Atlanta Braves Top 20 Prospects for 2006

by John Sickels on Feb 7, 2006 1:52 PM EST in News

Atlanta Braves Top 20 Prospects

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, Grade A-
Chuck James, LHP, B+
Elvis Andrus, SS, B
Joey Devine, RHP, B
Yunel Escobar, SS, B
Max Ramirez, C, B
Eric Campbell, 3B, B
Brandon Jones, OF, B
Beau Jones, LHP, B
Anthony Lerew, RHP, B-
Jairo Cuevas, RHP, B-
Macay McBride, LHP, C+
Jake Stevens, LHP, C+
Scott Thorman, 1B, C+
Martin Prado, 2B, C+
James Parr, RHP, C+
Brayan Pena, C, C+
Will Startup, LHP, C+
Matt Harrison, LHP, C+
Jeff Lyman, RHP, C+

This system has thinned out a bit due to promotions and trades, but they've shown they can recharge quickly. Salty is one of the best prospects around, of course. I like James more than some people do, but I just can't ignore his overall track record. The main thing I worry about with him is his strong fly ball tendency.

I want to see some full-season numbers from Andrus but I like him and expect he will move up the list to B+ status as '06 progresses. Watch Max Ramirez, a sleeper catching prospect with a strong bat.

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How does....

Saltalamacchia compare to the oft-discussed Mathis?

by kenshin1 on Feb 7, 2006 1:55 PM EST 0 recs

He doesn't...

Saltalamacchia has power from both sides of the plate and he is 6-3 200. Lot of dingers in a pitchers park

He is behind McCann and Mathis (when they were in double A) at this point.

by themurph on Feb 7, 2006 3:13 PM EST up 0 recs

He's behind defensively, I mean

edit that last sentence

by themurph on Feb 7, 2006 3:13 PM EST up 0 recs

Yeah, but

with McCann already up at the major league level the Braves will do whatever they can to get Salty's bat in the lineup eventually. A lot of minor league catching prospects who can hit but can't play defense simply move to other positions. Maybe first or left?

by Tcs5384 on Feb 7, 2006 3:44 PM EST up 0 recs

LaRoche is still inexpensive...

and you instantly cheapen Salty's value if you move him to another position, even if it is just breifly.

He would be cheapened unless they leave him at catcher. I would leave him alone until I have to make a decision. He could stay in the minors for two more full years and still be valuable.

Would you rather him be valuable trade piece or move his bat into the lineup in late 06 or 07?

by themurph on Feb 7, 2006 3:57 PM EST up 0 recs

Discounting

Another theory....

Other organizations will discout his "value" as a C if they don't think he can stay there. Leaving him at C if he can't handle it at the MLB level could actually be hurting his value. An organization trading for him may further discount him if they don't know if he can play other position.

by FredUD on Feb 7, 2006 4:28 PM EST up 0 recs

Salty

Actually he is 6'4 235lbs.
Most reports have him offensively ahead of where Francouer and McCann were when they played in Myrtle Beach. He is getting rave reviews on his defense (which was never bad) and ability to call games and work with pitchers has the Braves FO not wanting him doing anything but catch.

by 525DP on Feb 7, 2006 9:18 PM EST up 0 recs

salty

Salty has a better bat than Mathis but his glove is not as good.

by John Sickels on Feb 7, 2006 1:56 PM EST 0 recs

McCann

When will Salty come up with McCann already there?

by ChrisRef19 on Feb 7, 2006 2:00 PM EST 0 recs

Interesting List

Salty is the best catching prospect in the Minors IMHO.

Interesting to see Beau Jones ahead of the Likes of Matt Harrison (who has already had a full year at Rome going 12-7 with a 3.23 and a 118/30 K/BB) and James Parr (13-4 3.41 and a 98/24 K/BB at Rome)

Also no mention of Clint Sammons, who I like a lot more then Brayan Pena (Singles hitter, No Defense)

No mention of Anthony Lerew (Was this because of service time, eventhough you had Devine/McBride listed?)

Thorman and Brandon Jones would be higher on my list. (Brandon Jones could really breakout).

The other player to watchout for and I would like to get your thoughts on him John. If he can stay healthy, watch out for Jon Mark Owings. My biggest sleeper pick this year.

Rome is going to be a very interesting team this year.

