Atlanta Braves Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 6 – 15

ALSO SEE – Atlanta Braves Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2010 Prospect Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

Hitters must have 100 or fewer Major League ABs to qualify for this list. Starting pitchers must have 50 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2010. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2009. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

If you need to reach me in any way, please contact me via e-mail or post a comment at the bottom of the page and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. The first two prospects are available for everybody to read.

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Player Grades
Contact – 40 Now | 55 Future
Power – 35 | 55
Discipline – 40 | 55
Speed – 40 | 35
Defense – 50 | 60
Arm – 65 | 65
Instincts – 40 | 55
ETA – 2014 or 2015
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – He has a lean frame…not a great runner, but he’s a good athlete

Scouting Report

You see many teams take a player and put him at catcher because the catcher position has the most value, not because the team thinks there is a truly good shot of that player staying at catcher.

But with Christian Bethancourt, you don’t have that problem. He’s a natural catcher, with a quick release, a plus arm, and a good feel behind the plate. He’s still young, so he still has to work on the intricacies of catching, but more experience should be all he needs.

Bethancourt has good potential with the bat as well. He’s a fly ball and line drive hitter, which should lend itself to more power and a better batting average down the line. As he fills out, he should display more of an ability to drive the ball.

Best Case Outcome – Well above average offensive catcher with plus defense behind the plate

More Likely Outcome – Too soon to say

Player Grades
Fastball – 55 Now | 60 Future
Curveball – 50 | 60
Change-Up – 45 | 55
Control – 35 | 45
Command – 40 | 50
Pitchability – 45 | 55
ETA – Early 2013
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – He’s an athletic 6-foot-3 and a projectable 180 pounds

Stuff

Fastball – Low – mid 90′s with good life…has a darting effect

Curveball – Hammer curve with a big break…struggles to command it, but he’s flashed an ability to throw it for strikes

Change-Up – Maintains fastball arm speed on the pitch and has good fade

Scouting Report

See this article where I take a deeper look at Delgado and his mechanics among other things…

Best Case Outcome – No. 3 starter

More Likely Outcome – Power arm out of the bullpen

Brief Rundown on Prospects 8 – 15

8. Mike Minor | LHP | Grade – B- – An overdraft at No. 7 in the 2009 draft, Minor still has a good control of a deep repertoire of pitches though his upside remains limited

9. Zeke Spruill | RHP | Grade – B- – Projectable righty with good control and solid, but not great stuff…see here for more on Spruill

10. Adam Milligan | OF | Grade – B-/C+ – Strong and athletic outfielder can rake, but needs to work on selectivity at plate…

11. Robinson Lopez | RHP | Grade – C+ – Has the highest upside of the remaining Atlanta prospects…sleeper arm for next season

12. Dimaster Delgado | LHP | Grade – C+ – Put up good numbers at a young age, but scouts question the quality of his stuff…click here for more on Delgado

13. J.J. Hoover | RHP | Grade – C+ – Good command of four average offerings…big numbers, but limited upside

14.Cody Johnson | LF | Grade – C+/C – Strong with plus-plus raw power, but he strikes out at insane levels

15. Brett DeVall | LHP | Grade – C – Lefty having a solid season before going down with an arm injury…some said it was TJ surgery, others said it was simply to remove some bone spurs

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HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order) – Mike Dunn (LHP) | Cole Rohrbough (LHP) | Jose Ortegano (LHP) | David Hale (RHP) | Richard Sullivan (LHP) | Brett Oberholtzer (LHP) | Cory Gearrin (RHP) | Chris Masters (LHP) | Tyler Stovall (LHP) | Caleb Brewer (RHP) | Thomas Berryhill (RHP) | David Francis (RHP) | Brandon HIcks (SS) | Jeff Lyman (RHP) | Scott Diamond (LHP) | Riann Spanjer-Furstenburg(1b) | Cory Rasmus (RHP) | Luis Valdez (RHP)

ALSO SEE – Atlanta Braves Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

UP NEXT – Florida Marlins Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning and Minor League Splits