Organization Ranking: 6
I've ranked every farm system, as well as the top 100 MLB prospects for 2015. Below, I've ranked at least the top 10 Braves prospects, plus an overview of the system and any other names of note beyond the top 10. I also discuss any prospects who might help the big league club in 2015, one or two prospects whose stock has taken a big hit in the past year, and a sleeper prospect who I think can jump into the main top-100 list for 2016.
Non-Insider subscribers: Check out the free Tampa Bay Rays top-10 prospects report to see what these entail.
Top 10 prospects
1. Jose Peraza, 2B/SS
2. Mike Foltynewicz, RHP
3. Ozhaino Albies, SS
4. Tyrell Jenkins, RHP
5. Rio Ruiz, 3B
6. Max Fried, LHP
7. Ricardo Sanchez, LHP
8. Braxton Davidson, 1B
9. Cristian Bethancourt, C
10. Manny Banuelos, LHP
Overview
Six of Atlanta's top 10 prospects weren't in the organization to start 2014, and Albies only signed in July 2013, so it's been a big and rapid overhaul for what had become one of the most stagnant minor league systems in the game. Several unproductive drafts and minimal results from the international market hurt the club, but the new front office added a ton of prospects, mostly depth guys, through trades, as well as a pair of high-upside prospects in Foltynewicz and Sanchez. The latter was the Angels' second-best prospect last winter and impressed in a brief stint in rookie ball this summer, although at 17 he has a ways to go as a pitcher and must build up some durability to become a starter.
Last year, it wasn't easy to get to 10 names in this system, with 26-year-old Ian Thomas, a free agent signed out of an independent league, rounding out their list. This year, it's hard to figure out where to stop, with Lucas Sims (ranked 11th), Arodys Vizcaino (12), Jace Peterson (13), Garrett Fulenchek (14), Andrew Thurman (15), Mallex Smith (16), Mauricio Cabrera (17), Dustin Peterson (18), Wes Parsons (19) and Jason Hursh (20) rounding out the top 20. And there are still more guys who project to be better than up-and-down guys. They're a little light on future stars, but Atlanta is well set up to put together a young, cost-controlled competitive core in about two years. Thurman came in the Evan Gattis deal and was hitting 95 mph early last year, but his command imploded; you could dream a little and see him suddenly pitching with his old command, a plus fastball, and two other average or better pitches. Smith's speed might be enough to change the game on both sides of the ball, although right now he's athleticism over aptitude. Dustin Peterson, the younger brother of Mariners prospect D.J. whom the Braves acquired in the Justin Upton deal along with Jace Peterson, Fried and Smith, had a very disappointing first year and didn't endear himself to San Diego coaches with his effort, but is still young and has the hand-eye coordination to be a much better hitter for average.
2015 impact
Foltynewicz should be up at some point this year, although a return to Triple-A to work on command and control would benefit him. Bethancourt is likely to be their everyday catcher with Gattis traded; Banuelos and Vizcaino could contribute right away as relievers. Jace Peterson could at least be their utility infielder, although his bat hasn't quite developed as well as I'd hoped.
The fallen
Sims struggled badly in the first half, missing a little velocity and losing the feel for his curveball, with an ERA of 5.00 through fourteen starts. The stuff picked up in the second half, making up for his below-average command, and he started missing more bats and issuing fewer walks, so there's still some hope he can bounce back this year at age 21.
Sleeper
Sanchez is the most likely guy here to jump into the top 100, as he already has touched 95 and shown a plus curveball that projects to improve further as he adds velocity. He did lose some fastball as the season went on and was sitting at average by the end of the AZL Angels' season, so improving his conditioning and adding muscle to help get him through the season is key.