Braves: SportsTalkATL’s Top 20 Prospect Rankings — 5-1

This concludes our list of the Braves top 20 prospects. If you want to check out the previous editions, click the links below:

• Braves: SportsTalkATL’s Top 20 Prospect Rankings — 20-16
• Braves: SportsTalkATL’s Top 20 Prospect Rankings — 15-11
• Braves: SportsTalkATL’s Top 20 Prospect Rankings — 10-6

 

5. OF Drew Waters (AAA)

While there’s still a lot of swing-and-miss in Waters’ game, you can’t deny that he’s a true five-tool talent with impressive ability to hit to the gaps. Waters has a ton of bat speed, and this should help him develop as a true power threat as he moves up the system. He isn’t quite ready to make the jump to the majors yet, but if he can cut down on the strikeouts, he’ll be one of the best players on the entire roster and a true weapon for the Braves going forward.

4. LHP Kyle Muller (AAA)

Even though he had some control issues in the majors last year, Kyle Muller showed what makes him such an intriguing prospect going into 2022. Muller is a big lefty with a hard fastball and nasty hook, something that any organization should be intrigued by. His delivery allows for a lot of deception, and his heater will get on hitters in a hurry. I expect Muller to get some burn with the Braves in 2022 if he isn’t traded.

3. OF Cristian Pache (AAA)

I’m not giving up on Cristian Pache just because of a few bad games. He struggled at the plate at times, but he’s still only 23-years-old and has loads of potential. His bat started to come around at the end of the year, and his defense was impressive as always. I think Pache bounces back in 2022.

2. C Shea Langeliers (AA)

It was hard to decide between second and first place, but Shea Langeliers absolutely deserves one of the top two spots. On top of having one of the most impressive pop times in all of baseball (not just the minors), he clubbed 22 home runs on the way to an .833 OPS in 2021. If he can give the Stripers that type of production in 2022 (when he gets the call), he won’t be there for long.

1. OF Michael Harris (AA)

Harris takes the top spot just based on potential alone, even if his production in years prior wasn’t as incredible as it was. Harris can truly do it all, and if he develops his power even further, he’s going to be one of the best prospects in all of baseball — not just Atlanta. 2022 is a big year for him; if he can make a splash in Mississippi and Gwinnett, Braves fans could see the 20-year-old in September. I’m willing to bet he starts the season off on a nuclear pace and earns a promotion before June.

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