The next wave of Braves prospects is approaching – and if it feels like the last wave just got here, it’s because they did.
Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, Mike Soroka and even Kolby Allard have appeared in the majors. Three other prospects are just on the cusp, and that excludes Touki Toussaint, who’s likely to join the major-league bullpen in the near future.
Starters Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson, along with third baseman Austin Riley, are on the doorsteps in Triple-A Gwinnett. Wright made his debut Friday night, and Wilson started Saturday’s game.
Wright coasted through the first five innings against Norfolk, facing one over the minimum because of a hit batter. But he walked three in the sixth, four total in the frame, and exited with an out remaining but still without a hit against him.
“Wright did really well,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said, referencing reports on Wright’s night. “Just sounds like he ran out of gas. There’s another kid rushing through things pretty quick, so I’m sure he had some emotions, little anxieties, expended a little more energy than he normally would in his first Triple-A start. He’s come a long way in a hurry.”
The Braves drafted Wright fifth overall last summer. He was favored to go No. 1 overall as late as a week before the draft, and the consensus was the team “stole” him, as they say in draft lingo, at No. 5.
Wright’s going at a torrent pace. The 22-year-old likely will crack the majors next season, joining an ever-growing group of young hurlers. Soroka turned 21 on Saturday, and Allard was 20 when he debuted.
Like several before him, Wright has flown through the system. But it was somewhat expected from the more-seasoned former Vanderbilt ace.
“Everyone felt really good about that pick,” Snitker said. “They knew he was an advanced guy, coming from where he did and the competition he pitched against. Everybody felt he’d be a guy, once we got him into the pro routine, would have a chance to come really quick.”
Wilson was promoted to Triple-A with Wright. The 20-year-old has earned 3.04 ERA and held opponents to .236 average in 103-2/3 innings in Florida and Mississippi.
Baseball America ranked Wilson the team’s No. 12 prospect. Their embarrassment of riches with starting pitching prospects affords the team more patience with him in Triple-A.
Wilson’s debut could’ve gone better: He went 5-2/3 innings, giving up six runs and allowing three homers. He struck out eight.
As for Riley, many thought he would be in the majors by now, but he missed significant time with a knee injury. He had a pair of hits Friday and has gotten his bat going since returning, but the team wants to see his strikeout rate drop.
“Had a couple hits, knocked some runs in,” Snitker said. “So that was good to see there, too.”
Riley is a September call-up candidate. He’s hit .300 with a .376 on-base percentage in 78 games across three minor-league levels, including .283 with four homers and 28 RBIs in 45 Triple-A games.
