Top Braves Candidates For Quick Promotions
The 2020 minor league season has likely reached the point where we won’t have halves. The possibility of a season at all is a discussion for another day.
For the purpose of this exercise, let’s pretend a full season is to be played. Which Braves prospects would earn the quickest promotions to the next level in the first half? If anything, it will show where prospects currently stand for when a season is played.
Shea Langeliers - C
Class-A Advanced Florida to Double-A Mississippi
Langeliers seems destined to start his first full pro season at Florida, a level below William Contreras. Even before his excellent spring, Langeliers was a candidate to earn an early promotion to Mississippi. Spring training further proved he could move more quickly than the average catcher. His defense is essentially major league ready and his bat is developing rapidly. The true test for his bat will come at Mississippi, though, and it could happen soon.
Bryce Ball - 1B
Class-A Advanced Florida to Double-A Mississippi
Ball put himself on the map as a legitimate first base prospect immediately after the draft by producing plus-plus raw power and showing a feel to hit. He performed exceptionally well at two lower levels where his skill set was above his younger competition. That could again be the case at Florida. A solid first few weeks could lead to a quick assignment to Mississippi, where his bat will be truly tested. A quick promotion seems even more likely considering the non-roster invite to spring training, where he performed well for the most part.
Braden Shewmake - SS
Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett
Shewmake probably should not have seen Mississippi at the end of his first full season. It was an aggressive assignment for someone just weeks out of the SEC. That being said, he has experience there now and went through a big league spring training, so it seems likely that his first assignment would be back in the Southern League. He has the hit tool to hold his own there, and the Braves really like him. A good first few weeks with the bat could earn him a trip to Gwinnett if the Braves remain aggressive on his assignments.
C.J. Alexander - 3B
Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett
Alexander needs to re-establish himself as a prospect after a lost year in 2019. He needs a 2020 season to happen perhaps more than most in the system. Two lost years in a row is not good news, even if neither were his fault. He seems likely ticketed to Mississippi. The Braves should be motivated to move him to Gwinnett quickly if he performs well.
Trey Harris - OF
Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett
The Braves could be aggressive and start Harris at Gwinnett considering his age and status as a non-roster invitee. It wouldn’t hurt to give him a few more reps at Mississippi. His plate discipline has wavered a bit as he’s moved up, and he hasn’t shown the same power he displayed at Rome. If he starts at Mississippi and holds his own early, he could reach Gwinnett in no time.
Greyson Jenista - OF/1B
Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett
What I said about Harris could be applied to Jenista. He may get the more aggressive nod to Gwinnett after somewhat holding his own late in 2019 at Mississippi. If he returns to Double-A, he could get a quick promotion by simply maintaining what he’s done recently. Jenista has worked hard and made strides over the past year to maintain his status as a prospect.
Other Possibilities
Daysbel Hernandez, RP - Relievers like Hernandez are always candidates for promotions at any point. Hernandez in particular could get an early promotion as one of the system’s better relief prospects. He should reach Gwinnett at some point soon.
Ricky DeVito, SP/RP - Could move quickly if he throws strikes and performs in the lower levels. Getting to Mississippi at some point in his first full season isn’t out of the question.
Justin Dean, OF - Has no reason to stay in Florida for an entire season if he’s hitting well.
Kasey Kalich, RP - Strong candidate to move quickly as a fourth-round reliever. He should have no problem reaching Mississippi in his first full year.
A.J. Graffanino, 2B - Braves should be motivated to get him to Mississippi after a lost 2019.