Today’s the day, folks. The final straw in the hat of our wonderful in-house scout, Snowshine. Thanks for spilling your words at Braves Journal! If you’re behind, here are all the pieces that’s been written.
- 9 Just Missed Braves Prospects
- Braves Top Prospects, #21-25
- Braves Top Prospects, #20-16
- Braves Top Prospects, #15-11
- Braves Top Prospects, #10-6
Braves Top Prospects, #5, Cole Phillips, RHP, None, 20, TRADED TO SEATTLE
Being a prospect hound can become difficult when one of your favorites ends up playing in no competitive games for 2 years. You begin to question your ability to recognize the traits needed to make it in the show. You wonder what would have happened if you had said, “yes” to that dirty clown’s question at the Apple Festival way back when….Anyway, Phillips had Tommy John just after being drafted in 2022 and has yet to make his official pro debut although we got some glowing reports from extended spring training on him including video of him hitting 99 mph. While it is concerning that he made no actual pro appearances this season, the organization is still very high on him as he has “great tools and better makeup”. I still believe this is the guy with the highest ceiling in the organization.
Braves Top Pospects, #4, JR Ritchie, RHP, 21, A, ???
Currently out with Tommy John. Ritchie is a 2022 1st round supplemental round pick. In his short time on the mound he did nothing to tamp down expectations, running a 25-2 K:BB in 13 innings (that’s good!) Before surgery he had a 97 mph fastball with a wipeout curve. He should get back into action late next season although the team was very cautious with Cole Phillips in a similar rehab this season.
Braves Top Prospects, #3, Owen Murphy, RHP, 20, A+, 2026
The only one of our 2022 high round draft picks to stay healthy he lands here by default. Thus far the results – other than durability – have been middling but the package is still exciting. While he did strike out 11 per 9, the hits against him piled up and we were left wondering where the plus fastball from his draft year went. The curve and change were borderline great and he already has good command and pitchability so any return on the fastball will signal a breakout.
Braves Top Prospects, #2, Hurston Waldrep, RHP, AAA, 21, 2024
Our first round pick this year at #24 overall. Waldrep was highly touted before the college season and was expected to be in the mix for the top 6 picks overall but ended up dropping due to command issues (5 bb/9!). Still, an arm that gets 156 strikeouts in 101 innings in the SEC gets your attention and the Braves (and me!) were overjoyed that he dropped so far. His short minor league odyssey did nothing to douse expectations as he struck out 33% of batters faced while reaching AAA. His best pitch is a split change although he touches 98 with the fastball and has an effective slider as well. His command will likely determine the ultimate upside. I can see him in the bullpen for the stretch and the playoffs next season.
Braves Top Prospects, #1, AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP, 21, Majors, Now
Recognized as having the best tools in the system coming into 2023, nobody could have seen this kid’s meteoric rise through the system. Last year he had a plus plus fastball and pretty much nothing else. As 2023 went on he displayed an average to plus curveball and splitter while becoming more efficient with his pitch count. Don’t get me wrong, he still walked too many but what we saw at every level was him initially struggle with command but then adjust and get better. These successful adjustments extended to his 24 innings in Atlanta where other than 1 start, the walks were under control. As he struck out 12.6 guys/9 in the minors, this is very exciting! BTW, he didn’t get to throw his curve or change much as the team wanted him to concentrate on the slider (which was not good but got better as the season went on and pairs better with the fastball). Baseball America thinks these are both potential plus pitches, and that would be awesome. To tamp down expectations I hope the team brass is planning something like a max of 130 innings or so in 2024 and then take the kid gloves off for ‘25. My expectations range from “AAA still learning” to “OMG, Another Ace!”
Thank you, Karl, this was a really great series!
Who is your favorite prospect and who will be the biggest positive surprise?
Fav has to be Lara for this season — electric stuff and will be on the team I see the most — Rome
The surprise will be that, “The Millionaire” (can I still lobby for “Lovee” as a nickname instead?) will see action in Atlanta this summer.
Who is the millionaire?
I believe that’s a Gilligan’s Island reference, to Thurston Howell III. For many of you that is before your time. For me, seems like yesterday.
BTW, I’ll second “Lovee” but shouldn’t that be reserved for Mr. Waldrep’s significant other (if there is one)?
Or we could always go with “Darrell.”
Andruw Jones receives 61.6% of Hall of Fame votes in his seventh year on the ballot.
What happens at the Apple Festival stays at the Apple Festival.
Karl,
I remember something about splits at Major League level on AJSS being very scary, like 700 against right handed hitters and 900 against left handed hitters. That severe of a split had not shown up in the minors.
Have you run that to ground? Any thoughts on it?
The split was mainly caused by his inability to locate the slider away Vs lefties who subsequently teed off on the fastball. He needs the change and curve to develop and I really hope he gets at least 15 starts in Gwinnett before coming back up.
We have a new thread.