The Braves announced Tuesday that they signed their four draftees in addition to six undrafted free agents. The moves added 10 prospects – four pitchers, two infielders, three outfielders, one catcher – to the team’s farm system.
In the first round, the Braves selected Wake Forest left-hander Jared Shuster at No. 25 overall. They took Michigan outfielder Jesse Franklin in the third round (No. 97 overall), Clemson righty Spencer Strider in the fourth (No. 126) and Texas right-hander Bryce Elder in the fifth (No. 156).
Elder, considered a third-round talent who slipped because of signability concerns, required an over-slot agreement. The Braves signed Shuster and Franklin under slot, freeing up money for them to give Elder a bigger deal ($847,500; more than double his fifth-round value).
The Braves didn’t have a second-round pick because of MLB’s free-agent formula. They forfeited the pick when they signed lefty reliever Will Smith in November.
Under MLB’s new format, which included a five-round draft instead of the usual 40, undrafted players were free to sign with any team for a maximum bonus of $20,000. The Braves signed six such prospects.
The most notable signee was Cam Shepherd, the University of Georgia shortstop who was Baseball America's No. 298 overall player and top unselected senior. Shepherd, a defensive wizard, owns the Bulldogs' single-season (.987) and career record (.970) for fielding percentage by a shortstop.
Shepherd, a Peachtree Ridge native, was the first shortstop to complete the 30-game SEC schedule and not commit an error since the conference began an All-Defensive team in 2008.
The Braves also signed right-hander Carter Linton from Tusculum College. His father, Doug, played seven seasons for the Blue Jays, Royals, Mets, Angels and Orioles.
Other signees included outfielder Landon Stephens from Miami (Ohio), outfielder Ethan Workinger from San Diego Community College and local infielder Bryson Horne from Columbus State University.
Their only prep signing was catcher Antonio Barranca, 18, from Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, Maryland. His father German played four seasons with the Royals and Reds.
About the Author
