Braves' Prospect Tri-Pod: Medlen, Hicks, and Johnson

Today, instead of the two I promised, I will be profiling three Braves prospects.

These three are not of the same caliber as the previous four (Hanson, Heyward, Freeman, and Schafer), but they are in the category of "above average."

These three are: Kris Medlen, a strong right-handed pitcher; Brandon Hicks, a powerful shortstop; and Cody Johnson, the kid who led the entire Braves' organization in home runs (26) at age 19 last year.

As always, the line for hitters will be AVG/HR/RBI/SB, and the line for hurlers will be IP/K/BB/ERA.

Kris Medlen

Throughout the beginning of his Minor League career, this 24-year-old right-hander was a reliever.

Then last year, Braves' management put him in a starter role.

And he took off.

In 2008, his line was 120.1/120/27/3.52 at AA Mississippi.

Now, these aren't Tommy Hanson numbers (but who has them?!), and he is a little old for "prospect" status (although 24 isn't ancient), but a K per inning should draw some attention.

His ceiling isn't as high as some prospects, but in the worst case scenario, I can see Kris becoming an above-average relief pitcher or a No. 4 starter.

I could anticipate numbers along the lines of 189/162/45/3.89.

Not spectacular, but definitely good enough to serve as a solid back-of-the-rotation guy.

Brandon Hicks

In 109 games between high-A and AA last year, this 6'2" right-handed shortstop provided the Miss-Braves and Pelicans with a line of .238/20/63/14.

When you look at the power and stolen bases, it becomes easy to overlook the bad BA (look at Francoeur, the lovable whiffer).

He needs to work on his discipline, which would improve the BA (139 K's in 396 AB is not great).

Now, Hicks probably wouldn't mean anything to me, except for one thing: he has the potential to be a 3B.

His size and fielding ability (.970 at SS, not exactly stellar, but short is A LOT more difficult than third) make him an intriguing option for the future of the hot corner in Atlanta.

If he ever finds his way into the Bigs, he could be a guy with a decent average and above-average power.

.268/26/89/21 is a distinct possibility.

Cody Johnson

Johnson is probably the most frustrating guy in the Braves system.

Many have said that this left-handed outfielder has the best raw power of anybody down on the farm.

However, Johnson's power is only eclipsed by his whiffing (once every 2.6 AB in A-ball last year).

With both of these factors, his line was .252/26/89/8.

Look, I'm not saying that a guy that K's as much as Johnson can't have success (just look at Ryan Howard), but if he can't bring down his 50 percent strikeout rate, he CANNOT have success in the Bigs.

However, if he can work on his discipline (after all he's only going to be 20 this year), Cody Johnson could be an absolute monster.

I am going to be positive, just for argument's sake, and post his numbers as a more disciplined hitter: .268/45/119/5.

Are those optimistic?  Definitely, but, as I said, if he can get a better grip on the strike-zone, then this guy could become one of the best power hitters the Braves have ever seen (minus Hank Aaron of course).

Next, Cole Rohrbough and Gorkys Hernandez (and maybe Randall Delgado if I'm feeling good).