Stock Up, Stock Down for Atlanta Braves' Top 10 Prospects for Week 17

After prophesying that Todd Cunningham of the Atlanta Braves would be dealt at the deadline for either a utility infielder or reliever, Reed Johnson went down with an injury and Cunningham was called up to fill the void. 

If you've been reading any of my Braves' prospects stock watches, you know the deal with Cunningham. He's a speedy center fielder who can get on base, steal some bags and provide solid defense in center field. He doesn't possess any power, but he's solid everywhere else.

Braves fans will enjoy watching Cunningham, who is also a relentless hustler, and will be sad to see him return to the minor leagues should the Braves' brass choose to demote him once Jordan Schafer or Reed Johnson return. 

Prospect rankings courtesy of MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. Season statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.

10. Aaron Northcraft

Level: Double-A (Mississippi)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 6-8, 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 108.0 IP, 103 H, 39 BB, 91 K 

Last Week's Stats: 2-0, 11.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 10 K

Analysis

Although already 23 years of age and possessing limited upside, the 6'4" Aaron Northcraft has the tools and the polish to carve out a niche as a No. 4 or No. 5 starter in the big leagues. 

While his pure stuff might not be anything to write home about, he has incredible movement on his pitches to pair with a fiercely competitive nature.

Northcraft turned in an incredible two-start performance last week, striking out 10 and walking only two in 11 innings of one-run ball. 

Stock: Up

9. Matt Lipka

Level: High-A (Lynchburg)

Position: Outfield

Throws/Bats: R/R

Season Stats: .270/.312/.394, 56 R, 25 2B, 5 3B, 5 HR, 39 RBI, 19 BB, 86 K, 23 SB

Last Week's Stats: .227/.292/.318, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 SB

Analysis

Matt Lipka is 21 years old and still has potential for offensive growth, but the former first-round pick should be producing better considering the fact that he is repeating High-A and turning in a lesser season.

Last week was a pretty typical line for Lipka lately with one walk, five strikeouts, and two stolen bases. For his organizational standing to improve, Lipka needs to get hot in the last few weeks of the season.

Stock: Down

8. Todd Cunningham

Level: Triple-A (Gwinnett)

Position: Outfield

Throws/Bats: R/S

Season Stats: .279/.357/.352, 54 R, 12 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 36 BB, 54 K, 18 SB (AAA)

.400/.400/.400, 2 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 SB (Majors)

Last Week's Stats: .000/.000/.000, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 SB (AAA)

.400/.400/.400, 2 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 SB (Majors)

Analysis

As mentioned in the introduction, after a sneaking suspicion that Todd Cunningham would be traded at the deadline, he can instead be found in Atlanta.

That's right, the speedy center fielder with a knack for getting on base is now with the big league Braves, earning a spot when Reed Johnson went down with an injury. 

How long Cunningham will be in Atlanta is another question entirely, but the better he plays, the harder it will be to send him back to Triple-A.

Stock: Up

7. Cody Martin

Level: Triple-A (Gwinnett)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 3-3, 2.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 67.0 IP, 63 H, 27 BB, 71 K (AA)

2-2, 2.89 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 46.2 IP, 38 H, 21 BB, 48 K (AAA)

Last Week's Stats: 0-1, 8.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K

Analysis

After a shaky outing two weeks ago, Cody Martin responded in phenomenal fashion, nearly tossing a complete game.

The righty continues to do nothing but impress in the upper minors, striking out hitters with his plus-cutter and knocking on the door of the major leagues with every start. 

Don't be surprised to see Martin earn a role with Atlanta down the stretch.

Stock: Up

6. Mauricio Cabrera

Level: Low-A (Rome)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 2-7, 4.14 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 111.0 IP, 102 H, 58 BB, 93 K

Last Week's Stats: 0-1, 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Analysis

The consistently mercurial Mauricio Cabrera turned in a curious performance last week. He allowed nine baserunners but was able to go nearly seven full innings, gave up only one run and struck out five in the process.

If the season ended today, the 19-year-old's campaign should be considered a success. Cabrera has gained experience pitching further into games at a higher level of the minor leagues than he was in 2012 and has learned to harness some of his control and immense talent in the process. 

He still has a few starts left this season, but Cabrera has definitely taken a step forward in 2013. 

Stock: Up

5. Jason Hursh

Level: Low-A (Rome)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 18.0 IP, 9 H, 7 BB, 14 K

Last Week's Stats: 1-0, 8.1 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 6 K

Analysis

Jason Hursh is simply dominating hitters in Low-A through his first 18.0 innings, and he should. He's a college arm out of Oklahoma State who throws 95 miles an hour.

The development of Hursh's secondary offerings, along with his health, will determine whether or not Atlanta uses him as a starter or a reliever, but with a logjam in the starting rotation, it seems likely Hursh ends up in the bullpen—and very soon.

Stock: Up

4. Sean Gilmartin

Level: Triple-A (Gwinnett)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Left-handed

Season Stats: 3-7, 5.83 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 71.0 IP, 89 H, 30 BB, 47 K (AAA)

0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 K (Rookie)

Last Week's Stats: 0-0, 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 K (Rookie–Rehab Assignment)

Analysis

Still on a rehab assignment in the rookie league, Gilmartin turned in a great short start of 3.0 innings and five strikeouts. Perhaps most encouraging is the doughnut in his hits and walks column, but the strikeouts are encouraging as well. 

After a disappointing first half of the season, Gilmartin can still salvage his season by pitching well down the stretch.

Stock: Up

3. Christian Bethancourt

Level: Double-A (Mississippi)

Position: Catcher

Throws/Bats: R/R

Season Stats: .279/.308/.430, 74 R, 16 2B, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 13 BB, 46 K, 11 SB

Last Week's Stats: .360/.370/.440, 3 R, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K, 4 SB

Analysis

After a disappointing start to the season, Christian Bethancourt has really been swinging the bat well lately. He's taking walks, not striking out a ton, collecting extra-base hits and even stealing bags.

He'll probably repeat Double-A for a portion of 2014, but keep in mind that Bethancourt turns just 22 in September and has plenty of time to develop should he finally be taking those next steps forward.

Stock: Up

2. Lucas Sims

Level: Low-A (Rome)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 7-4, 3.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 87.2 IP, 67 H, 37 BB, 96 K

Last Week's Stats: 2-0, 10.1 IP, 4 ER, 14 H, 7 BB, 13 K

Analysis

While Lucas Sims didn't light the world on fire last week, the 19-year-old continues to impress, striking out 13 hitters in 10.1 innings pitched. He struggled with his command though, walking seven and allowing 14 hits. 

Nonetheless, the amount of success Sims has had during his first full season of professional baseball at such a young age suggests that the precocious pitcher has a very bright career ahead of him.

Stock: Even

1. J.R. Graham

Level: Double-A (Mississippi)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 1-3, 4.04 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 35.2 IP, 39 H, 10 BB, 28 K

Last Week's Stats: Seven-day disabled list; no action seen.

Analysis

There hasn't been anything new to write about J.R. Graham since May, as the high-octane sinkerballer has been out with a shoulder sprain almost the entire season.

However, it's better to be safe than sorry with pitchers and the Braves want to be sure that Graham is completely healthy before he takes the hill again.

Stock: Even