The Atlanta Braves have built an excellent minor league system over the last few years. Despite the recent graduations of top prospects like Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr an impressive group remains with several more knocking on the major league door.
We are at that point in the offseason where our attention starts to turn towards spring training. It is also the time that many outlets start to release their top prospect lists for the upcoming season. Today, Baseball Prospectus has released its Top 101 prospect list for 2019 and the Atlanta Braves have eight players on the list.
No. 29 - Ian Anderson - RHP
No. 30 - Austin Riley - 3B
No. 53 - Mike Soroka - RHP
No. 58 - Kyle Wright - RHP
No. 60 - Bryse Wilson - RHP
No. 62 - Cristian Pache - OF
No. 65 - Drew Waters - OF
No. 70 - Touki Toussaint - RHP
An impressive list and while Atlanta may only have two players in the Top 50, five of their eight overall are pitchers which shows off their depth at that position. Anderson is coming off a great season in 2018 and may be the next to be knocking on the big league door. Soroka, Wright, Wilson and Toussaint have all already gotten a taste of the major league level.
Austin Riley might have as well if not for a knee injury that cost him a month of his season. The addition of Josh Donaldson clouds Riley’s future a bit but the short commitment also means that we shouldn’t write him off completely. He will reportedly get some reps in the outfield during the spring and could be a contributor at some point this season.
Both Pache and Waters are probably at least a year away but are two of the more exciting prospects in the system. Pache is one of the best defensive outfielders in the minors and should begin the season at Double-A. Waters put up outstanding numbers in 2018 between Rome and Florida. He is likely ticketed to begin the season back at High-A.