Braves 2021 Backfields Preview: Middle Infield

Backfields Preview is a positional breakdown of the Atlanta Braves system entering the 2021 season. Previous installments: Catchers and first base.

Last year, I published second base as its own post. However, there were only two legitimate second basemen on the list (A.J. Graffanino and Greg Cullen). Both were system depth and neither is in the org anymore. Similar to first basemen and left fielders, you don’t see many second-base-only prospects, because the position is typically filled by a former shortstop who moved over. Ozzie Albies is Atlanta’s example.

Therefore, I’m combining shortstops and second basemen into a middle infield post. I don’t even have a second-base-only prospect on my system depth chart, so this is basically a shortstop post that points out when a player might eventually move to second or has that versatility.

Middle infield is not a strong suit in the Braves system. The org has done a tremendous job of finding and developing middle infield talent over the years, especially behind the plate and in center field, and they developed one of the best double play combos in the game in Albies and Dansby Swanson. Between graduations, picks that didn’t pan out and a focus elsewhere, the middle infield has fallen on harder times lately. It’s easier to swallow when second base is set through 2027 and your shortstop has another arb year. But you want to keep the talent churning up the middle as much as possible, if only to provide bench or trade options.

The Braves made an attempt to rectify that by using a 2019 first-round pick on Braden Shewmake, who represents the best middle infield option in the system in a while, even if the end result isn’t super impactful.

Graded: 

Braden Shewmake – 45

There are two distinct camps when it comes to Shewmake evals: One sees a future everyday shortstop and the other sees a utility or bench player. I currently fall into the latter by giving him a 45 overall as a potential utility type who could get playing time around the infield and provide a contact stick. I haven’t been able to take that step with Shewmake because of the lack of impact in the bat. I fully acknowledge the contact ability, hence an above-average-potential hit tool, but the in-game power is well below average based on a flat bat path and contact approach. That sort of hit profile works if he’s getting on base at a super high clip and providing plus shortstop defense. I think he falls closer into complementary status.

Credit to Shewmake for coming out of the draft looking good, though. He has enough lateral range to work at short and has soft hands, and the arm is good enough. He shows the defensive tools and athleticism to provide versatility around the infield. There aren’t as many valuable utility players in the game as people realize, so putting that role on him isn’t a negative at all.

I’ve said before, but I hope the Braves take it easy on him out of the gate. He was rushed to Double-A Mississippi in his first pro taste out of the draft and didn’t respond. His summer and spring camp looks have been underwhelming. Much has been written about the potential for him to move quickly, and I hope he performs and makes it happen. But let him get his bearings in pro ball and perform in the upper levels before declaring him the future. I would send him to Mississippi after working at the alternate site, but the Braves could push him to Triple-A Gwinnett if they feel he’s ready.

Vaughn Grissom – 40

Grissom was drafted as a shortstop and will play the position as long as possible, but there’s a chance he grows off it and moves to third. He has the prototypical long, lean frame that fills out and moves to third as an athletic corner slugger. Some are able to beat that projection and remain at short, but more often than not, increased mass wins out.

For now, he’s a shortstop with tantalizing tools who still needs to perform over a full pro season. The Braves went overslot in the 11th round in 2019 and love what they have, hence the alternate site invite last year at 19 years old. He projects for hit and power with a quick stroke that utilizes inside hands and a solid, lofted bat path. He will grow into at least above-average raw. The quickness and athleticism show on defense with good range for his length and good enough hands along with an above-average arm. The glove grade would probably increase at third.

Like many others in the low levels, Grissom just needs to get on the field and perform in A-ball so we know what the Braves have. He likely plays a full season at Low-A Augusta.

System Depth:

Cam Shepherd – The former Bulldog could very well get his own report once he’s on the field and performing. I wrote that he was perhaps the best post-draft sign in baseball last year, profiling as an excellent, sure-handed shortstop who flashes pop and a quick bat. The glove will get him to the upper levels alone, and if he maxes out the hit, there’s bench potential.

Beau Philip – Good shortstop glove and the versatility to play around the infield with a plus arm. The bat is light and there are real questions on if he hits enough to make it. If the bat comes around, there’s bench or up/down potential.

Riley Delgado – Definition of system depth at shortstop. Sure-handed glove and gets on base at a decent clip, but he’s 26 now and will likely slot into upper-level org depth.

Carlos Paraguate – Some may scratch their heads at this one, but he’s extremely slick at short. It’s one of the better gloves in the system. He’s undersized and the bat is very light, and he doesn’t utilize his huge speed, so he may struggle to reach the upper levels. He gets a nod for the glove, though.

Positional Details:

40-Man: None

Non-Roster Invitees: Shewmake

2021 ETA: None

Top Tool: Shewmake’s 55 hit

Philip has a plus arm and there are several other 55 tools in this group, but the most important is Shewmake’s hit. It has to max out to be that utility player or better.

Breakout Candidate: Shewmake

Grissom could get a nod, but the initial full season of pro ball is usually a tough task. He’s a good candidate for next year. If Shewmake finds comfort at the plate against upper-level pitching, he has the hit to perform.

2020 Top Transactions: Added Shewmake and Grissom to player pool, signed Shepherd, traded Graffanino and Cullen.

2020 Top Performance: N/A