Braves Ink Several Undrafted Free Agents; Drafted Players Sign
As of this writing, the Braves have signed six undrafted free agents. The period for signing these draft-eligible players began Sunday and is meant to limit draft spending by capping these signings at $20,000.
I was asked how many players a team might sign for this purpose, and I really have no answer. This is an unprecedented situation, and I’m watching this process with curiosity as much as everyone else.
As I’ve said before, it appears most of the signed players are falling into the category of those who typically sign $150,000 draft bonuses and below, usually in rounds 6-10 and after the 15th or so. That was the case with Atlanta’s first three signings Sunday and another Wednesday, while a few others fall outside that category as more prep upside picks.
The top signing for the Braves so far came Wednesday: Georgia senior shortstop Cam Shepherd. I’ve followed Shepherd since his freshman year in Athens and remained high on his pro potential despite an up-and-down college career at the plate. The obvious draw is a plus-potential glove at shortstop, where he showcases smooth actions, soft hands and solid footwork to each side. He’ll advance in the system on the glove alone. The bat will be the difference between stalling in the upper levels and being a possible major leaguer. He’s shown pop to all fields, mostly gap to gap with flashes of pull-side home run power, and has a quick bat. Loosening the stroke and covering the plate have been issues at times. If the Braves can tap into his athleticism at the plate, there’s a major league player here, which is a solid get for $20,000.
The first three the Braves signed were Miami (Ohio) senior utilityman Landon Stephens, Columbus State junior first baseman Bryson Horne and Tusculum senior right-hander Carter Linton.
I’ve already recapped these three but will include my notes here to keep it all in one place. Stephens is a bat-to-ball guy who produces consistent doubles power and has experience playing all over the field. Horne is what you envision when you think of a Division II lefty first base masher. He’s a big dude with present strength. Linton has recently been low-90s up to 95 with a changeup and multiple breaking ball looks. There’s a little intrigue to each, but they’ll likely serve depth purposes for the most part.
Ethan Workinger announced his signing Monday. He’s a junior college outfielder from California with long limbs and a projectable frame to grow into strength. There’s present power, producing a 94 mph exit velocity at a Perfect Game event, and he has present arm strength, perhaps enough for right field. There’s some athleticism, but the draw here is power potential between his projectable frame and pop off the barrel. The swing is a bit rigid and he needs to utilize his lower half better, but the framework is there for the player development staff.
Antonio Barranca is a prep (Pennsylvania) signing. He’s a very similar profile as Workinger with a long, projectable frame that will develop power and likely settle into a corner outfield spot or first base. He’s currently a primary catcher, but he’ll probably grow off the position or have to move because of fringe actions. There’s decent athleticism, but again the draw is power potential. He has present strength with a top exit velo of 95 mph. When he gets out in front and pulls it, the contact is loud with solid carry. He gets to his lower half well, but has to avoid barring out and will need to prove he can cover the plate. Like Workinger, Barranca has the framework for a player development staff. They’ll both be projects.
Also of note: the Braves signed fourth-round pick Spencer Strider to full slot at $451,800. Strider is a right-hander out of Clemson who missed 2019 with Tommy John surgery and returned this spring hitting mid-to-upper-90s. Strider getting full slot may be a surprise to some, but it’s further evidence that the Braves are super high on him, more so than the public. It’s a situation where you have to just wait and see.
First-rounder Jared Shuster went underslot, as expected, at $2,197,500 (slot was $2,740,300). Shuster is a left-hander out of Wake Forest who is projected to stick as a starter with three major league pitches, perhaps as a low mid-rotation guy.
Third-round Michigan outfielder Jesse Franklin signed below slot at $497,500 (slot was $599,100). The athletic center fielder has a chance to stick up the middle, but it’s not a guarantee at present. He has a package of average or better tools and could tap into plus raw power as he develops.