Atlanta Braves: Prospects flying up the rankings in 2018
The Atlanta Braves boast the top farm system in the game, and many of their top prospects received an invite to camp.
Ronald Acuna, Austin Riley, Kolby Allard, Mike Soroka, and Kyle Wright all received a non-roster invite to MLB camp this year from the Atlanta Braves. There is a chance that all five could see time in Atlanta by the end of 2018. Not every non-roster invitee will work out though.
Some are vying for a utility role (Danny Santana, Christian Colon) while some are mere AAA depth pieces (Kade Sciviicque, Jaff Decker). Two of them are under the radar prospects yet to play above A ball. Those two players show us who the front office views as for future staples in the Atlanta Braves lineup.
William Contreras, C (12/24/97 – 6’0 180)
The 20-year-old brother of Cub’s Willson is one of the fastest rising prospects in baseball. He provides above average to plus defense behind the dish. At Danville, Contreras slashed .290/.379/.432 with 4 HR.
His hit tool can be special with above-average ability to barrel balls. Contreras makes consistent hard contact and has shown excellent patience for a teenager. He walked 24 times with only 30 strikeouts in 169 AB.
His inclusion in MLB spring training is very telling. Catchers Brett Cumberland and Lucas Herbert had solid seasons at higher levels but were not invited. This invite lets us know who the Braves view as their future catcher. He could shoot up prospect lists and end 2018 in the Top 100.
I saw him. Came away very, very impressed. He was the best player on the field with Maitan, Waters and it wasn't close. I liked him quite a bit
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) January 31, 2018
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Cristian Pache, CF (11/19/98 – 6’2 185)
Pache is the top defensive outfielder in the minor leagues…..and it isn’t close. Pache is an 80-grade defensive CF with a 70 arm and 70 speed. Playing his entire 2017 season as an 18-year-old at Rome, Pache put together a solid season slashing .281/.335/.343. Pache is a future 60-grade hitter showing an excellent ability to make contact. The toolsy CF still has a lot of projection and scouts do expect power to come. Fangraphs gives him a future 50 raw power.
Going into his age 19 season, the chance to interact with major league hitters will provide invaluable experience and an essential step in his development. Based on Pache’s hit tool, and his athleticism; increased in-game power may come as soon as this year. Pache is a notorious ground ball hitter at 65% and will need to use his lower half more to create leverage for his natural abilities to translate in-game.
Next: Could some of the lost ATL prospects return to the team?