Stock Up, Stock Down for Atlanta Braves' Top 10 Prospects for Week 21

A slumping Evan Gattis was recently demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett, raising questions as to whether or not the brutish fan favorite is ready to take over the starting catcher's role in 2014 should Brian McCann walk.

Unless Atlanta signs a catcher like Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a multi-year deal, the door could very well be open for young Christian Bethancourt to seize the starting role and run with it. 

And with a .306/.338/.526 triple slash line since June 22, via Baseball-Reference, the defensive wizard has decided that he would very much like to play his home games in Atlanta next season.

What do you think? Is Bethancourt ready, or do the Braves go with someone else?

Prospect rankings courtesy of MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. Statistics via Baseball-Reference.

10. Aaron Northcraft

Level: Double-A (Mississippi)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 8-8, 3.42 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 137.0 IP, 124 H, 51 BB, 121 K 

Last Week's Stats: 1-0, 10.1 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 6 BB, 14 K

Analysis

Since July 14, Aaron Northcraft has looked less like the 10th-ranked prospect and more like the top ranked prospect. According to Baseball-Reference, the big righty has tossed 54.0 innings over nine starts, posting a 50:16 strikeout-to-walk ratio and an even 2.00 ERA. 

Northcraft was epitomized by his performance last week; he projects as a workhorse with impressive movement on his pitches. He'll probably always have some issues with his command, but he'll be able to avoid bats and being shelled. 

Expect Northcraft to earn a promotion to Triple-A out of spring training in 2014.

Stock: Up

9. Matt Lipka

Level: High-A (Lynchburg)

Position: Outfield

Throws/Bats: R/R

Season Stats: .251/.306/.363, 76 R, 29 2B, 7 3B, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 29 BB, 107 K, 37 SB

Last Week's Stats: .167/.286/.222, 3 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 4 K, 4 SB

Analysis

While Aaron Northcraft is on his way up, Matt Lipka is on his way down. Repeating High-A, the former first-round pick has taken a step backwards this season, only looking promising on the basepaths.

This week was no different, as he hit well below .200 yet stole four bases. 

Expect Lipka to re-repeat High-A in 2014 with the hopes of figuring something out at the plate.

Stock: Down

8. Todd Cunningham

Level: Triple-A (Gwinnett)

Position: Outfield

Throws/Bats: R/S

Season Stats: .263/.340/.333, 58 R, 13 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 39 BB, 61 K, 20 SB (AAA)

.250/.250/.250, 2 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 SB (Majors)

Last Week's Stats: .143/.294/.143, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 SB (AAA)

.000/.000/.000, 2 K (Majors)

Analysis

Todd Cunningham hasn't swung the bat particularly well lately, but that hasn't stopped the Braves organization from shuffling him between Triple-A and the major leagues these past few weeks.

Still, if Cunningham wants to remain in the majors the rest of the season, he's going to have to start hitting a little better.

If Jordan Schafer is still on the roster in 2014, expect Cunningham to be traded in the offseason.

Stock: Down

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)

3-4, 3.49 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 69.2 IP, 59 H, 31 BB, 66 K (AAA)

Last Week's Stats: 1-0, 8.0 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Analysis

Cody Martin's excellent season was extended last week with only one run allowed in 8.0 innings pitched over his two starts. 

After ripping through the minor leagues, the righty out of Gonzaga is close to forcing Atlanta's hand and getting the call to the big leagues, where he could either start or relieve with his command and excellent cutter. 

Stock: Up

6. Mauricio Cabrera

Level: Low-A (Rome)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 3-8, 4.18 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 131.1 IP, 118 H, 71 BB, 107 K

Last Week's Stats: No action seen.

Analysis

Mauricio Cabrera failed to see any action this week, and unless the Rome Braves make the playoffs, one has to wonder if 19-year-old flame-thrower is done for the season after 131.1 IP on the year.

Whether or not Cabrera sees another inning in 2013, this season should be considered a success. Down the stretch, the young fireballer found consistency and established himself as a prospect for the Braves brass to keep tabs on. 

In a farm system devoid of potential stars, Cabrera's age and talent make his development the next couple years a priority in the Braves organization. Expect Cabrera to pitch most of the year at High-A in 2014.

Stock: Even

5. Jason Hursh

Level: Low-A (Rome)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 1-1, 0.67 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 27.0 IP, 20 H, 10 BB, 15 K

Last Week's Stats: No action seen.

Analysis

As I wrote in the previous slide, the Rome Braves' season could be mere days from its conclusion, and with it the 2013 campaign for Jason Hursh.

While his strikeout numbers in his last few outings have been disappointing, Hursh still profiles as a good major league reliever with the potential to be great if he can develop one of his secondary offerings.

Expect Hursh at High-A to begin next season, but climb the ranks of the farm system rather quickly.

Stock: Even

4. Sean Gilmartin

Level: Low-A (Rome)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Left-handed

Season Stats: 3-8, 5.34 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 86.0 IP, 107 H, 31 BB, 61 K (AAA)

0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 11 (Rookie)

1-0, 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 5 K (Low-A)

Last Week's Stats: 0-0, 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 7 K (Triple-A)

Analysis

In his third start back in Triple-A, Sean Gilmartin put it all together and dazzled in a 6.0 inning, two-hit, one-run performance in which he struck out seven hitters and only allowed one walk.

Although his 2013 season has been disappointing, Gilmartin will likely recover his prospect status in 2014, probably even earning an extended trip to the big leagues.

Stock: Up

3. Christian Bethancourt

Level: Double-A (Mississippi)

Position: Catcher

Throws/Bats: R/R

Season Stats: .279/.306/.439, 42 R, 21 2B, 12 HR, 45 RBI, 15 BB, 57 K, 11 SB

Last Week's Stats: .200/.200/.250, 3 R, 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K

Analysis

Though Christian Bethancourt has had consecutive poor weeks at the plate, he only struck out twice last week, meaning that he's still hitting the ball, but simply isn't finding holes. 

With Evan Gattis struggling and Brian McCann a free agent after the conclusion to the 2013 season, Christian Bethancourt will become a serious competitor for the 2014 starting catching gig in Atlanta should he continue to show offensive growth.

Stock: Even

2. 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

I think it's safe to say that J.R. Graham won't be throwing another pitch until the 2014 campaign.

Atlanta is wisely playing it safe with their No. 2 prospect, as the high-octane sinkerballer has the tools to either become a solid starter or a lights-out reliever.

Expect Graham to spend a little time at Double-A next year before jumping to Triple-A.

Stock: Even

1. Lucas Sims

Level: Low-A (Rome)

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right-handed

Season Stats: 12-4, 2.62 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 116.2 IP, 83 H, 46 BB, 134 K

Last Week's Stats: 2-0, 10.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 13 K

Analysis

With yet another week that can only be described as "dominating," Lucas Sims continues to force his way up through the ranks of the top prospects in all of baseball. 

In his first professional season, Sims has proved that he can be spotty with command at times, but the advanced feel he has shown for pitching has been nothing short of precocious. Braves fans should be excited to see what the 19-year-old will do at High-A in 2014.

Stock: Up