Braves history. While spring training and the philosophies of the new front office will greatly impact the final assignments, we should be able to give a rough outline of the names going into this season.
Starting Pitchers
Ian Anderson, Tucker Davidson, Jeremy Walker, Bryse Wilson, Joey Wentz
This Florida team should carry all of Rome’s rotation from last season (though Wentz may make his way up to AA if they want to push things). This is a star-studded list that features 4 of Talking Chop’s Top 20 Braves prospects and 3 of the top 12. Wentz comes in as the leader of staff by the list, and features three average or better pitches that led to a special 2017 season for him. His fastball has slowly begun to gain velocity and now sits in the lower 90’s, and with his showing in high school he can sit in the mid-90’s there may be room to grow. His curveball is an easy plus pitch, and he features a changeup that is above average and the best command among pitchers in the lower minor leagues in the system. Ian Anderson features the highest potential of the rotation and could be TOR starter as long as he stays healthy. Anderson missed time in 2017 but when he was on the field flashed massive potential and developed enough throughout the season that many evaluators felt confident giving him that top of rotation status.If he stays healthy and performs up to his potential he could finish the year as a top 20 prospect overall, and you can count me as one of many who feel this season will be a breakout season for Anderson. Bryse Wilson was arguably better than both Wentz and Anderson in 2017, and flashed three above average or better pitches with a feel for command. Wilson may be the third pitcher on this staff but he is easily one of Talking Chop’s favorite prospects, and could also be a breakout candidate (if a 2.50 ERA as a 19yo in A Ball wasn’t good enough for you). Tucker Davidson spent much of 2017 in the bullpen, but came to life as a starter and pitched to a 2.76 ERA in that role for Rome. Davidson is probably the most underrated prospect in the system, and many evaluators feel he will leap up on prospect lists this season with 3 average or better pitches and above average command.
Relief Pitchers
Junior Rincon, Jon Kennedy, Brandon White, Hayden Deal, Oriel Caicedo, Chad Sobotka, Bruce Zimmerman, Cutter Dyals, Thomas Burrows
There is some talent in this bullpen, starting with star reliever Thomas Burrows. Burrows was electric for Rome last season with a 2.16 ERA, and given his repertoire of pitches likely won’t spend much time in Florida, possibly skipping the level altogether if spring goes well for him. Brandon White was hugely successful for Rome as well, and spent some time in Florida towards the end of the season although with less rosy results. White should be one of the top relievers on this team and probably won’t stay in Florida past the all star break. Jon Kennedy is a massive pitcher, listed at 6’5 but definitely closer to 6’9 given that measurement is a few years old. Still, he’s not as overpowering as his frame would suggest and showed more ability as a control pitcher with only 6 walks in 78 1⁄3 innings. He relies on his frame to get him downhill action and deception, and has the potential to be a serious innings eater in middle relief.
Catchers
Lucas Herbert, Drew Lugbauer, Tanner Murphy
3 talented, very frustrating players make out the catchers list for Florida. Lucas Herbert had a bit of a breakout month or so in 2017, but his bat still lags behind and hasn’t shown near as much production as it has potential. Still, he comes in as a strong prospect due to his incredibly advanced defensive skills. He is one of the best receivers I’ve seen in the minor leagues and has gained trust and acclaim from those that have thrown to him. Drew Lugbauer is the offensively minded catcher of the bunch, and is all about the power with his .253 ISO in 2017. His strikeouts are a problem and he likely won’t stay behind the plate, but if he can continue to tap into his power potential as he advances through the system the Braves will find a place for him.
Infielders
Jordan Rodgers, Alejandro Salazar, Kevin Franklin, Marcus Mooney, Riley Delgado
There’s not much to see in the infield for Florida, as the players project more as defensive-minded bench players than anything. Jordan Rodgers is an interesting player in the group, as he has shown potential with the bat and is the most likely of the group to make it to the major leagues. Salazar and Mooney are both fantastic defenders up the middle and will make quite the double play tandem.
Outfielders
Garrison Schwartz, Leudys Baez, Cristian Pache, Stephen Gaylor, Anthony Concepcion
The hype about this Florida lineup begins with Cristian Pache, and there is every reason to believe he will deliver. He was a consistent threat in Rome’s lineup hitting around .280 all year with a good walk rate and few strikeouts, and although he hasn’t shown it yet he has fringe average power potential and should at least have strong gap power. Pache’s value comes primarily from his glove, which is already major league ready and has easy gold glove potential. His routes, jumps, and closing speed are uncanny and few if any outfielders in the minor leagues can rival his skills. He has arm strength to boot and will stay in center field long term, where his abilities with the bat should be enough to make him an above average center fielder. Leudys Baez has even more raw potential with plus power potential, and he more consistently barrelled balls in 2017 following some tweaks to his swing to keep his body from opening too quickly. His walk rates also went up, and if he can continue that success into 2017 he may finally turn his massive potential into tangible performance.