Atlanta Braves 2008 Prospects

by John Sickels on Nov 16, 2025 3:05 PM EST in News

Atlanta Braves Top 20 Prospects for 2008

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.

Jason Heyward, OF, Grade B+
Jordan Schafer, OF, Grade B+
Brandon Jones, OF, Grade B+
Tommy Hanson, RHP, Grade B+
Joey Devine, RHP, Grade B
Brent Lillibridge, SS, Grade B
Gorkys Hernandez, OF, Grade B
Jair Jurrjens, RHP, Grade B (worried about his health)
Cole Rohrbough, LHP, Grade B
Brandon Hicks, SS, Grade B
Jeff Locke, LHP, Grade B-
Steve Evarts, LHP, Grade C+
Jamie Richmond, RHP, Grade C+
Jose Ortegano, LHP, Grade C+
Kris Medlen, RHP, Grade C+
Julio Teheran, RHP, Grade C+ (all hype and scouting reports at this point)
Tyler Flowers, C-1B, Grade C+
Chad Rodgers, LHP, Grade C+
Jose Ascanio, RHP, Grade C+
Cody Johnson, 1B, Grade C+

There are six more Grade C+ prospects in the book, plus 11 Grade Cs. Again, don't get bent out of shape about the exact placement of players on this list. This is all preliminary.

Don't forget to order the 2008 Baseball Prospect Book, which will have full written reports and stats on all these players and over 1,000 others.

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Comments

MIA

No Chase Fontaine?

by mckeeno on Nov 16, 2025 3:14 PM EST 0 recs

Deep

Gotta really like the depth of this system. I thin it's a bit underrated by many.

by DrBGiantsfan on Nov 16, 2025 3:16 PM EST 0 recs

wow

10 B or better. Only The Rockies last year had more and only a couple teams have had as many in the last 3 years.

Are they the top organization?

Make the world a better place. Punch Tim Purpura in the face.

by Shamus on Nov 16, 2025 3:22 PM EST 0 recs

Response

As much as I like where Schafer is headed, I think I might just like Heyward even more.

No wonder you like to write about the Braves early in the process.

by mrkupe on Nov 16, 2025 3:30 PM EST 0 recs

Why is there this yawning gulf in the perception of Johnson and Heyward? They are both first round picks, who project as OF/1B. Johnson is going to start a level above Heyward next year or maybe the same level, but still close.
Johnson is a year older than Heyward. But he has had almost 1.5 yrs of pro bats, and absolutely destroyed his league.
Heyward, on the other hand, has yet to play a full pro season.

Just looking at it performance wise, looks like the ranking should be the other way around. Yet, even John, who I think does a good mix of scouting and performance, has ranked Heyward #1 and Cody Johnson way down. What am I missing?

by Godot on Nov 16, 2025 3:33 PM EST 0 recs

Addendum

OK, I forgot about Johnson's scary K rate, but the fact remains, Heyward is still fairly untested.

by Godot on Nov 16, 2025 3:35 PM EST up 0 recs

Response

Heyward is a better athlete, should be a good defensive player anywhere he plays, doesn't have issues w/his swing mechanics, should be a good hitter for average . . .

Johnson is not a bad looking prospect by any means. He's VERY young and he's in just the right organization for his specific developmental needs. Still, his path to the majors figures to be a very long one, and even then I wouldn't expect more than a hulking low average slugger. Heyward, on the other hand . . .he's like a total package. I think the only thing that causes some hesitation is, as you mentioned, lack of full season experience, but that's basically the one flaw at the moment, and I think he'll do just fine from a developmental standpoint.

by mrkupe on Nov 16, 2025 3:43 PM EST up 0 recs

Swing Mechanics

At what point do we consider swing mechanics to be a problem? Damon has a god ugly swing, but still manages to do fine. At what point do we say, this guy's swing isn't traditional, but he gets results. That has to have value, right?

by Godot on Nov 16, 2025 3:51 PM EST up 0 recs

Response

Sure. But whatever you think of Damon's swing, it never adversely affected his results at any stage of his development. I suppose you could argue that he also benefited from his outstanding plate discipline, but I'm trying to stick just to the matter of the guy's swing.

Johnson, on the other hand, is already suffering from low contact rates against a very low level of competition. It's not a good sign, as it suggests that his results will be A) inconsistent at best and B) difficult to replicate against better competition.

Right now the statistics and scouting reports actually match in ways that do not speak well of Johnson. If he's putting up a line in Mississippi or Richmond 3-5 years down the line like the one he put up last year in Rookie ball, then maybe we can talk about the value of results as they pertain to major league success.

by mrkupe on Nov 16, 2025 4:02 PM EST up 0 recs

heyward

Heyward has a lot more defensive value and is toolsier/more athletic.

by John Sickels on Nov 16, 2025 3:36 PM EST 0 recs

Heyward and Schafer

How close were/are they to a straight A rating? Will it take a half season of good performance, or do you generally like to revise grades after a full season has passed?

by JFP on Nov 16, 2025 3:45 PM EST 0 recs

Jurrjens

Jurrjens as a B? What makes you like the pitchers (Devine, Hansen) more than him?