Marte Francouer McCann Davies Any Questions?

by Hud Giles on Feb 7, 2006 2:08 PM EST 0 recs

lerew

Lerew is on there.

by John Sickels on Feb 7, 2006 3:05 PM EST up 0 recs

Beau Jones

Jones has a lot better pure stuff than Parr or Harrison. Parr and Harrison both had fabulous years, no doubt but they both did it in an extreme pitchers' park. Parr had a 0.56 G/F. That's nearly as extreme as Chuck James'. Rome's HR park factor is something like -30% if I remember correctly. Parr had a relatively high HR/9 even with out taking park and league into account. Parr also had a low K/9 for a prospect in his league, IMO.

Harrison is much of the same. Same HR rate and a lower K rate. His G/F was 0.86, again another flyball pitcher in an extreme pitcher's park. Both guys have 2 things working for them Age to League and K:BB.

Jones on the other hand is a power lefty. He's been clocked in the mid 90s and has a good breaking pitch. His short stint showed a great K rate and decent control no HRs either, granted it was a complex league.

by Ienpw on Feb 7, 2006 6:22 PM EST up 0 recs

James

James claims that the reason his flyball to grouball ratio is so high, is because he induce a high number of infield popups.

by JFP on Feb 7, 2006 2:18 PM EST 0 recs

Interesting

I notice the semi-holy war that's developed between the small but vocal group of A's fans and the rest of you doesn't carry over to other teams. Otherwise, why aren't all of you talking about what a jackass Schuerholz is for having a thin-looking farm system?

Oh, that's right - because prospects are supposed to help the big league club, whether through performance or trade. This is what a minor league system looks like when its top guys graduate - strikingly similar to what the A's have.

by historypeats on Feb 7, 2006 3:09 PM EST 0 recs

Uh...

The Braves still have a damn good system, with a lot of depth at the B and C+ level.

by cinqua on Feb 7, 2006 3:13 PM EST up 0 recs

Not that I'm involved in that thread

but it has a lot to do with the fact that certain A's fans are constantly touting the A's as having a top notch farm system, while nobody is touting the Braves as such. Still, a lot of people seem to have overblown their homerism, and while I take their comments with a grain of salt (just as I would expect other people to take my comments about the Rays farm with a grain of salt), I still find that they have some pretty insightful things to say from time to time.

The one we'll see little wars break out when John does his tops for the A's and Indians.

by Brickhaus on Feb 7, 2006 3:15 PM EST up 0 recs

One more thing

IMO, it happens everywhere. On Scout, before heading over here, it was a full time pissing match between Dodgers fans and Mets fans. At least this one is close.

by Brickhaus on Feb 7, 2006 3:22 PM EST up 0 recs

Also

Joh Scheurholz's track record is SLIGHTLY stronger than Billy Beane's. Scheurholz is arguably the best GM in the last 30 years.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Feb 7, 2006 4:40 PM EST up 0 recs

bitter oakland fans

are funny

by PooNani on Feb 7, 2006 6:36 PM EST up 0 recs

John, or anyone else

Do you think Salty has the athletic ability to move to first, or the outfield? I have never seen him in action, so I can't form my own opinion on the subject.

by JFP on Feb 7, 2006 3:14 PM EST 0 recs

First is certainly possible.

I don't think he'd be very capable in LF; however, with McCann already up, the bad LaRoche all that is stopping him, first is most likely Salty's final destination.

by aCone419 on Feb 7, 2006 3:34 PM EST up 0 recs

I would agree...

but a catcher with his skills...I've read his defense is coming around...is very valuable on the trade market.

A catcher with a .900 OPS is hard to find.

I'd deal him and a few others for a quality closer if he has a great year again in Mississippi.

by themurph on Feb 7, 2006 3:49 PM EST up 0 recs

Bah.

Just grow a closer. Blowing the farm on one is silly.

by aCone419 on Feb 7, 2006 4:21 PM EST up 0 recs

Sorry John

Overlooked Lerew.

Still don't understand how he will be below Jones.

Are you that high on Beau?

Marte Francouer McCann Davies Any Questions?

by Hud Giles on Feb 7, 2006 3:25 PM EST 0 recs

poll

john, your poll about chuck james has the year 2060, not 2006. i don't think he'll put up a very good ERA if he pitches in 2060... :)

by jpahk on Feb 7, 2006 4:03 PM EST 0 recs

With the advances in medical science........

