Atlanta Braves: Who Could Be Next Standout Rookie?

2011 marked an impressive season for Braves rookies as Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman finished first and second respectively in the voting for NL Rookie of the Year. 

Just a year earlier, Jason Heyward finished second in the balloting for best rookie. What about the future, though? The Braves farm system is regarded as one of the best in all of baseball. So who might be the next Braves Rookie of the Year?

Let's take a look at the next wave of potential Braves standouts. 

Pitcher: Julio Teheran

Teheran is regarded by many as the top pitching prospect in all of baseball. The 20-year-old right-hander blew away the competition at AAA in 2011. He went 15-3 with a 2.55 E.R.A. en route to being named International League Rookie and Pitcher of the Year.

Teheran started three and pitched in five big league games this past season going 1-1 with a 5.03 E.R.A. For many teams, a pitcher like Teheran would surely start 2012 in the majors. With a lock-jam in the Braves rotation, that may not be likely.

If he continues to progress though, the Braves may have to make room for him. A summer call-up is very possible. Whenever he arrives, expectations will be through the roof for Teheran. 

Pitcher: Randall Delgado

Delgado hasn’t produced in the minors in quite the way that Teheran has. However, he flourished as a member of the Braves rotation late in the 2011 season.

After having a cumulative 3.88 E.R.A. between AA and AAA, Delgado went 1-1 with a 2.83 E.R.A. in seven starts for the Braves. Delgado certainly surprised Braves fans getting the nod over Teheran in the starting rotation.

He'll probably start 2012 in AAA but should be making his mark full-time for the Braves by 2013. 

Pitcher: Arodys Vizcaino

Vizcaino started the 2011 season at the lowest level of the Braves three major pitching prospects. He was developing nicely as a starter in A and AA before being fast tracked to the majors to help in the bullpen.

Although he may not be as far along as Teheran or Delgado, Vizcaino possesses the best set of skills. His fastball can reach the upper 90s consistently and he has a filthy curveball.

Vizcaino had mixed results for the Braves with a 4.67 E.R.A. in 17 games. The Braves should continue trying to develop Vizcaino as a starter with the option of switching him to relief in the future. Don’t expect him to be ready as a starter, though, until at least 2013. 

Shortstop: Tyler Pastornicky

For a Braves team with a shortstop situation in flux, Pastornicky could be the answer. The soon to be 22-year-old had good success in his time at AA and AAA in 2011.

Most of Pastornicky’s 2011 season was spent at AA Mississippi where he hit .299 with six home runs and 36 RBI. He really took off after his call up to AAA Gwinnett. Pastornicky hit .365 in 27 games there, moving his name into the picture for the Braves shortstop of the future.

There is a chance that Pastornicky could begin the 2012 season as the starting shortstop for the Braves, but he will most likely begin in AAA with the option of being called up at some point. 

Third Baseman: Edward Salcedo

Salcedo was a big time signing when the Braves signed him as a shortstop out of the Dominican Republic. The Braves have tried to take things slow with Salcedo, who turned 20 in July.

His stats weren’t great at Low A Rome, but he began to play with more consistency. Despite only a .248 average in 2011, Salcedo has as much potential as any player in the Braves farm system.

He has the potential to hit for average and power, while already possessing the rocket arm necessary to play the hot corner. Salcedo is raw, but could be the eventual replacement for Chipper Jones if he continues to develop. He shouldn't be in the Braves major league plans until 2013 at the earliest.