Do you really have serious health concerns or even absent those are you just not a big fan?

by flyby4553 on Nov 16, 2025 3:50 PM EST 0 recs

Hello.

Hey John, I'm new to the site and I have a couple of general questions. About how many prospects grade in the A range yearly? Do grades have specific projections attached to them (i.e.: B+ = All-Star, B = solid starter, etc.)? I'm sure I'll think of a couple more, but that's it for now.

I do, however, have some more specific questions about your Braves prospect rankings as well. Why are you low on Cody Johnson, Kris Medlen, Jose Ortegano and Steve Evarts? They each put up stellar numbers, with Medlen headlining the bunch as he torched through three levels all the way up to AA. Johnson's 1.104 OPS was the best in the Braves organization through as many AB. Thoughts?

Braves fan since 1995.

by ejruiz on Nov 16, 2025 3:51 PM EST 0 recs

Edit.

Now that I have a better understanding of the grading, I guess I don't have much of a problem with the grades. I do, however, still wonder why Johnson is so low compared to his fellow prospects. Is it a testament to the strength of the Braves system or an indictment of him as a player?

Braves fan since 1995.

by ejruiz on Nov 16, 2025 4:04 PM EST up 0 recs

grades

I'll post an explanation of what the grades mean.

by John Sickels on Nov 16, 2025 3:53 PM EST 0 recs

Thanks!

Braves fan since 1995.

by ejruiz on Nov 16, 2025 4:02 PM EST up 0 recs

Charlie Morton

I'm interested in Charlie Morton, who came to attention recently. He's a old for a prospect (just had his 24th birthday a couple days ago, just a few days after mine), and hasn't pitched above AA, but apparently he has filthy stuff and seems to be putting it together. Even at his age, if his stuff is for real and he actually figures it out, he could certainly enjoy a couple successful years in The Show at the back of the rotation or bullpen.

Do you see any signs he might be for real?

by alexwithclass on Nov 16, 2025 4:02 PM EST 0 recs

Also, Eric Campbell?

You ranked Eric Campbell as the #1 Braves prospect heading into 2007 -- did he really fall from B+ to C or worse?

by alexwithclass on Nov 16, 2025 4:24 PM EST 0 recs

2007

Some more changes from John's 2007 list:

-- Brandon Jones, up from B to B+

-- Tommy Hanson, up from C+ to B

-- Jamie Richmond, down from B to C+

-- Chase Fontaine, from B- to ??

-- Gorkys Hernandez, up from B- to B

-- Jair Jurrjens, up from B- to B

All in all, sensible to me. I personally would have put Campbell at B-, but reasonable minds certainly can disagree about his future.

by Yakker on Nov 16, 2025 4:38 PM EST up 0 recs

campbell

Campbell is a C+.

by John Sickels on Nov 16, 2025 4:27 PM EST 0 recs

More Campbell

What would Campbell rank if he didn't have all the attitude problems?

by mini tb on Nov 16, 2025 4:45 PM EST up 0 recs

his name came up recently

on another thread, but yeah for curiosity's sake I wonder where he is here. I could understand him being out of BA's top 10 or whatever it was, but dickhead or not he's the best athlete in their system, and on potential alone he should be a C+.

Mulder: Babe Ruth was an alien? Arthur Dales: sure; all the great ones were aliens.

by dew on Nov 16, 2025 4:28 PM EST 0 recs

dang I need to be quicker

but I got the C+ right ...

Mulder: Babe Ruth was an alien? Arthur Dales: sure; all the great ones were aliens.

by dew on Nov 16, 2025 4:29 PM EST up 0 recs

Depth

is very impressive, but the system seems to lack the "impact" talent of some others. Of course, I guess that's what happens when you graduate guys like McCann, Francouer, etc. and trade prospects like Marte, Salty, Andrus, etc.

by Yakker on Nov 16, 2025 4:29 PM EST 0 recs

Jon Gilmore and Kala Kaaihue

Just wondering if anyone, including John if he has the time, had thoughts on these two. Gilmore had a decent showing in the GCL. He didn't hit for power, but his strikeouts were low. Unfortunately he took almost no walks either. Does he start at Rome this year?