Chuck James will be pitching to Ted Williams Mark III in the 2060 World Series

by Terry Ryan Jr on Feb 8, 2006 1:15 PM EST up 0 recs

andrus

andrus is going to be one nasty player. He could be promoted to AA at age 17. He already has good plate dicipline and developing power which should be above average to plus by the time he reaches the majors. And a very good glove which will keep him at ss. I wonder, how does he compare to the other top ss prospects. Is it too tough to tell due to his age, are the comparisons even or could he be better in the long run?

"What seems to be the Officer, Problem?"

by AZPhillyHybrid on Feb 7, 2006 4:24 PM EST 0 recs

Maximilliano

Nice to see someone else high on him.

by nms on Feb 7, 2006 4:34 PM EST 0 recs

A 21-YO catcher with no full-season time

as #6, with a B grade? I don't see it. As a point of comparison, Ramirez is older than Saltalamacchia. Yes, he hit extremely well at Danville, but it's not full-season ball.

Mike Emeigh http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/minor_key/

by MikeE on Feb 8, 2006 10:19 AM EST up 0 recs

Harrison

Personally, I'd probably flipflop Harrison and Beau Jones. At least right now.

Brandon Jones is a major sleeper in 2006. A Braves scout I talked to late last year was gushing over him.

I'm suprised Josh Burrus isn't on the list. He showed great strides as a hitter last year in Myrtle Beach before struggling a bit in Pearl.

by smt on Feb 7, 2006 4:46 PM EST 0 recs

andrus

here's a half-serious question: if felix is already the King, what are we going to call elvis when he hits the big leagues?

by jpahk on Feb 7, 2006 5:57 PM EST 0 recs

Lerew

Seems low to me for a guy who's already (at 22) pitched okay in AAA and didn't humiliate himself in the majors.

I like Macay McBride a lot. Maybe I'm just overestimating him by what he did in the majors, but he hasn't been a reliever that long and that major league callup is a big cut of his relief career.

by Mac Thomason on Feb 7, 2006 6:48 PM EST 0 recs

Other Braves?

The Braves have a great system; it is necessary to look at these farm systems over time to appreciate the ways in which they develop players.

That said, one sleeper not on the list is Kelvin Villa. Sure, his Myrtle Beach numbers were ugly, but look at his age(19)and what he did at Rome. Apparently, Bruce Dal Canton raves about him.

Any thoughts about Matt Esquivel? or Brady Endl? Does anybody out there know the latest on Gonzalo Lopez?

by hisslk on Feb 7, 2006 7:30 PM EST 0 recs

I can think of one

Jonathan Schuerholtz....jk

As for what 20-30 would be:

Jon-Mark Owings. Yes, Micahs brother. OF with BIG power. Hit .293/.354/.707 in 120 ABs in Danville at age 20 this year. Needs to lower te Ks and up the walks.

Van Pope, 3b. Good tools. Had a decent year in rome at 21.

Clint Sammons. Good defensive catcher, makes solid contact and can draw a walk. Limited power. As an aside, he was a good HS QB.

Jose Ascaino was in BAs Braves top 10 last year. Bigtime arm. Skinny as hell (155 lbs) but not too tall (6 ft). Posted a 65/15 K/BB in 65 innings in Rome as a 19yo reliver in 04 but got hurt in 05 and made only a few bad starts at Myrtle.

JC Holt was a superfast OF from LSU they took in the 3rd round in 04 and moved to 2b (where he played a frosh). Had a good debut against younger comp in the Appy LEague in 04 but sucked forever in LowA Rome in 05 before getting it together at the end of the year.

Charlie Morton, 2 plus pitches, weak control. Raw. 21 yo. Came from CT so he was expected to develop slowly and certainly is.

Jonny Venters. Lefty. Weak K/BB in LowA but a good arm and a good athlete. Was also considered an OF prospect in JUCO. Had a good debut in 04.

Chris Vines, saw him in HS. Skinny as hell. Broke out in Danville (the whole team did that year, really) then regressed in Rome (this is a theme) but was still solid. 100/30 K/BB in 130 IP. Really projectable and athletic. Will be 21 next year.

Luis Atliano. 03 first rounder from a HS in PR. Has been overtaken by the lower round pitchers fro mthat year (Parr, Vines, Harrison, Reyes). Needs to raise K rate. Was mediocre in Rome in 05.

