Mailbag: Braves Sign 3 Undrafted FAs, Draft Helps Depth, Roster Construction
Today is a mailbag post answering anything involving the Braves, but we’ll start with a brief look into three undrafted free agent signings by the Braves.
Sunday marked the beginning of the period when teams can sign undrafted free agents for the maximum $20,000. It became clear early in the day that the majority of the signings were players who would normally go for discounts in the draft, some between rounds 8-10, others later, with bonuses ranging $150,000 and below. Many who fall in that group are college seniors.
Some teams haven’t signed any players yet while the Cubs led the day with six. The Braves inked three: Miami (Ohio) senior utilityman Landon Stephens, Columbus State junior first baseman Bryson Horne and Tusculum senior right-hander Carter Linton.
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. All three have bits of intrigue and will be interesting to see on the field.
To the questions:
Q: Be it small, how did the Braves draft help their minor league depth?
A: As I said several times leading up to the draft, the timing of the five-round draft was unfortunate for the Braves considering their system’s situation. They need lower-level depth, especially in certain areas like starting pitching and up the middle. Being limited to five rounds hurts their ability to infuse the lower levels when it’s needed.
But what the Braves did do was smart and helped increase depth as much as it could from four picks. Jared Shuster and Bryce Elder are safe but solid pitching additions to the system, which were badly needed, while Spencer Strider provides some intrigue as an arm-strength guy. Jesse Franklin may have to move off center field but offers power potential and athleticism with an array of tools. They didn’t infuse the system with high-ceiling prep talent like many expected, but the college picks have some upside and help boost the lower levels right now.
Q: If the MLB plays a 50 game season this year, does that benefit or hurt a team that is constructed like the Braves?
A: Anything can happen over the course of 50 baseball games. That’s been proven many times with momentous charges and slumps. But I can’t help but feel the Braves are set up very well for a sprint of a season. They have some of the best pitching depth in baseball thanks to their top-heavy system full of arms, and it’s probably going to be an all-hands-on-deck situation for pitching staffs, especially early. The Braves don’t have to feel out which prospects should get rotation or bullpen spots or go to Triple-A. Throw them all in the fire and see who thrives. You can afford to do that over 50 games. On the position player side, having the designated hitter will help, because it will help settle the third base situation. Having someone like Austin Riley go off on power streaks would mean a ton in a shortened season.
Q: Why doesnt MLB adopt a draft structure like NFL? Each pick worth X dollars and ability to trade draft picks.
And NHL where the team gets player rights if they want to go to, or continue, college.
A: The second part is because teams want to control its players once signed. It’s a huge deal to get the players into the development process under the eyes of player development staff and coaches.
Regarding the first part, I assume it has to do with controlling draft spending. Having control over draft bonus pools and spending is a huge deal to MLB and owners. It’s always been a weird thing to harp on considering the spending is a relative drop in the bucket and the return on the investment has been proven to be considerable. It’s the same deal with the international market. Also, bonus pools and slots open up avenues for manipulation.
Q: Which prospects do you think are most impacted by no minor league season. Wilson (Contreras)? Which pitchers?
A: Contreras is definitely high on that list. The timing is unfortunate for him as he looked to put 2019 behind him and work to establish himself at the Double-A level. Fringe guys like C.J. Alexander, Trey Harris and Greyson Jenista are hit hard by it because of age and lack of opportunity. Among pitchers, Patrick Weigel can still get opportunities in a shortened major league season, but it would’ve been nice to see him get a full, healthy season under his belt. Freddy Tarnok needs reps more than anything at this point to prove his health and endurance while further developing feel over a full season.
Q: How do you think this season is going to effect guys like Bryce Wilson and Touki? Both came up and had fair share of struggles. Where do we go with them in this season and do they start competing in the pen?
A: This is a good question. I think both seem more destined than ever for the bullpen. There’s still a chance that Wilson develops a sharper secondary to get hitters off the multiple fastball looks, but his development has been stagnant for a little while now, and his stuff and demeanor are well-suited for relief. Toussaint needs to be given a clear, consistent role in the bullpen and allowed to let loose. I think it would be best for all involved. The question is what kind of opportunity they’ll get in a shortened season that will probably see tons of arms in fluctuating roles. Wilson could emerge as a multi-inning reliever or opener that sees a lineup once each time. Toussaint could emerge as a fireballing three-out reliever in the middle innings. I think this is the best possible outcome for both in 2020. A lot can happen, though.