Kaaihue had a breakout year in Myrtle Beach but was atrocious when he got moved up to AA, basically making next to no contact (51 K in 118 AB) and hitting for very little power when he did (6 XBH). Was Myrtle Beach a fluke? Was his time at Richmond just an extended adjustment period that he will rebound from this year?

by knightgalt on Nov 16, 2025 4:34 PM EST 0 recs

Andrus + Harrison

Where would you put them on this list?

by jparks77 on Nov 16, 2025 4:49 PM EST 0 recs

What a deep system

The list doesn't even include Eric Cambell, who has as good a bat as any in the system but has character questions. It also doesn't include Kala Ka'aihue, Chase Fontaine, Travis Jones, Manny Acosta, Gregor Blanco who would make a good 4th OF, and some other young pitchers with good arms.

by bravitos5122 on Nov 16, 2025 6:26 PM EST 0 recs

CF situation

so the Bravos JUST traded for Josh Anderson, who put up decent numbers, albeit Sept. ones in his Htown callup.

Do they give him a legit shot at starting CF 2008 as atleast a stopgap/tryout until either Gorkys or Schafer get there?

Curtis Granderson fan

by jrose643 on Nov 16, 2025 7:07 PM EST 0 recs

If no further moves...

he and Lillibridge fight it out in CF, possibly even platoon (Bobby needs his 2 platoons, and god knows we don't want it to be KJ again)

by abravesfan on Nov 16, 2025 7:27 PM EST up 0 recs

Wren said something to the effect that

Anderson will get a chance to compete for the job, but isn't being installed as the guy.

From AJC beat writer David O'Brien's blog:

"Just talked to Frank right after the release came out, and he made it clear to me that this kid will compete for the center-field job, but isn't necessarily "the" replacement."

I figure they'll try to find someone else and, that failing, give Anderson a shot, first as part of a platoon with Francoeur (LF/RF-while-French-is-in-Center handled by Matt Diaz and Brandon Jones) and if he proves able to hit, maybe give him a shot at it full time. But their real plan is probably to use him as a 4th OF.

by mraver on Nov 16, 2025 7:29 PM EST up 0 recs

braves, raver

thanks for the info

Curtis Granderson fan

by jrose643 on Nov 16, 2025 7:36 PM EST up 0 recs

didn't wren also already say no to Frenchy in CF?

if anyone will platoon with anderson it will be Lillibridge, though if they give him the shot I bet he outhits anderson

by abravesfan on Nov 16, 2025 7:47 PM EST up 0 recs

CF

Not really sure why people continue to think Lillibridge is going to play CF for the Braves.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Brent hasn't played CF since college.

by Yakker on Nov 16, 2025 10:47 PM EST up 0 recs

well

because he's pretty good, ready for the majors, blocked at his current position, CF is open, and he played CF in college? i know that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen, but you have to admit, it's a pretty compelling set of interlocking circumstances.

by wily mo on Nov 16, 2025 11:52 PM EST up 0 recs

Yeah

Sure, I know all that.

In fact, I was one of the first guys to voice the "Lillibridge in CF" meme. But, it's now been 9 months, and instead of testing him out at CF either in the minors or in the AFL (so far, I think he's exclusively played SS in the AFL, despite all the reports that he's "open" to moving), the Braves PR machine cranking up to 11 on Schaefer, and picking up a stopgap CF like Anderson yesterday, at some point I think the Lillibridge to CF idea loses some steam.

by Yakker on Nov 17, 2025 4:46 PM EST up 0 recs

Lillilbridge has not played in the AFL

According to Frank Wren and Lillibridge himself the plan has been for him to play CF in the second half of winter league, they held him back as he's been recouping a nagging wrist injury from half way through the year.

If that happens and the Braves don't bring in a guy they will give the job to automatically, I still think he has a good chance. They aren't going to count on him without seeing his defense, so these moves shouldn't reflect negatively on his chances. If his D is acceptable, with his speed and bat, he should impress in ST with a job to be won.

by abravesfan on Nov 17, 2025 5:09 PM EST up 0 recs

Yeah

I know that's the plan in the AFL. We'll see what happens.

But as to your implicit suggestion that, with an impressive ST he could be the starting CF at the Ted in April 2008, I just don't think there's any way that happens. He's not ready offensively (IMO) either. But who knows? I've been wrong before.

by Yakker on Nov 17, 2025 6:19 PM EST up 0 recs

Lilli in CF

According to Lillibridge, the Braves have already approached him to see if he's comfortable with it, and he's supposed to play some outfield in winter ball.

by The Origenist on Nov 17, 2025 1:01 AM EST up 0 recs

Francoeur Platoon

mraver,

Francoeur will never be a platoon player on a Booby Cox managed team, plus they have already stated that in now way would Francoeur play CF this coming season. They will most likely be platoonig Brandon Jones, and Diaz, but I could also see a Blanco/Anderson platoon if they find no other solution. My hope is that Lillibridge plays CF well in Winter ball and Spring Training, and wins the job outright.

by JFP on Nov 17, 2025 5:34 PM EST up 0 recs

Clearly I didn't mean Frenchy would platoon

I mean he'd spend some of the games in RF, some in CF, depending on whether Anderson starts or not.

