Braves: Five Potential 2022 Breakout Prospects — Outfielders

MILB is not part of the Player’s Union for Major League Baseball, so even if the season is suspended because of a lockout, Minor League Baseball will continue. In this series, I am taking a look at some potential breakout prospects with the Braves.  This is part two of three. Part one featured infielders, 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. The five infielders are linked below:

 

Braves: Five Potential 2022 Breakout Prospects — Infielders

 

OF Willie Carter (A)

This is a top heavy group, so there aren’t many additional sleepers to mention. However, there’s still some talent in the lower levels. Carter is 24, which is a bit old for Augusta, but he did post a .778 OPS. He could just be a late bloomer, and with guys like Justin Dean and Trey Harris ahead of him, Carter will have a chance to move up quickly.

Justin Dean (AA)

Dean is ranked in Atlanta’s Top 30 via MLB, but he’s 25-years-old and in AA. Still, a .709 OPS with 29 stolen bases in a season isn’t too bad. He could become a utility outfield option for Atlanta down the road.

OF Jesse Franklin V (A+)

I think Franklin has a shot to be a top-ten prospect before the season ends. Part of the stellar 2020 draft class, Franklin posted an .842 OPS with 24 home runs and 19 steals. Eventually, he could rise into the top-100 prospects for all of baseball if he continues this kind of play in the upper minors.

OF Tyler Collins (ROK)

I really loved the Tyler Collins pick in the 2021 draft, and apparently, the Braves did too. Collins is a toolsy outfielder, but he’s only 18-years-old. He has a long way to go, but he has the speed, arm, and bat speed to become an upper echelon prospect like Michael Harris.

OF Christian Robinson (A)

Another 2021 draft class member, Robinson was a standout at Stanford and did a good job of just hitting during his inaugural season. He will have to look to the gaps more; his four doubles, two triples, and home run were encouraging signs to start. Like most college bats, he probably won’t be truly challenged until AA.