Braves Instructs Roster Features New Picks, Toolsy Position Players
Baseball America did an outstanding job the past couple weeks to gather all of MLB’s instructional league rosters. This isn’t an easy task, and it’s greatly appreciated. Here is the Braves roster.
(As an aside, help support BA if you can. They’re a great group and they do great work.)
As is mentioned in the post, the Braves took a slightly different approach to instructs this year by holding a smaller camp and doing it at the alternate site at Gwinnett. In normal times, instructs would be a large camp consisting of a bigger group of minor leaguers at the spring training complex in Florida. The purpose of instructs is to give especially younger minor leaguers a chance for additional development time at the complex before they go their separate ways for the winter. You often see recent international signings and newly drafted players on these rosters.
As you can see, this year’s roster construction is similar by inviting the newer and younger prospects. The four 2020 draft picks are listed along with two of the post-draft signings in Cam Shepherd and Antonio Barranca.
But you’ll also see some prospects who have been around for a year or longer and are on my list either as a full-report guy or an honorable mention type: Ricky DeVito, Joey Estes, Daysbel Hernandez, Jared Johnson, Tyler Owens, Victor Vodnik, William Woods, Mahki Backstrom, Vaughn Grissom, Michael Harris, Stephen Paolini and Beau Philip.
I’ll go through the roster according to where they are on my list.
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Jared Shuster (LHP) – 2020 first-rounder with easy starter traits, including a changeup that I have graded above Ian Anderson’s and is one of the highest-graded pitches in the system. Shuster worked at the alternate site all season and should get an aggressive assignment to start 2021. The ETA could be aggressive if the stuff spike is real and he holds it throughout next season.
Bryce Elder (RHP) – The other 2020 draft pick with starter traits. Shuster had one of the best changeups in the class and Elder had one of the best sliders. There’s a present two-pitch mix for a high floor, but he also has developing feel to spin a breaker or two for more looks, along with a durable, workhorse frame. A solid 2021 should propel him upward in a system that’s lacking starting pitching in the low to mid levels.
Michael Harris (OF) – Harris is definitely a prize in Atlanta’s eyes and could soon be vaulting into top five territory in the system. He’s not a burner so he’s not a true five-tool guy, but he will flash several tools and could be the type of prospect that brings value in a lot of ways. There’s a feel to hit, developing pull-side power, solid corner outfield defense with a shot in center if his reads and routes develop, and a cannon arm. Harris is the best position player prospect to make instructs.
Jesse Franklin (OF) – Franklin is a 2020 pick who does several things well, showing pull-side pop and athleticism in the field. His future depends on how much he hits, which will eventually get tested at Double-A.
Victor Vodnik (RHP) – Vodnik is a smaller righty with relief tendencies but a feel for a strong two-pitch mix between a fastball up to 97 and a downward-breaking curve. If he stays healthy, we may see him start knocking on the door in 2022.
Spencer Strider (RHP) – The other of the four 2020 draft picks on the roster, Strider has relief traits with a lively two-pitch mix and up-tempo delivery. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s moved quickly and is knocking on the door soon.
Vaughn Grissom (SS) – The other young position player prospect besides Harris who could propel himself quickly in the system. Grissom has solid power potential from a lengthy, developing frame, and a good base from which to work at the plate. He likely grows off shortstop and can use his athleticism and length to be a very good third baseman down the road. Grissom, like Harris, was working at the alternate site, a sign of what player development thinks of the young infielder.
William Woods (RHP) – Woods was just added to my list this month after becoming a late addition to the player pool and hitting 99 in a social media video. He’s always had a good fastball, but he’s grown into a very physical frame and the velo has spiked to become a real reliever prospect.
Daysbel Hernandez (RHP) – If the Braves had more player pool spots available, Hernandez probably would have been added at some point. Like Woods, he’s a real reliever prospect with a lively fastball but developing secondary. Double-A will be a test for him in 2021, but if he passes, we could see him in 2022.
Stephen Paolini (OF) – Paolini is in that same group with Harris and Grissom as toolsy young position players who could move up the system list quickly. He doesn’t have the fanfare of the other two because not as much is known about him, and the bat is perhaps a little behind, but he shows several tools and plays up the middle. His full-season assignment to Rome will be a test of his bat.
Tyler Owens (RHP) – A reliever in the future, Owens is a smaller righty with a big fastball and sharp curve. He needs to prove he can maintain the velo over a full season, but there’s plenty to like in this big arm.
Ricky DeVito (RHP) – Curious to see what DeVito shows over a full season. Was said to see a bump in stuff after the draft. Regardless, an assignment to instructs shows this isn’t a typical college depth arm. He’s shown major league potential stuff.
Cam Shepherd (SS) – One of the best post-draft signings in MLB. Shepherd’s big strength is the shortstop glove, where he’s steady with excellent hands and actions. The glove alone will get him to the upper levels, but there’s also some hit potential if the Braves unlock it.
Jared Johnson (RHP) – Overslot signing with big strength and velo potential. He’s a favorite as a sleeper candidate for pop-up prospect in 2021.
Mahki Backstrom (1B) – Raw corner slugger with big bat speed and power potential, but he has to prove he can hit.
Beau Philip (SS) – High draft pick based on the glove and floor of an upper-level utility guy, but the bat is light.
Joey Estes (RHP) – Overslot mid-rounder with arm strength and stuff who could move up if he performs at Rome.
Others to Note:
Gabby Rodriguez is one of those complex arms you hope stays healthy and figures it out, because the stuff and athleticism stand out. Antonio Barranca was a post-draft signing with intriguing power potential, but he’s raw and will be a development project. Carlos Paraguate earns a nod because he has one of the best gloves in the system at shortstop, but he’s tiny and the bat is light.