Braves: Five Potential 2022 Breakout Prospects — Infielders

Right now, Major League Baseball is in a lockout. However, MILB is not part of the Player’s Union for Major League Baseball, so even if the season is delayed, Minor League Baseball will play on. I’m going to take a look at some potential breakout prospects with the Braves, with this being part one of three. Part two will feature outfielders, and part three will feature pitchers. Of course, these are more under-the-radar prospects, so you won’t see your usual top prospects on this list.

 

Honorable Mention:

1B Mahki Backstrom (ROK)

SS/RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (N/A)

C Tyler Tolve (A)

We’re big Mahki Backstrom fans on this site, and I’m surprised he hasn’t gotten more love as a Top 30 Prospect for the Braves. He had a down 2020, but he’s still only 20 years old and has exceptional raw power. 2021 will be a big year for him. Spencer Schwellenbach’s future may be on the mound, or as a two way player, but he has exceptional ability as a hitter. Unfortunately, he underwent Tommy John surgery after he was drafted by the Braves in June, so we will have to wait on him. Tyler Tolve is a Kennesaw State product, and he had a nice start to his career after also being drafted in June. Behind Shea Langeliers, catcher is pretty thin in this organization, so he will have a chance to shine.

 

1B/3B Justyn-Henry Malloy (A)

One of two Georgia Tech products drafted in 2021 on this list, Malloy looked pretty darn good to start his pro career in Augusta. He’s listed as a First Baseman on Augusta’s website, but he played Third Base at Tech and played a lot of Third in Augusta. Regardless, both positions are pretty thin in Atlanta’s system. The Sixth Round Pick finished 2021 with an .822 OPS over 37 games. Like most college hitters (and most players on this list), they won’t truly be challenged until they reach AA. Malloy will have a shot to start in Rome or Mississippi, but I’d be willing to bet the Braves let him get a few cuts in Augusta before making that move.

 

SS Cal Conley (A)

The Fourth Round Pick out of Texas Tech didn’t have a stellar start to his pro career, only notching a .612 OPS over 35 games. However, Conley did swipe eight bases and hit five doubles, a triple, and two home runs. He only struck out 23% of the time, which isn’t too terrible for a guy who didn’t hit a ton immediately. Still, Conley profiles as a switch hitting utility player, something the Braves have shown that they value a lot. He will get his chances to play, and he’s a candidate to move up to Rome or Mississippi quickly if he can start hitting in 2022.

 

SS Luke Waddell (AA)

Rounding out the college bats drafted in 2021 is Malloy’s teammate at Georgia Tech Luke Waddell. Waddell made it to AA quickly after posting a .952 OPS in Rome. He had an absurd five game stretch in which he posted a 1.887 OPS with five home runs. He came down to earth a bit after his promotion, which is expected with only eight games in AA. If he can have a couple of hot stretches like he did in 2021, he will rise up prospect rankings quickly. There’s a reason the Braves targeted guys like Malloy, Waddell, and Conley — they are productive college bats who can help replenish a farm system quickly with the right coaching.

 

SS Ambioris Tavarez (ROK)

I’ve already talked about Tavarez a bit, and the 18-year-old is the latest International mystery man to enter the fray for the Braves. Atlanta has had a ton of success with international signings over the years, and hopefully, Tavarez is next in line. His raw power, bat speed, and rocket arm are tools that have a lot of scouts watching him closely.

 

SS Vaughn Grisson (A+)

Grissom has already broken out for those who keep up with the Braves farm system, posting an .882 OPS as a 20-year-old in Augusta and Rome. After his promotion to Rome, Grissom turned up the heat over twelve games — slashing .378/.519/.595/1.114 with two home runs and two doubles. He has a real chance of entering Atlanta’s Top Ten prospects if he keeps this up.