Backfields Preview: Second Base
Backfields Preview is a positional breakdown of the Atlanta Braves system entering the 2020 season. Previous installments are catchers and first base.
It’s tough times for second basemen in the Braves minor league system.
Ozzie Albies is 23 years old, one of the best in the game at his position, and is signed through 2025 with a club option for ‘26. If you’re second base only and in Atlanta’s system, you’re either getting time at other positions to prove versatility or moving on to another organization at some point.
Therefore, while the Braves would surely prefer to have more prospect talent at the position than not, no one is losing sleep over how thin the ranks are at that spot. Regardless, there are a few names to remember in case they take developmental steps toward utility, bench or upper-levels depth types of futures.
Graded:
Braden Shewmake - 45
Shewmake gets a nod here to have a graded prospect in this post. It also gives me the opportunity to show that Shewmake can be a versatile defender capable of playing either spot up the middle. There are whispers of some evaluations placing him as a potential everyday player. He surprised many with such a good post-draft report, but I’m not there yet. The bat has yet to show that type of impact for me, and I still think he’s better suited in a utility role. If he played every day, second base may be the better spot. I’ll go into full detail on Shewmake when the shortstop post is published.
System Depth:
- Beau Philip – Glove is Philip’s carrying tool, and he’s capable of sticking at shortstop and doing it well. There are legitimate hit concerns, so adding value by playing any infield position will help as he tries to reach the upper levels as a utility guy. A good spring would send him to Low-A Rome.
- A.J. Graffanino – I’ve previously mentioned Graffanino as a possible bounce-back candidate after a lost 2019 season because of injury. He has a good feel to hit and makes loud contact on the barrel, although it’s a gap-to-gap approach and level swing plane. He has decent speed and footwork, a steady glove and good instincts. A healthy, productive season could get him back on the map as a possible bench infield type. He could return to Class-A Advanced Florida or get an aggressive push to Double-A Mississippi.
- Greg Cullen – Cullen is a small 15th-rounder and is already 23, but he’s a scrappy second baseman with a feel to hit, surprisingly loud contact and a strong glove. There’s more here than meets the eye and could be enough to reach a bench role, and it’s certainly enough to be upper-level depth for a long time. He should see Mississippi rather quickly.
- Riley Delgado – Easy call here as upper-level depth capable of playing any infield position. Good, versatile glove and lack of an impact bat. His assignments are probably fluid at this point, but he should see Mississippi.
- Cody Milligan – JuCo ninth-rounder with a small frame and lack of pop, but he shows a feel for the zone and can run. He’ll probably go to Rome.
40-Man: None
Non-Roster Invitees: Shewmake
2020 ETA: None
A good season from Shewmake will have him knocking on the door, which would mean a utility role out of the gate barring some unforeseen issue with Atlanta’s middle infield. He likely debuts in 2021.
Top Tool: Shewmake’s 55 hit
You could make the case for 55 gloves on Philip, Cullen and Delgado, but Shewmake’s hit tool is the one that matters here.
Breakout Candidate: Shewmake
I’m probably going to repeat all of this in the shortstop post, but there’s just nothing else to put here. Graffanino is certainly capable of bouncing back and moving quickly, but that doesn’t fall under the definition of breaking out as an impact guy.
2019 Top Transactions: Drafted and signed Shewmake, drafted and signed Philip, drafted and signed Milligan.
2019 Top Performance: Shewmake hit .318/.389/.473 with 23 extra-base hits and 11 stolen bases in 51 games for Rome after the draft.