Karl Ehrsam, aka Snowshine, has long been our in-house guru for all of the Braves Minor Leagues. This list is his own and I absolutely love the detail he puts into each player. Today’s list will feature the Braves Top 30-25 prospects, which likely means most of you have never heard of them!
30. Herrick Hernandez, LHP, 22, 2027
Our 4th round pick from Miami, where he was unspectacular (I’m being kind) in his one season. The kid got drafted based on a 95+ fastball with a high level of vertical break which is something the team has prioritized the last couple years. The secondaries are a work in progress and the development team wants to, “level his stride while increasing his extension a bit.” No, I don’t know exactly what that means either 🙂
29. Hayden Harris, LHP, 26, AAA, 2025
The stuff screams, “NO!!!” while the results keep saying yes. Teams no longer carry Loogies so his chance at a lengthy big league career is likely gone but he will be on somebody’s Triple A shuttle before long.
28. Ian Mejia, LHP, 25, AA, 2026
Mejia would like to become the next Jesse Chavez and while that might be setting the bar low, Uncle Jess has had 17 years in the bigs. This junkballer has a well located but below average fastball (in 3 varieties, of course) as well as a plus slider and a useful change. AAA will be the test as the Southern League just killed homers last season and Ian might be prone to that weakness.
27. Mario Baez, SS, 18, A-, 2028
He looked physically overmatched in the complex this year and is supposedly doing strength work over the winter. Because the scouts still see physical growth potential in his frame. He has a much higher ceiling than #18 Jon Gill but also has far less chance of getting there.
26. Luis Vargas, RHP, 23, A+, 2026
We stay with the midgets. VarGAS has a terrific fastball and a very promising slider and no idea where any of his pitches are going. He was asked by the team to dial down the velocity when he got to Rome mid-year and only walked 3 per 9 but also saw his strikeouts dip under 9 per. Thus far he has only been used as a starter so a shift to the pen may result in the best of both worlds. Was Rule 5 eligible this year and didn’t get taken. Given the quality of his 2 pitches I can’t see that happening again.
Ryan’s Pick
For me, Hayden Harris has the best chance to make the bigs and stick around for a year or 2. The Braves, as of now, are short on left handed relief and I could see Hayden being on the Gwinnett/ATL shuttle in 2025.
snowshine on a North Georgia snow day. How appropriate
Jeff Hoffman to the Jays.
We need a lefty out of the bullpen way more, but 3/$33 is a great price, and I wish we had signed him.
There are reports the Orioles pulled their offer after a physical, but they are known for having really tough physicals, so I’m not sure what to make of it.
It’s a great price relative to what we paid for Pierce or JJ. It is higher for a non-closer. But yes, I would much rather have him at that price than Johnson at his.
Thanks Karl.
Amen, Snowshine. You’re the best at this.
Looks like we signed another washed up former-Marlin in Garrett Cooper. Wish we had the 2021 version. That guy was a tough out.