Good morning. This is LEADOFF, today’s first look at Atlanta sports.
Even as Dansby Swanson heads to Triple-A -- a reminder that the transition from prized prospect to productive big leaguer is often rocky -- the next wave of Braves prospects continues to draw acclaim.
For example:
1. One projection system, published Wednesday on FanGraphs, gives a lofty endorsement of outfielder Ronald Acuna and second baseman Ozzie Albies, both currently playing for the Gwinnett Braves.
The "Stats-Only KATOH" system provides long-term forecasts for prospects, projecting their WAR (win-above-replacement) for their first six years in the majors based on their minor-league performances. And according to the updated rankings by Chris Mitchell, Acuna and Albies are Nos. 1 and 2 on the list, in that order.
That's Nos. 1 and 2 not just among Braves prospects, mind you, but among all prospects with at least 200 minor-league plate appearances or batters faced in 2016 and/or 2017.
Interestingly, both Acuna and Albies were in the Braves’ organization before the team’s teardown/rebuild began in October 2014.
2. And on the midseason update of MLBPipeline's Top 100 Prospects, published Tuesday, the Braves and White Sox are neck-and-neck at the top of the rankings in "prospect points."
Acuna is the Braves’ highest-rated prospect on this list at No. 8 overall, followed by Albies at No. 19. Four others from the Braves’ system are in the top 50: pitchers Kolby Allard, Kyle Wright and Mike Soroka at Nos. 25, 35 and 38, respectively, and shortstop Kevin Maitan at No. 44.
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READ ON ...
Swanson was informed after the Braves' series finale at Arizona on Wednesday that he would be optioned to Gwinnett. See David O'Brien's report here.
The Falcons open training camp today. See Mark Bradley's column on coach Dan Quinn, the optimist's optimist.
For a breakdown of Georgia Tech's quarterback position, see Ken Sugiura's report.
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