The 2021 MLB Draft will get underway on Sunday and the Atlanta Braves hold the 24th pick of the first round. There are a number of different directions that the Braves could go in with their top pick and most of the buzz around them has been centered on high school outfielders and college pitchers. However, FanGraphs projects Eastern Illinois shortstop Trey Sweeney to Atlanta in their latest Mock Draft offering.
The Braves have been attached to plenty of high school outfielders and a few college arms (especially Cusick), but also have a history of taking college middle infielders who check the statistical boxes per their model. Trey Sweeney does just that, with power, walks, and plenty of contact, although evaluators are mixed on his swing mechanics.
Sweeney is 21-years old and is a left handed hitting shortstop who has also seen some time at third base. He hit .382/.522/.712 with 14 home runs in 48 games for Eastern Illinois in 2021. Our own Matt Powers rated him as the seventh best shortstop prospect in his draft rankings and called him the fastest rising college bat in the draft.
What direction do you think the Braves should go in with their first pick? Let us know in the comments below.