Mailbag: Waters, Ball, Young Catchers, Roster Decisions
Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for today’s mailbag via Twitter. Today’s topics include Drew Waters, Bryce Ball, young catchers, roster decisions and more. There will be a Mailbag Part 2 coming Monday.
Q: Not counting players who have already had their debut in the majors, who is the most promising prospect in the system?
A: Drew Waters. He’s caught some flak for his ultra-aggressive approach at the plate that has been exploited at times against more advanced pitching, but the feel to hit and the impact contact that consistently comes off his barrel are obvious. As I’ve said before, there will be high strikeout totals, but Waters has the feel to hit to toe the line of high impact contact and high strikeouts. He does everything well and will be a solid everyday outfielder, likely beginning in 2022.
Q: MLB comp for Drew Waters?
A: I once heard Starling Marte as a great scenario for Waters, and that one always stuck with me. It’s not impact home run power, but it’s double-digit pop with tons of doubles and good stolen base totals while racking up his share of strikeouts and producing just an OK on-base percentage. Solid corner defense, too. As someone who has been super high on Waters for a while, I’d nod my head in approval if he produced like Marte.
Q: What do you want from Bryce Ball in 2021 if there is a minor league season?
A: Ball has only appeared in 21 games of full-season affiliate ball, but I don’t think it’s out of the question for him to reach Double-A Mississippi at some point next year. The Southern League will likely be his first true test at the plate and will help determine whether his feel to hit can really show up on a daily basis against upper-level pitching. I’m not sure what the timetable is, but Double-A success should be his next goal.
Q: Who do you see being the catcher of the future between Langeliers and Contreras?
A: Contreras is my catcher of the future for the Braves. He has higher overall upside than Langeliers because of the bigger bat potential. Langeliers is more polished behind the plate and has everyday potential because of the premium glove, but Contreras is super athletic defensively and is shoring up his raw actions while offering an equally impressive arm. Contreras’s bat has the potential to be one of the better producers among catchers in the majors if it comes together. That’s the difference for me.
Q: Who is the next pitching prospect you see being an impact bullpen arm?
A: It probably won’t be right away because the Braves will give him a chance to start, but Kyle Muller remains a high-leverage reliever for me. He fits the mold of the imposing left-hander coming out of the pen with two impact pitches and only somewhat of an idea of where they’re going. I think he settles into a late-innings role for his major league career. If we’re talking right now, the thought keeps nagging at me that I’m low on Huascar Ynoa’s relief potential. I don’t have him as that high-leverage guy, but he was throwing like one at some points this year. Perhaps he sneakily becomes an impact reliever soon.
Q: How will the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation be handled next year? Which young catcher will emerge? If Ozuna walks, who can fill his void?
A: First, I won’t pretend to know what Atlanta’s finances are or whether the front office can spend, so I don’t know what will happen with Marcell Ozuna or how they might replace him. Heck, we’ve already seen a couple of very solid players in MLB either outrighted or have their option declined. This is going to be a weird offseason.
If the Braves can spend even a little, I won’t be surprised if they go back to the well for another veteran arm to compete for a rotation spot. Kyle Wright has a spot, but a veteran competing with guys like Bryse Wilson and Tucker Davidson just behind Wright may offer a little extra motivation to grab that spot tightly. If the Braves have nothing to spend on pitching, they’ll rely on their young arms some more, which means Wilson, Davidson, maybe even Muller are in contention for a back-end spot.
I would rather see Contreras get at least a half season at Triple-A Gwinnett before handing him a major league role. If the Braves don’t spend on a backup catcher, they’ll either try Alex Jackson or see if Contreras can do something with it. If Jackson isn’t given a chance this time, that signals he’s either an up/down catcher or won’t be in the org for long. Signing a veteran backup to a one-year deal makes the most sense unless they want Contreras to learn on the fly.
Q: Which jettisoned Braves players do you give another chance to (ex. Folty, Newk)?
A: It might be best for everyone involved if Mike Foltynewicz gets a fresh start in a new org next year, but there’s always the chance he returns for a possible back-end rotation competition. There’s no reason to trade Sean Newcomb. He’s capable of being a reliable reliever covering an inning or two at the time, if he’s actually used properly. He’s still under team control and doesn’t have starter value on the market, so just keep him and work him as a reliever.