Cole Armstrong is a C who had a good year in Appy league Danville in 04 but didnt do anything in Rome in 05.

James Jurries might be in there. Limited upside but is a 26 yo AAAA 1b who has played 3bi nthe past (though he doesnt get good marks at 1b. God, he was good at Tulane (and he played 2b then too)

Carlos Duran and Gregor Blanco are fast and toolsy OFs and were 21 at AA but each have their problems (contact for Blanco, disipline for Durhan and neither has much power) and they probably wont be more than reserves.

Luis Hernandez has had an odd career (put up a 550 OPS in low at 18, then improved that almost 200 points while moving up to high and the best ptching park in the game, then fell back to earth in AA) but is still 21 and can REALLY play D.

JoJo Reyes 2nd rounder in 03. Good control. Hada solid 04 in rome yet moved down to Danville in 05. i dont know what the story is.

OF Steve Doetsch could be something if he stops striking out.

Rudy Quinonez dominated Danville but was big college guy

SS Diory Hernandez had a 690 OPS in Mrytle (HUGE pitchers park) at 21 but he considered to have good tools but attitude problems. Long-term project not likely to pan out, but some upside.

Kevin Gregg is a 25 yo AAA reliever with solid stuff, a good K-rate and weak control.

Some other assorted relivers.

From this years draft.

Mike Broadway. Low 90s fb that some think will hit 97 when he fill out. Raw, played weak HS competition.

Brandon Monk. 2bman with a decent bat. Another GA HS guy

Jordan Schafer. Good athlete with a weak debut. Also a HSer.

by nms on Feb 7, 2006 9:01 PM EST up 0 recs

Armstrong

Wasn't he a Rule 5 casuality?

by aCone419 on Feb 7, 2006 9:18 PM EST up 0 recs

2 things

Cole Armstrong got picked up by the White Sox in the Rule five and JoJo had TJ and is progressing nicely.

by 525DP on Feb 7, 2006 9:23 PM EST up 0 recs

ah

Thanks y'all
Nice to know

by nms on Feb 7, 2006 9:30 PM EST up 0 recs

Good point

Esquivel and Burrus are noticeable leave-offs. I think Harrisons rank is probably accurate but i'd like to see him higher for just because hes a personal favorite

by nms on Feb 7, 2006 8:20 PM EST 0 recs

Armstrong

Armstrong was indeed drafted.

However, what NMS has shown is that the Braves actually have a deep system. Yet, there are still more promising players: Jamie Romak, Zach Scrieber, Pedro Rayo, Tyler Wilson, Jung Ji Cho, Nick Tissone, David Williams and Kala Kaaihue. This little supplemental list hardly exhausts the players in the Braves system who still have serious `upsides.

Let me add that any list can be questioned, but I find it significant that the Braves added 6 of those names last year alone.

In addition, the Braves drafted an unusual number of draft and follow players. I suspect that this bodes well for the futur. It would not surprise me if a year from now the list has 10 new names.

One final comment: I would love to see John Sickels to some work on Draft and Follow.

by hisslk on Feb 7, 2006 9:43 PM EST 0 recs

ooh 3 more because I'm a nerd

Ryan Basner and Matt Coenen...live armed but too old and havent done too well yet.

Adam Parliament, supposed to have BUG TIME power but young and cant even make contact with GCL pitching yet. Came from Canada so he is understandably raw but is still more raw than he should be.

by nms on Feb 7, 2006 10:04 PM EST up 0 recs

haha

just noticed the poll. I think if Chuck James pitches 100 innings in 2060, it will be a frikkin miracle.

www.faketeams.com SportsBlogs' own all-sport fantasy blog. Check it out.

by ohad on Feb 8, 2006 10:09 AM EST 0 recs

Thorman

I think Scott Thorman is quite underrated player by many. Maybe it's because he's been in the shadows somewhat coming up mid-season over the last couple of years, however he's shown very steady improvement while splitting the systems. He has been adjusting very quickly and now that he has no where left to go I'm looking for a solid year of improvement. His skills should translate to the Major League level near to immediately. I see him as a solid power-hitting first baseman who could very well breakout over his steady improvement level to date.

"A hotdog at the ballpark is better than steak at the Ritz." ~Humphrey Bogart

by Xalz on Feb 10, 2006 12:21 AM EST 0 recs