The Braves 2009 draft has been backwards. They started out on day one taking college arms with their first two picks, and continued to take college kids on day two. Now on day three they are taking a bunch of high school kids -- completely backwards to their normal draft strategy.
Most of the kids below will not be signed, but there are some intriguing players nonetheless.
Derek Wiley (31), 1B - A big power hitter and a college senior out of Tennessee. For more, click here.
Stephen (Jake) Montgomery (32), RHP - Another local product, this time of Pope High School in Cobb County, Georgia. Jake has signed to play for UGA next season.
Tyler Stubblefield (33), SS - The third Kennesaw Owl drafted by the Braves this year, and ranked as the 47th-best prosepct in Georgia. He is a plus defender at short or third, and has good power for a small body. He may be a tough sign, as he was expected to go much higher in the draft.
Arby Fields (34), OF - Officially the best name of the draft. It reminds me of the first time I saw a sign for Kwanza Hall, and I thought it was a place rather than a person. Arby is a two-sport athlete, excelling as a running back in football and committed to Northwestern. He will be a tough sign.
Matt Hartunian (35), C - Continuing the trend of good names, that last name is like something out of Dune. The house of Hartunian's son Matt is unranked in California, but hit almost .500 with excellent power as a four-year varsity starter at the same prep school that Russ Ortiz once attended. It will be tough to sign him away from USC.
Andrew Wilson (36), RHP - A college senior out of Liberty University, and unranked in Virginia. He is a senior and served as the closer this year for the team.
Matthew Moynihan (37), OF -Ranked as the 79th-best prospect in California, he is a prep outfielder with plus speed, developing power, and a fringe arm. His hitting may needs some work, and he is committed to San Diego State and considered a tough sign -- which begs the question, "why draft him here?"
Tripp Faulk (38), OF - Another kid from Myrtle Beach, like our fifth-round pick Thomas Berryhill. Click here for a local story on Faulk. He was unranked in South Carolina.
Joey Bourgeios (39), RHP - With a name like Bourgeios you've gotta be from Lousiana. He was ranked as the 27th-best prospect in the state as a freshman in Junior College, he was also a prep standout in the state.
Antonio Carrillo (40), OF - Another California prep player with a big bat -- he hit almost .500 his senior year as a local standout. Was named Player of the Year by the San Diego Union Tribune for the South Bay League.
Kyle Petter (41), LHP -This JuCo lefty was ranked one spot behind our 37th-round draft pick as the 80th-best prospect in California. He's a short player with a high-80's fastball, and also led his team in homeruns as a hitter.
Joshua Conway (42), OF - Has a full scholarship to Coastal Carolina. He was a standout as a wide receiver and d-back in football, and a two-way player in baseball, dominating on the mound and at the plate. More here.
Alan Walden (43), RHP - He begins a run of 8-straight pitchers taken to finish out the draft for the Braves. Walden suffered through several injuries his senior year, but when healthy he can run his fastball up in the mid-90's. A coache's son.
Corey Newsome (44), RHP - In addition to being a baseball player at Bay High School in Florida, Newsome was also a standout in soccer.
Nathan Dorris (45), LHP - The 34th best prospect in Illinois, and a Vanderbuilt recruit. He was the South 7 player of the year for the second straight season.
George (Buck) Farmer (46), RHP - A local prodduct from Rockdale County High School, and rated the 34th-best prospect in Georgia.
Jonathan (Colby) Holmes (47), RHP - This prep pitcher was rated as the 15th-best prospect in South Carolina. He is a short kid, already with a good fastball, who scouts believe may need more time to grow into his body before going pro.
Jamie Hayes (48), RHP - A college senior from Rider University in New Jersey.
Gabe Gutierrez (49), RHP - A two-way player at an Arizona high school.
Josh Edgin (50), LHP - Our very own Mr. Irrelevant is a junior from Francis Marion, who formerly pitched for Ohio State.