Over the past few years, the Atlanta Braves farm system has not been that impressive when it came to big named prospects. Early into the 2015 campaign for Atlanta, Jose Peraza was considered by many to be the top prospect in a rather dry system. Fast forward a year, and it’s a totally different story.
The prospect list for 2016 bursts with soon-to-be-ready MLB talent. Some prospects on the list, like John Gant (21st overall prospect via MLB.com), Tyrell Jenkins (7th overall), Manny Banuelos, and Daniel Winkler (29th overall) are already getting a taste of some MLB experience. Other prospects, like Dansby Swanson (1st overall, and former number one pick in the 2015 draft out of Vanderbilt) and Ozzie Albies (3rd overall), are knocking on the door of the show.
Restocking the Atlanta Braves Farm System
When looking at all this new talent, keep in mind that all of these prospects arrived in Atlanta via trades for some of the bigger names in baseball. The Braves have done a total remodel of the franchise and, with the exceptions of Julio Teheran and Freddie Freeman, nobody was exempt from being traded. Justin Upton brought in what was probably the biggest haul in terms of well-known prospects. Atlanta received Max Fried (9th overall prospect), Jace Peterson, Dustin Peterson, and speedster Mallex Smith. Justin’s brother, Melvin Upton (formerly B.J.), was shipped off to the San Diego Padres. Star closer Craig Kimbrel went to San Diego as well. At the start of the 2015 season, one might as well have referred to the San Diego Padres as the San Diego Braves.
That was far from the end of it. How about Atlanta native Jason Heyward? The St. Louis Cardinals received him in a deal for Shelby Miller. The Braves would then flip Miller in the winter of 2015 for the aforementioned Swanson and another prospect by the name of Aaron Blair. Finally, in a move questioned by many, defender-extraordinaire Andrelton Simmons was sent to the Los Angeles Angels for long-time Angels shortstop Erick Aybar and prospects Chris Ellis (12th Overall prospect), and Sean Newcomb (2nd Overall).
Evidence of Success
There’s no question that the Braves have used these trades to bolster their franchise for the long term. And so far, it been a success. A combined eleven farmhands represent Atlanta in minor league All-Star Games: from the Double-A Mississippi Braves: Swanson, Willians Astudillo, Peterson, and Ellis (won’t play because of a promotion to AAA); from High-A Carolina: Evan Phillips and Max Povse; and from Low-A Rome: Patrick Weigel, Jonathan Morales, Ray-Patrick Didder, Luke Dykstra, and Mike Soroka. The voting for the Triple-A All-Star Game has not been decided.
The Braves have quietly restocked and reloaded their farm system with some of the best prospects in baseball. They also made solid moves in the 2016 MLB Draft by selecting three high school pitchers in the first fifty picks, in addition to all their other selections.
It’s Still a Waiting Game
Only time will tell which prospects pan out, which make it to the show, and which might be a part of some trades that the Braves could make as soon as the 2016 deadline. Yes, the Braves are in last place in the National League East. It will more than likely take a Cleveland Indians movie-magic miracle for that to change. But one thing is for sure: the future is about as bright as the sun. So just sit back and endure the hard times, because good times are on their way. The Braves are headed north to Cobb County in 2017, and the franchise itself is headed upward very quickly.
Main Photo:
