After a fourth consecutive losing season, this one paired with apparent front-office chaos, prospects are the primary, if not lone, source of optimism for Braves fans these days.
Progress on that front has been positive. The Braves boast either the best or second-best system in the majors (debate the White Sox). Simply put, the next general manager will reap the benefits of the past few years, when accumulating raw talent mattered more than winning.
Here's a recap of how the Braves' five best prospects, according to Baseball America's latest ranking, released July 7, finished the season. Second baseman Ozzie Albies (No. 3 in system, No. 25 overall) and Sean Newcomb (6, 42) are excluded. Their rookie status extinguished, and both players already are key contributors in the bigs.
OF Ronald Acuna, No. 10 overall
Before the season, Baseball America said the team’s then-No. 6 (62 overall) prospect had “as high a ceiling as any Braves position player. Good call.
Acuna’s listing at No. 10 now is too low, and Baseball America likely agrees. He was named their minor league all-classification player of the year, the Braves’ minor league player of the year, among several other honors.
Over 139 games, the 19-year-old Acuna hit .325 with 21 homers, 82 RBIs and 44 steals. Acuna jumped from Single-A to Triple-A in a few short months, and was within striking distance of the majors in September.
For more on the soon-to-be Braves starting outfielder, here are his highlights throughout the season.
RHP Kolby Allard, No. 23 overall
Perhaps the best left-hander in the system, the 20-year-old Allard isn’t far from a major league debut himself. The fact that Allard didn’t win any organizational awards speaks to the team’s minor-league depth.
Since his promotion to Double-A Mississippi, Allard posted a 3.18 ERA over a by-far career-high 150 innings. He flashed top-of-the-rotation potential, most important, and struck out 129 against 45 walks.
Max Fried, Luiz Gohara and Newcomb are southpaw prospects who’ve debuted in Atlanta. Obviously the rotation won’t consist completely of lefties, but the Braves have an excess of high-caliber left-handers, which is an extremely rare position to be in.
RHP Mike Soroka, No. 33 overall
Soroka was named the Braves’ minor league pitcher of the year after pitching to a 2.75 ERA over 153 2/3 innings in Mississippi. He tallied 125 strikeouts to 34 walks – not quite as dynamic as Allard, but Soroka may have the higher floor.
The 28th pick in the 2015 draft, Soroka threw 143 innings, more than any prep first-rounder had across his first full season in over a decade.
Soroka projects, at worst, to be a mid-rotation starter. This season provided hope he can become much more. He’s likely to open 2018 in Triple-A Gwinnett.
"I think I learned more this year in Double-A than I have my entire life combined," Soroka told the AJC. "Derrick Lewis, our pitching coach in Double-A, was tremendous. It was every game we had multiple things to learn. Just some things to watch as you go forward. I feel like a completely new guy now. So to have that confidence going forward is pretty special."
RHP Kyle Wright, No. 41 overall
About a week before the 2017 draft, the Twins appeared set on Wright at No. 1 overall. Conditions changed, to the surprise of the Braves, and the Vanderbilt ace slipped to No. 5.
The organization coveted Wright, a likeable southern kid who – you guessed it – grew up a Braves fan. He handled a heavy workload for the Commodores, so Wright was limited to 17 innings in rookie league and high Single-A Florida. He allowed five runs in those innings, striking out 18 and walking six.
Immediately jumping into Baseball America’s top 50 speaks to how Wright is viewed in the industry. Unlike most of the other Braves’ young arms, he pitched against top college players and competed for titles in one of the better NCAA conferences.
If all goes well, Wright debuts in 2019. But don’t rule out him cracking the majors next season if he dominates. Vanderbilt pitchers – Mike Minor, David Price, Sonny Gray – come in ready. Few would be surprised if Wright quickly passes those in front of him.
RHP Ian Anderson, No. 55 overall
The No. 3 overall pick two years ago, Anderson somehow has become the forgotten man. He pitched 83 innings in Single-A Rome, earning a 3.14 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 29 walks along the way.
Anderson fought through pneumonia and minor injuries during his senior year of high school, and the Braves signed him to a below-slot $4 million bonus. Had he not signed, Anderson would’ve joined Wright at Vanderbilt.
Anderson’s fastball sits at 92-94 mph, and has hit 97. His curve and change-up project to be better than average. Baseball America had him with mid-rotation potential to start the year, and he continued that trajectory in 2017.
Soroka and Allard developing at such an exuberant rate shouldn’t be held against Anderson. He’s progressing as a 19-year-old should.
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