Atlanta Braves Top 100 Prospects: Top Twenty

15. Bryse Wilson, RHP, Rome

Born: 12/20/1997
2017 Stats: 26 GS, 137 IP, 2.50 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 37/139 BB/K
Info: Many knew the top 3 high school arms the Braves selected in 2016 as an elite group, but the guys who’s put up the best numbers in his minor league career thus far is actually Wilson, the Braves’ 4th round selection in that draft. Wilson had a dominant senior season, throwing multiple no-hitters. Known for his dominant fastball/breaker combo really played well in Rome this season, with his change working well when he did use it, though the quality of the pitch still has a lot to be desired. Wilson’s long arm action could lead to him being a reliever in the end, but he’s shown the ability to handle a heavy workload on his arm and has a very good build to handle the wear and tear of innings. Continuing to push forward on the consistency of his arm slot and break of his breaking ball will only allow Wilson to move from a #3/4 guy to a guy who could work more near the top of a rotation.

14. Drew Waters, OF, GCL/Danville

Born: 12/30/1998
2017 Stats: .278/.362/.429, 224 PA, 4 HR, 6 SB, 23/70 BB/K
Info: Waters was considered the top prep bat in Georgia this season, which usually is a guy that goes early in the first round, so the Braves were delighted to see him there in the 2nd round, giving them an elite pair with their dream guy falling to them in the first round as well. Waters has a very impressive balance of power and speed along with advanced athleticism. He will need some work on pitch recognition and zone recognition, but even then, he drew walks at over a 10% rate on the season. He just accompanied that with a 31.3% strikeout rate. There’s no reason to rush Waters, but it wouldn’t surprise if he opens with Rome in 2018 and spends the season there, with an opportunity to be an elite outfielder if he can develop his recognition further.

13. Joey Wentz, LHP, Rome

Born: 10/6/1997
2017 Stats: 26 GS, 131 2/3 IP, 2.60 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 46/152 BB/K
Info: Wentz and Muller had a lot in common coming out of high school, though Wentz had focused primarily on his pitching in his final year of high school with the intention of being drafted and becoming a pro, while Muller had a strong college commit that may have allowed him to continue working both ways. Wentz was a power hitting first baseman until the showcase season before his senior year, when he showed a mid-90s fastball and an elite curve. While he was considered a top prospect based on just that, his projectable size also allowed for many teams to feel that even when his velocity “dropped” in his senior year, that he’d end up adding velocity as he filled out. Wentz continued seeing the same velocity this season, leading to many questioning his future, but Wentz showed he can be very effective at that velocity, using tremendous location and movement to generate plenty of strikeouts. Wentz could still add that velocity, as he just turned 20 in October, and he has some filling into his 6’5″ frame still to do, but even without that velocity, Braves fans should not allow themselves to be overwhelmed by news from sources that discuss his long-term future in a negative light solely because of his velocity, because at the velocity hes showed in 2017, Wentz could be a very effective #3/4 guy. If he can develop that extra tick or two, he could have front line upside.

12. Touki Toussaint, RHP, Florida/Mississippi

Born: 6/20/1996
2017 Stats: 26 GS, 145 IP, 4.53 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 64/167 BB/K
Info: Toussaint worked hard with Braves pitching guru Dennis Lewalyn at Florida, and the change was slow, but when it took, he was ready for a move. His last four starts with Florida, he threw 26 innings, had a 6/26 BB/K, and had a 2.42 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Once in Mississippi, Toussaint had rumors swirling constantly about a move to the bullpen, though he never once threw out of the bullpen. Now, this fall, he’s working out of the bullpen in Arizona, and his fastball is able to reach triple digits in short stints while the curveball remains an absolute force. Toussaint has made significant strides in his composure on the mound. He saw his walk rate drop a significant amount in 2017, even though it was still at 10%, which is too high, but the strides made in his approach on the mound has allowed for him to show the top end, front line starter talent that he’s always possessed. His AFL showing has given an indication of his elite level he could hold as a bullpen piece as a “fall back”.

11. Alex Jackson, C, Florida/Mississippi

Born: 12/25/1995
2017 Stats: .267/.328/.480, 402 PA, 19 HR, 23/106 BB/K
Info: After struggling in the Mariners system to reach his immense talent level, the Braves returned Jackson to his high school position when they acquired him in the offseason. Jackson understandably was raw at the position, but he has made significant strides over the course of the year, such that a few people I trust who have seen him in Arizona have stated that he has a definite future behind the plate. Now, they aren’t calling him the best defensive backstop in Arizona or anything like that, but he has made significant strides. At the same time, he saw the ability to finally tap into the immense natural power that he has always possessed, even in the power-suppressing Florida State League. Jackson will open in Mississippi most likely in 2018 after only getting 30 games at the level in 2017. He could make a September appearance, getting himself ready for a longer appearance in 2019.

Next: #6-10