When will the Braves Top 10 prospects make their MLB debut?

Over the last month, Jake and I have put together an extensive list of the Braves Top 30 Prospects. We each came up with our own and then averaged it out to create our official 2021 SportTalkATL Braves Top 30 Prospects. In this piece, I’ll focus on the Top 10 and when they will make their MLB debut. Unlike in the past, Atlanta’s prospect depth isn’t as deep in the lower levels, but it’s still loaded at the top with many guys that could make their major league debut as early as this season.

10. Jasseel De La Cruz

Cruz has an outside shot of appearing in 2021, given he’s currently on the 40-man roster. However, I don’t imagine (knock on wood) that the Braves will have as many problems with their starting rotation as they did last year. De La Cruz will likely have to wait until 2022 to debut if they don’t, but I wouldn’t totally count out a spot start this season.

MLB debut: 2022

9. Michael Harris

Harris is the most exciting prospect the Braves have under the age of 20. He impressed so much in 2019 after being drafted out of high school that Atlanta even included him as part of their 60-man taxi squad. Still, he’s ways away from making his major league debut. It will be at least two years before we see him in a Braves uniform.

MLB debut: 2023

8. Tucker Davidson

Davidson made his debut last season, tossing 1.2 innings against the Red Sox. He’ll begin this season in Gwinnett, but he could end up in Atlanta full-time by the end of the year. 

MLB debut: 2020

7. Braden Shewmake

Shewmake is a college bat that thrived in his first stint of professional ball, earning a quick promotion to Mississippi. Had the Braves minor leaguers had a chance to play in 2020, maybe Shewmake would have begun this season in AAA, with an outside shot of making his big-league debut. Now, he will have to wait at least a year.

MLB debut: 2022

6. Shea Langeliers

Langeliers has looked decent in the batter’s box so far in his professional career — even though it has been a small sample size. However, what will get him to the majors early is defense. As long as he can be average with the bat, he should find himself in Atlanta in a couple of years.

MLB debut: 2023

5. William Contreras

The other catcher inside the Braves top-six prospects, Contreras made an emergency MLB debut last season, but he looked way more ready than many expected, going 4-10 while he was up. Given that he doesn’t have any AAA experience, that’s where I expect him to start 2021, but if he mashes with the Stripers, he could be in Atlanta permanently.

MLB debut: 2020

4. Kyle Muller

We didn’t get to see Muller last season, but rumors are that his fastball was hitting triple digits. As long as he can keep his walks down in Gwinnett, he will make his major league debut next season.

MLB debut: 2021

3. Drew Waters

Some might think this is a no-brainer — Drew Waters will make his MLB debut in 2021. While I agree with you, there is a substantial chance he doesn’t as well, especially if the Braves re-sign Marcell Ozuna. Plus, Waters only has one month of AAA experience under his belt; he’ll need to prove he can handle upper-level pitching before the Braves call him up. I think Waters will do just that, and eventually, the Braves will need him, but it is not a guarantee.

MLB debut: 2021

2. Cristian Pache

Pache made his debut this past season and was even asked to start in the NLCS for the injured Adam Duvall. He was splendid in the outfield and delivered his first major-league home run against the Dodgers. Odds are he’s the Braves starting center-fielder on Opening Day, but he’ll have to earn it in spring training.

MLB debut: 2020

1. Ian Anderson

If you don’t know who Ian Anderson is by now, why are you still reading this article? He introduced himself to the world last year, dominating in the regular season before being even better in the playoffs. Anderson will surely start the season in Atlanta and could end up being the Braves #1 for the next decade. 

MLB debut: 2020