Atlanta Braves: 1 Bold 2012 Prediction for Each of the Team's Top 10 Prospects

The Atlanta Braves have never had a shortage of prospects in their system.

Lately, the top prospects in the system have made their debuts in the majors—Jason Heyward and Craig Kimbrel in 2010, and Freddie Freeman in 2011.

This year is no different as the Braves have top pitching prospects, which they refused to part with in any possible trade.

While the offensive side may not be as strong, they still have the prospects to build a great roster for years to come.

Here's a look at the Braves' top 10 prospects and a bold prediction for each of them.

10. Zeke Spruill

Compared to Derek Lowe by many in the Braves' organization (let's hope it's not true), Spruill is not in a good position being with the Braves.

With three other starting prospects ahead of him and one who will overtake him soon (Sean Gilmartin), Spruill's best bet for making it to the big leagues is for him to get traded to another team.

Who knows? Maybe the Braves will use him as trade bait to acquire a player to push them over the edge.

With a good sinking fastball and a solid curveball, Spruill has the chance to turn some heads this year.

Prediction: Spruill continues to improve, but stays in Double-A all year, garnering 13 wins and 100+ strikeouts.

9. Andrelton Simmons

Andrelton Simmons is widely considered to be the guy who will man the shortstop position in the big leagues for a decade once he makes the big league.

Last year, in his first full season of pro ball, Simmons batted .311 with one home run and 52 RBI, scoring 69 runs and stealing 26 bases in the process for Class-A Advanced Lynchburg.

This year, he should start at Double-A Mississippi, getting an opportunity to prove himself at the next level. Should he do well there, he'll earn a promotion to Triple-A Gwinnett with an opportunity to compete for the starting shortstop position at the beginning of the 2013 season.

Prediction: Simmons struggles in the early going of the 2012 season, but recovers by June. However, his early season struggles won't give him the opportunity to show what he can do at the Triple-A level, as it will be the 2013 season before he sees his opportunity there.

8. Tyler Pastornicky

Tyler Pastornicky is penciled in as the starter at shortstop for Atlanta this year.

After letting Alex Gonzalez walk via free agency—who the Braves ironically got in the same deal for Pastornicky a few years ago—the young right-handed shortstop will be given the opportunity to shine this year.

Pastornicky will be given the opportunity to learn this year, as he'll likely hit in the No. 8 hole, helping the rookie not feel the pressure of performing.

Prediction: Pastornicky will hit .285 with five home runs, 60 RBI and steal 20 bases, which is a good rookie season for him.

7. Matt Lipka

Matt Lipka is the other good shortstop in the Braves' system.

As an 18-year old in his first full pro season, Lipka hit .247 with one home run, 37 RBI and 28 stolen bases. Although he was in his first pro season, Lipka's numbers have to be better at the plate. If not, he won't make it to the big leagues by the time he's predicted to.

Currently, he's projected to arrive in 2014, but that's only if his numbers improve as he progresses through the system.

This year, he won't go any higher than Class-A Advanced Lynchburg, and could likely start the season back in Rome.

Prediction: Lipka struggles all year, spending some time in Lynchburg before being demoted back to Rome.

6. Edward Salcedo

Edward Salcedo is still 20 years old and has a lot to learn.

However, there's no denying that he has the tools to make it to the big leagues.

The youngster has made some strides at the plate, hitting .248 with 12 home runs, 68 RBI and 23 stolen bases last year for Class A Rome.

With a move to third base, Salcedo saw a drop in his fielding percentage. However, Braves' fans shouldn't worry as with more seasoning at the hot corner, Salcedo should learn the position and be good defensively.

For the 2012 season, Salcedo should start in Class-A Advanced Lynchburg, and will stay there the entire season since he's still young.

Prediction: Salcedo ups his average to about .260 and continues to have a little bit of power. His on-base percentage will jump to over .333, giving legitimacy to his candidacy of being a leadoff or No. 2 hitter.

5. Carlos Perez

Another one of the young arms in the Braves' system, Carlos Perez is still a few years away from getting a shot at the big leagues.

Last year, as a teenager, Perez went 4-10 with 4.82 ERA and 109 Ks.

This year, as a 20-year old, Perez will get more seasoning in Low-A Rome, with the hopes that he will develop enough by the end of the season to warrant a promotion to High-A Lynchburg.

Prediction: Perez improves and will win more games than he loses, garnering 100+ strikeouts and be between 3.80 and 4.30 in ERA. He will earn the promotion to High-A Lynchburg by the end of the season.

4. Christian Bethancourt

If there's one thing the Braves can be happy with, it's the fact that they have an insurance plan should Brian McCann go down with injury or walk in free agency in 2013.

Christian Bethancourt has the ability to be the catcher of the future for the Braves, as long as he continues to improve.

Last year, he split his time between Low-A Rome and High-A Lynchburg, hitting .289 with five home runs and 53 RBI.

This year, he'll start back in Lynchburg with the possibility of getting promoted to Double-A Mississippi.

Prediction: Bethancourt will throw out 40 percent of would-be base stealers at Lynchburg and continue to improve at the plate, earning himself a promotion to Mississippi.

3. Randall Delgado

Randall Delgado is one of the young arms the Braves have refused to part with in any trade.

Last year, Delgado was able to take advantage of injuries to the Braves' starters, making seven starts in Atlanta, where he went 1-1 with a 2.83 ERA and 18 strikeouts.

In between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett last year, Delgado went 7-7 with a 3.88 ERA and 135 strikeouts.

Prediction: Delgado will begin the year in Gwinnett and could get some early-season starts, depending on how Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens look in Spring Training. Right now, Delgado's path to the big leagues is blocked, but he should do well enough in Gwinnett to put himself in position to start in Atlanta in 2013.

2. Arodys Vizcaino

Another one of the Braves' young guns, Arodys Vizcaino went across four levels last year, starting out in High-A Lynchburgh, before finally ending up in Atlanta to close the season.

In the minors last year, Vizcaino went 5-5 with a 3.06 ERA and 100 Ks in 17 starts, although he had none in Triple-A Gwinnett. He did, however, have a 1.29 ERA in seven appearances as a reliever with Gwinnett.

Once promoted in August, Vizcaino was used exclusively out of the bullpen, going 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 17 appearances.

This year, Vizcaino will start in the bullpen for Atlanta and be used as a specialist with Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty working the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

Prediction: Vizcaino will improve even more this year and get opportunities to close games when the result isn't in question. His ERA will hover around 3.40 and will garner 50 strikeouts as manager Freddi Gonzalez will gain confidence in him, allowing him to save the other arms in the bullpen when they're not needed.

1. Julio Teheran

Julio Teheran is the No. 4 overall prospect in baseball. and the only thing holding him back from being in the starting rotation to begin the year is the fact that there's not a place for him.

However, that won't last for long as one of the current Braves' starters will either go down with injury (possibly Tommy Hanson) or be traded (Jair Jurrjens, anyone?).

And, just like Hanson did a few years ago, once Teheran is in the starting rotation, it's going to be hard to remove him from it.

Last year, Teheran went 15-3 at Triple-A Gwinnett with a 2.55 ERA and 122 strikeouts.

In his three starts in the majors last year, he went 1-1 with a 5.03 ERA and 10 strikeouts, numbers that showed his inexperience. However, given time to get comfortable, Teheran will be a force to be reckoned with during his career.

Prediction: Teheran will bide his time in Gwinnett until he's needed and will then insert himself into the starting rotation, where he will stay.