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Atlanta Braves: Top 10 Rookie-Eligible Prospects for 2018

By Benjamin Chase

CINCINNATI - JUNE 19: A Braves equipment bag, a bat, and a glove are pictured before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2005 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds defeated the Braves 11-8. (Photo by John Grieshop/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI - JUNE 19: A Braves equipment bag, a bat, and a glove are pictured before the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2005 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds defeated the Braves 11-8. (Photo by John Grieshop/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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10. Bryse Wilson, RHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/20/1997 (20)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Rome Braves
2017 Stats: 26 GS, 137 IP, 2.50 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 6.8% BB, 25.5% K

Info: An impressive athlete with Division 1 offers in both football and baseball, Wilson was absolutely outstanding in his senior year on the mound, tossing multiple no-hitters and even a perfect game, however, he was overshadowed in an Atlanta Braves 2016 draft class that included 3 high school arms in the first 44 selections.

In spite of scouts not being a fan of his delivery, Wilson repeats well and shows excellent control and command of his three pitches

Wilson works off of a fastball that sits 91-94 and runs up to 96 at times with some wicked movement due to his unique arm motion, though some scouts are not a fan of that motion. His slider was a killer pitch in high school and his change has now bumped up to at least an above-average pitch.

In spite of scouts not being a fan of his delivery, Wilson repeats well and shows excellent control and command of his three pitches. The ability to sequence hitters that he showed in low-A could be a significant thing for him as he gets to the upper minors, though he’s most likely going to spend all or most of 2018 in high-A before getting that experience.

9. Ian Anderson, RHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/2/1998 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Rome Braves
2017 Stats: 20 GS, 83 IP, 3.14 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 12.1% BB, 28.5% K

Info: Anderson was a seeming surprise selection at #3 overall in 2016, though there were plenty of rumors that the Atlanta Braves were strong on Anderson going into draft night. He has shown since that the Braves were certainly on the money with their selection as far as raw talent goes.

Anderson came out of New York state for high school, so the Braves handled his innings carefully in 2017, with 2018 likely to be when he’s allowed to pitch to his full-season allowance of innings. His stuff had some ups and downs over the 2017 season, primarily due to issues with walks.

Interestingly, one of the highly-regarded things about Anderson is his command and control of his pitches, using a fastball with excellent plane that can run up to 97 and sits just under the mid-90s with some late low wiggle. He generates his plane and movement due to a high release point that also gives his curve ball excellent break. The change was a focus of 2017, and it’s shown well so far, with good arm deception.

Anderson will be opening 2018 with high-A Florida, but he could see a quick ascension up the system if he has his walk rate under control.

Next: #7 and #8

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