Stock Up, Stock Down for Atlanta Braves' Top 10 Prospects for Week 4

Gavin AndrewsApr 29, 2013

A month into the season, it's now time for a proper check-up on Atlanta's top prospects.

If you're looking to save yourself some time though, here's what you need to know: The pitchers are doing well; the hitters, not so much.

But that would defeat the purpose of the prospect watch, wouldn't it?

Here is the stock report on Atlanta's top 10 prospects, as ranked by MLB.com.

1. Julio Teheran

1 of 10

Level: MLB

Position: Starting Pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 1-0, 5.48 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 23.0 IP, 29 H, 5 HR, 7 BB, 15 SO

Analysis

After three disappointing starts to begin his 2013 big league campaign, Teheran righted the ship with a seven-inning, one-earned-run performance last week against the red-hot Rockies.

He only struck out three hitters, but his control (zero walks allowed) was impressive.

Teheran should build off this performance and look to gain some traction into getting major league hitters out his rookie year.

Stock: Steady

2. Christian Bethancourt

2 of 10

Level: Double-A (Mississippi)

Position: Catcher

Throws/Bats: R/R

Season Stats: 44 AB, 15 H, .341 AVG, 6 R, 4 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1-6 BB/K, 3 SB, .356 OBP, .500 SLG

Analysis

Not having played any this past week, Bethancourt's sample size remains the same as the last stock report.

However, due to his tremendous start, Bethancourt's stock will stay up.

To sustain his incredible offensive performance though, he'll need to begin taking a few walks.

Stock: Up

3. J.R. Graham

3 of 10

Level: Double-A (Mississippi)

Position: Starting Pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 1-1, 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 23.1 IP, 23 H, 5 BB, 19 SO

Analysis

Graham has had such a great start to 2013 that MLB.com moved him up to the three spot in the Braves system.

While he has the gas to rear back and blow his fastball by you at 97 miles an hour, Graham is moving his way up through the minors with his ability to induce the ground ball repeatedly.

As he learns to be efficient and pitch deeper into games, Graham could find himself starting at Triple-A by the end of the year.

Stock: Up

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4. Lucas Sims

4 of 10

Level: Low-A (Rome)

Position: Starting Pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 0-1, 6.35 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 11.1 IP, 7 H, 10 BB, 7 SO

Analysis

Still only pitching a couple innings per outing, it will be a while before Atlanta really figures out what it has in Sims.

He has certainly had a rough start, but once he gets comfortable in professional baseball, he should be able to start showing his stuff.

Stock: Steady

5. Sean Gilmartin

5 of 10

Level: Triple-A (Gwinnett)

Position: Starting Pitcher

Throws: Left-handed

Season Stats: 2-0, 2.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 30.0 IP, 30 H, 13 BB, 14 SO

Analysis

Gilmartin has alternated spectacular starts with subpar outings this year.

Last week, he was spectacular, throwing eight innings of one-run ball.

And in only walking two hitters, Gilmartin's stock certainly rises this week.

Stock: Up

6. Alex Wood

6 of 10

Level: Double-A (Mississippi)

Position: Starting Pitcher

Throws: Left-handed

Season Stats: 1-1, 0.67 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 27.0 IP, 19 H, 5 BB, 31 SO

Analysis

Wood is embarrassing his competition in Double-A ball.

In two starts last week, Wood struck out 14 hitters in 11 innings without allowing a single run.

He should be knocking on the door of Triple-A very soon.

Stock: Up...Way Up

7. Mauricio Cabrera

7 of 10

Level: Low-A (Rome)

Position: Starting Pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 1-2, 2.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 26.2 IP, 17 H, 16 BB, 13 SO

Analysis

Cabrera had an excellent start last week, only giving up one run in seven innings of work.

With his filthy repertoire, he should be striking out more hitters than he is, but he managed to only walk a couple hitters last week, so the Braves will take what they can get.

By the end of this year, Cabrera could find himself further up this prospects list.

Stock: Up

8. Matt Lipka

8 of 10

Level: High-A (Lynchburg)

Position: Outfield

Throws/Bats: R/R

Season Stats: 81 AB, 17 H, .210 AVG, 8 R, 5 2B, 3 3B, 13 RBI, 7 BB, 18 SO, 4 SB, .270 OBP, .383 SLG

Analysis

Lipka is a curious case. He's not striking out an exorbitant amount, his walk rate is proportionally healthy to his batting average and he's getting a fair amount of extra-base hits considering the few hits he's actually collected.

However, he's still hitting .210.

He had a big game last week in which he went 4-for-5 with a double and a triple, so there's a chance he starts to turn his season around.

Stock: Down, but Leveling