I've been opposed to the idea of moving Francoeur to center full-time, but I don't think platooning him there would be a bad plan, depending on some other factors.

by mraver on Nov 18, 2025 1:44 AM EST up 0 recs

Grgor Blanco

Isn't he Josh Anderson only a year younger?

Also, what about Phillip Britton? As a catcher, he looks like a reasonable prospect.

by rwperu34 on Nov 17, 2025 12:08 AM EST 0 recs

They do look similar

Andersen has a bit of MLB experience and is a significantly better base runner.

Defensively, they've both got excellent range, but Blanco's got the better arm. He's also got significantly better plate discipline.

To be honest, there doesn't seem to be a lot to make Anderson look better than Blanco, unless the Braves just don't think Blanco will hit at the ML level.

by mraver on Nov 17, 2025 12:33 AM EST up 0 recs

Villa/Parr

I assume Villa and Parr are grade C pitchers. Given the fact that I haven't heard about their stuff, it's probably pretty mediocre. Still, two guys that pitched most of their age 21 year in AA and had OKish results probably deserve some credit.

by rwperu34 on Nov 17, 2025 12:11 AM EST 0 recs

Devine

Joey has been one of my personal favorites since his days at NC State and his stuff definitely warrants the B grade. I'm just not sure in my mind at this point if he's ever going to put it all together and reach his potential.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by HuskerBob on Nov 17, 2025 1:26 AM EST 0 recs

Which of course

Sounds absolutely retarded with the numbers he put up last year in AA/AAA but his major league stints (albeit extremely short) have been nothing short of a disaster. He doesn't look like the same pitcher to me when he's wearing an Atlanta uniform.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by HuskerBob on Nov 17, 2025 1:30 AM EST up 0 recs

He was okay last year

Well, when I say "okay", he walked 1 per inning and allowed almost as many hits. But the ERA was pretty. :-)

I dunno with Devine. He's clearly got the stuff, but I think the majors are a big mental thing now. Some confidence from his manager would help; last year it seemed like Cox had absolutely no faith in Devine and that may have spilled over to when he was actually put in a major league game. Hopefully a full stink in spring training and a defined role out of the bullpen (rather than "guy who comes and goes from Richmond depending on whether we need another reliever on the roster for two days"), say 7th inning guy or something, will help him get into a routine.

Have to wait and see, I suppose.

by mraver on Nov 17, 2025 11:05 AM EST up 0 recs

I don't get it

How can Kala Kaaihue be in your Top 100 overall prospects, but not in the Braves Top 20 prospects?

by FanBall on Nov 17, 2025 11:59 AM EST 0 recs

kaaihue

He won't be in the next 100 list.

by John Sickels on Nov 17, 2025 12:17 PM EST up 0 recs

Love this list

John you must like Brandon Jones a lot more than people think. What do you project him out to be in the future. I see him as a .285 20-25 80-90 guy in the majors. I agree on Cody Johnson, I would trade him as soon as possible when he gets on a hot streak because I am clearly not sold on him. Schafer, your grade on him is pretty good, but BA soured on him in the AFL and he was only the 7th or 8th ranked prospect in the league. I have no clue how Maybin was 1st with a .219 average or Dexter Fowler with his meager power numbers was in the top 5.

by Bravesin07 on Nov 17, 2025 1:56 PM EST 0 recs

Erik Cordier

Has anybody heard about him coming back from injury? And if so, what do people think he'll do this year?

by mckeeno on Nov 17, 2025 7:28 PM EST 0 recs

Cordier pitched in the instructional league

and he's 'finished' his recovery, so he should be ready to go next spring and I'm guessing he'll start up in Myrtle Beach. Wren said he looked good in instructs, but I think expecting him to be very successful right away would be overly optimisitic, he still doesn't have much minor league experience. Long-term I'm still very hopeful, maybe he can move quick and be knocking on atlanta's door sometime in 09.

by abravesfan on Nov 17, 2025 7:37 PM EST up 0 recs

Would be nice

Sure would be nice to get something out of the TPJ deal. FWIW, he's turned out to be quite good defensively for the Royals, even though his bat was (predictably) awful. :-)

by mraver on Nov 18, 2025 1:45 AM EST up 0 recs

We will never forget...

The two triples on opening day against Boston! His defense was outstanding, though!

Cordier definitely has good stuff, will be interesting to see how he does. I think he has to be added to the 40-man after next season to keep him unexposed...maybe we could take him right back. :)

by doublestix on Nov 18, 2025 2:44 AM EST up 0 recs