Trey Harris is determined not to let his draft selection define him. Since being picked in the 32nd round, he’s done nothing but smack baseballs at each level. Harris began the year in Rome where he hit .366 with an OPS of 1.031 in 56 games before being promoted to the Florida Fire Frogs where his OBP sniffed .400 prior to receiving another promotion to AA Mississippi, and the success has followed him.
A native of Powder Springs, Georgia, it was always a dream for him to be selected by his hometown Atlanta Braves – even if he wasn’t taken nearly as high as he expected. In 28 games for Mississippi, Harris is hitting a respectable .286 with a couple of home runs and four doubles. Those numbers aren’t eye-popping; however, they have been negatively affected by a recent 1-13 stretch. Before that, he was hitting .318 for the Braves. Given his age (23-years-old) and experience in the SEC, Harris could find himself in AAA to begin next year, depending on what happens with top prospects like Cristian Pache and Drew Waters, who could be ready to start in Atlanta in 2020.
Braden Shewmake
The #21 overall pick in this year’s draft made quick work of his time in Rome, hitting a ridiculous .318 with 39 RBIs in just 51 games for the Braves. The organization was so impressed they decided to promote him straight to Mississippi, where he has started the last five games. Shewmake has begun slowly in AA but did have his first multi-hit game last night, going 2-3 with two singles and a stolen base. Given how thin the Braves are in their middle infield, he’s a prospect with loads of potential to keep an eye on.
C.J. Alexander
Friend of the podcast, C.J Alexander, went balls to the wall over the railing and fell multiple feet while going for a foul ball yesterday.
How’s baseball going??
Me: pic.twitter.com/ACfK6PRltX— Cj Alexander jr. (@CAlexander_52) August 20, 2019
Luckily, he walked away with just a thumb sprain, but this is indicitave of how 2019 has gone for him. The guy just can’t catch a break. His season was already cut short because of elbow surgery, and he hasn’t been able to find the same mojo he had last year since. Alexander was one of the most talked-about prospects coming into this season after hitting .352 in 52 games over three levels in his first year of professional baseball, and I have no doubt he will be able to bounce back from a forgetful campaign.