Previewing 6 Must-Watch Braves Prospects in Upcoming Fall League Action
The Atlanta Braves' minor league system is significantly weaker than it has been in years past. This is due to many prospects who have graduated to the majors and because the club has traded several prospects in the past year for big league players.
While some of the Braves prospects who will play in next month’s Arizona Fall League (AFL) are not marquee names, many of them are worth watching as well as keeping tabs on their progress.
None of them currently appear on the Braves' top-10 prospect list, but success in the AFL could warrant their inclusion and even propel them toward serious consideration for a job in Atlanta next spring.
Begin the slideshow to see who the six must-watch Braves prospects are for next month’s Arizona Fall League.
No. 6: Outfielder Kyle Wren
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If the last name of outfielder Kyle Wren sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the son of recently dismissed Atlanta general manager Frank Wren. But Kyle is not in the Braves organization because of nepotism, nor is he playing in the AFL because of favoritism.
Wren was a great late-round find in the eighth round of the 2013 draft—several rounds below where he was expected to be drafted. As an advanced college player, he’s moved quickly through the system, playing the second half of this season for Double-A Mississippi.
While Wren is on the taxi squad for his AFL team and will only play a few times a week, Baseball America listed him as “an intriguing leadoff prospect.” Wren’s speed allows him to play small ball to get on base and then take the extra base once he’s on.
In one-and-a-half seasons of professional ball, he’s already stolen 81 bases and has a .362 on-base percentage.
No. 5: RHP Ryne Harper
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Right-handed reliever Ryne Harper was a 37th-round pick in the 2011 draft out of Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. He’s worked his way up through the Braves system, spending the last two years at Double-A Mississippi.
His mid-90s fastball and plus slider have led to a 10.9 K/9 rate and a 2.18 ERA in four minor league seasons.
A good showing in Arizona could set him up to be a part of next year’s Atlanta bullpen conversation in spring training.
No. 4: Infielder Daniel Castro
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An international signee as a 16-year-old in 2009, Daniel Castro spent 2012 and 2013 playing in his home country of Mexico in the Mexican League. There, as a 19- and 20-year-old, he played against guys much older and much more advanced.
He’s carried his success in Mexico over to the U.S. and this year posted a solid slash line of .277/.300/.410 at Double-A.
While he currently profiles as a utility infielder, he’s put together a similar minor league career to that of Martin Prado, who blossomed once he reached the majors. Castro is the youngest player the Braves are sending to the AFL this year, and with a good showing there, he could get an extended look for the open second base job in Atlanta next spring.
No. 3: RHP Nate Hyatt
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Reliever Nate Hyatt was drafted in the 13th round of the 2012 draft out of Appalachian State. From his early work in the low minors, it looked like he would rocket through the Atlanta system, but the Braves had him repeat High-A Lynchburg the past two years.
While his K/9 rate didn’t make any great strides, he lowered his BB/9 rate from 5.8 to 3.9. He still has some work to do in the free-pass department, but the Braves like his mid-to-high-90s fastball, and they named him their Pitcher of the Year for their High-A team.
No. 2: Outfielder Edward Salcedo
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The Braves gave Edward Salcedo the biggest signing bonus in club history for an international free agent in 2010 at well over $1 million. While he initially came with the promise of a Hanley Ramirez-like shortstop, Salcedo was moved to third base two years ago and then to right field this year.
In addition to the disappointment of his positional changes, his OPS has hovered at or below .700 each of the last four years—somewhat of a letdown for a prospect whose bat was supposed to be his weapon.
Though the numbers have been disappointing, at every level, he has played against competition that has been older and more advanced; that will once again be the case in Arizona. As a 23-year-old, he will get the chance to repeat Triple-A next year, but a strong showing in the AFL could have some thinking about a possible role in Atlanta for him next spring.
No. 1: RHP Aaron Northcraft
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Starting pitcher Aaron Northcraft spent some time this season on the weekly Bleacher Report Atlanta Braves Prospect Stock Watch.
While he is an older prospect at 24, he could still present an interesting starting pitching option down the road for Atlanta. As a sinkerball pitcher, he draws comparisons to Tim Hudson.
After a midyear promotion to Triple-A, he struggled with his control and was far too hittable. He also struggled last year when he started seven games in the AFL, where he posted an 8.00 ERA and 2.11 WHIP in seven starts.
He’ll look to improve upon those numbers and carry that success with him into spring training next year.
All stats used are sourced from FanGraphs.com.
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