Braves Spring Prospect Notes: Woods, Wilson, De La Cruz And More

The 2021 season marks a second straight year of no spring training trip for me. I have no access to the backfields to provide notes and reports on prospects in March. Many of them aren’t even on site yet, because minor league camp won’t officially begin until the major league players leave.

Therefore, I’m again doing what I can to provide spring notes by watching video of prospects invited to the major league side. This is the first of what will probably be two or three versions of a spring note dump, where I basically copy and paste my observations into a post with light editing.

William Woods
Plus arm speed, backside dip, three-quarters slot, long arm path, front side will open early at times, reliever motion.
95-99
Mostly straight, jumps from hand, big life but hittable at thighs, fringe command.
SL: 87-88, three-quarters break, hard bite, differing shape and bite from fringe command, flashes plus with tight spin.
CH: 92, decent arm action, two-seam action with firm fade, firm but usable change of pace.
Late-innings traits but need to see more. Present middle relief role because of command. 2021 looks will paint a clearer picture.

Bryse Wilson (first spring outing)
92-94
Worked down and glove side, showed fringe life on the sink, hittable at thighs.
Bored more than usual, natural bore to glove side.
Worked up a couple times, sequenced 77 and 94 for a K, flashed life up.
Didn’t command arm side.
SL: 85, flashed two-plane once, action remains fringy, spin isn’t consistently tight enough.
CB: 75-79, slurvy, lacks consistently effective bite, average depth.
Flashed one solid 77 with late break and more downward action.
Still struggles showing complete starter’s arsenal. Continue to project hybrid role.

Jasseel De La Cruz
95-97
Inconsistent command, natural plane with cut, hard cutting life.
Money FB when cut is lively and around the zone.
SL: 85-87, flash two-plane, late downward break, inconsistent feel.
Late-innings two-pitch mix.

Drew Waters
4.1 home to first – 60 run.
Current run projection is 55 based on growth and baserunning. Could maintain plus run times for foreseeable future.

Justin Dean
4.05 home to first – bump to 70 run
Clocked plus-plus run times from Dean in 2019. Dynamic speed.
Ranges very well in center based on natural speed. Still developing reads and routes but glove will be a weapon in CF.
Bat remains light. Bench traits.

Huascar Ynoa