The Braves added several college players on the second day of the MLB draft, adding experience to a relatively young system.
They chose seven players Tuesday, going with four pitchers, two infielders and an outfielder.
Scouting director Brian Bridges felt they made the most of a situation that left them without a third-round choice and with limited spending room as opposed to years past.
Tristan Beck, a righty from Stanford, was the team's first selection of the day in the fourth round. The team first targeted him in 2015, but he declined their overtures and opted for college.
In Monday’s picks, righty Carter Stewart and outfielder Greyson Jenista, plus Beck, Bridges felt the team nabbed three first-round talents.
The Braves took right-hander Trey Riley, of John A. Logan College, in the fifth. He struck out 117 in 77 2/3 innings last season while throwing three complete games.
Riley possesses a mid-90s fastball along with a slider, change and curveball. He's a Missouri State commit, but told The Edwardsville Intelligencer he will pursue a pro career.
“He’s very athletic,” Bridges said. “Doesn’t have a lot of body fat. He’s 92-97 mph with a slider. He’s very loose and athletic. … He’s going to be successful with three above-average pitches.”
The Braves took outfielder Andrew Moritz from UNC Greensboro in the sixth round, meaning they invested three of their first five selections in college players, two of whom are hitters.
Part of the reason the Braves went the college route was because of their circumstances.
“The money and the lack thereof as we’ve had in the past,” Bridges said. “When you have that kind of money going into the draft, money is power. That gives you the power to go after some of the guys who are unsignable or have high price tags, and it gives you a chance to take more of those high school players at that point. So you have to play the hand you’re dealt.”
And this draft dealt more right-handers than lefties, according to Bridges. The Braves chose their fourth righty of the class in the seventh round in Brooks Wilson.
Wilson, who closed, played first and served as designated hitter for Stetson last season, will remain in a relief role with the Braves, at least for now.
He has starter experience, and Bridges wouldn’t rule out experimenting with him there after the first year depending on how the process goes.
“He started a little bit in 2016, so he has that in his background,” Bridges said. “He’s 92, 93 touching 94 mph. Closes with a split and a really good curveball. Throws a lot of strikes. Again, he’s a great makeup kid and we’re fortunate to get him. That was kind of a hot spot for him.”
The Braves took former player Tony Graffanino’s son, A.J., in the eighth round. Graffanino was a middle infielder for the Washington Huskies.
He was slowed by a hamstring injury for much of the year, and returned playing second base rather than shortstop. He prefers the latter, and the Braves will let him play shortstop full-time.
Right-hander Ryan Shetter from Texas Tech went to the Braves in round nine. He’s another arm with experience as a starter and reliever.
After starting one game in 2016, Shetter started 23 over the past two seasons. He had a career-best 2.97 ERA with 69 strikeouts against 26 walks in 63 2/3 innings in 2018. Opponents hit .203 against him.
Carson-Newman third baseman Brett Langhorne closed the day for the Braves. After two seasons at Tennessee, Langhorne transferred to Carson-Newman and posted a breakthrough season in which he hit .323 with six homers, along with 17 stolen bases.
He hit .327 this season, with eight homers and 42 RBIs. He stole 20 bases.
Wednesday marks the longest day of the draft cycle, when the Braves will make another 30 selections.
Given the franchise’s limitations in the international market, they’re expected to opt for as many signable players as possible, as Bridges alluded.
