I’m no David Lee. I’m no JJ Cooper. I’m really not anyone other than a dude that runs a Braves blog and watches a lot of baseball. However, every year when MLB releases their Top-30 prospects list, I cannot help but shake my head. It just feels…safe. Never have I looked at their list and left surprised and/or intrigued that they’ve taken a risk on a player with high upside over someone that “could” be a Major Leaguer.

This year was no different. Truthfully, I think that prospect lists should’ve been put on halt for the 2020 season, as no one really knew what work was or wasn’t going on behind the scenes. I do realize the reasoning to put them out as it gives people something to look forward to (and provides a lot of hits for sites), but it felt disingenuous.

Let’s take Trey Harris, a personal favorite of mine, for example. For some odd reason, the Braves did not invite Trey to the alt-site for the 2020 season, therefore Trey had to either train on his own or find some income to offset the loss of a near-poverty MiLB wage. What did Trey do this offseason? Honestly, I have no idea and likely no one outside of his small circle knows. So, how does someone move Trey up or down for the 2020 season? I have no clue.

Today, I want to go through MLB.com’s Top-30 list, discuss some issues I had with the list when it dropped, some changes that will (or should) happen midseason, and some additions that could come fast and hard if there’s continued progress.

MLB’s Top 30 Prospects for the Atlanta Braves

  1. Cristian Pache
  2. Drew Waters
  3. Shea Langeliers
  4. Braden Shewmake
  5. Kyle Muller
  6. William Contreras
  7. Jared Shuster
  8. Tucker Davidson
  9. Jasseel De La Cruz
  10. Michael Harris
  11. Freddy Tarnok
  12. Bryce Elder
  13. Bryce Ball
  14. Trey Harris
  15. Victor Vodnik
  16. Jesse Franklin
  17. Daysbel Hernandez
  18. Vaughn Grissom
  19. Greyson Jenista
  20. CJ Alexander
  21. Spencer Strider
  22. Thomas Burrows
  23. Kasey Kalich
  24. Tyler Owens
  25. Logan Brown
  26. Justin Dean
  27. William Woods
  28. Mahki Backstrom
  29. Stephen Paolini
  30. Jared Johnson

Shea Over Contreras?

We can get nitpicky with Shea Langeliers at 3rd overall and William Contreras 6th, but I’m not. While I do believe Contreras should’ve been at least 5th on this list, I don’t think it’s that out of line to believe there’s more polish on Langeliers.

Muller it Over?

Muller is a physical specimen, but has yet to show any ability to command the zone. All the while, Davidson has spent the last 2 offseasons perfecting his craft and turning himself into a real prospect after being a 19th round afterthought in the 2016 draft. He showed that polish in his 2021 debut and hopefully we’ll see him again soon. Enough already. Tucker’s the better prospect.

DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO MICHAEL HARRIS IS?!

I’m not here to tell you what to believe, but I believe in Michael Harris and his abilities. If this were my list, Michael Harris might be at the number 1 slot and many would think that hasty. I’ve said it several times…when the greats start talking, we should listen. When Chipper Jones throws the comp “Left-handed Ronald Acuña Jr” and a 20 year is the talk of spring training, it’s enough to catapult a player into top prospect discussions. Harris is destroying the ball at High-A and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him in the bigs come May of 2022. He’s 10th on this list…he should be in the Top-5…and he could very well be my number 1 by midseason.

Give me a Shot of Vodnik

I love Trey Harris. He’s an easy dude to root for and could end up making it to the show as a 4th OFer/platoon player, but it’s criminal that Victor Vodnik is ranked behind him. Vodnik is currently at AA carrying a 2.57 ERA with a 12.2 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 14 innings. Trey’s struggling out the gate at Mississippi and while he deserves prospect consideration, it’s likely in the 20ish range.

Thomas Burrows, CJ Alexander and Logan Brown? You Serious, Clark?

Burrows is 26 years old. Alexander is 24. Logan Brown is 24. How about we actually try filling out the back of this list with older guys that are actually performing?

The Dean’s List

Hey, look. A performing 24 year old. Not only is Justin Dean a performing 24 year old, but he’s a career .280/.385/.421 player with 68 SBs to 20 CS and budding power. Seriously…stop looking over this man. He’s should be in the top 20 and the only reason he’s not is because of his size. Ozzie Albies would like a word on that subject…

Tidbits on Early Favorites to Break In at Midseason

  • Joey Estes-16th round pick in 2019 pumping mid-90s heat as a starter with a 12.8 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9. At Augusta and only 19.
  • Roddery Munoz-The talk of the town after his first outing stateside. He’s young, raw, and can touch triple digits. “Munoz is 96-98 early. Lively up. Tends to flatten out at the thighs. Upper-80s SL has good tilt and is consistently tight so far.” ~David Lee
  • Riley Unroe– A baseball rat and can do a lot of things well. Should get more recognition.
  • Indigo Diaz– A serious stud of a RP catching a lot of eyes in the first. Keep tabs on this one. His line thus far: 6 G, 9.1 IP, 2 H, 0.96 ERA, 3 BB, 19 K, .065 BAA, 18.3 K/9
  • Ricky DeVito– Hitting as high as 97 on the radar and carrying a 2.0 BB/9, 10.8 K/9 and a 1.35 ERA, DeVito could be a fast mover through the sysem.
  • Trey Riley– Was disastrous in 2019 and is rewriting his future one pitch at a time. Now a full-time multi-inning reliever, Riley can focus on the upper 90s fastball and wipeout slider and putting opponents in bodybags. He’s currently carrying a 3.75 ERA with 13 Ks in 12 innings.
  • Others worthy of tabbing: Beau Philip, Cody Milligan, Alec Barger, Darius Vines, Willie Carter, and Carter Linton

Also…Mahki Backstrom is going to be a monster and Willie Carter is a late blooming masher to keep tabs on.

Now let’s end this piece with a series of tweets talking about our prospects. Follow these guys if you have a Twitter account.