Close Article Return to stream X
MLB •

Ranking the Atlanta Braves’ Top 5 Prospects Heading Into 2016

+Read full article
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Ranking the Atlanta Braves' Top 5 Prospects Heading Into 2016

Atlanta Braves Logo
Reinhold Matay - USATODAY Sports

Through a series of deals over the past year, including the recent trade of Andrelton Simmons, the Atlanta Braves have transformed the look of their farm system. Atlanta has been able to add a few quality prospects they are hoping will help during what is a massive rebuilding project. Here is a look at the Braves' top five prospects heading into 2016.

5. Manny Banuelos, Pitcher

Manny Banuelos Braves
Brad Mills - USATODAY Sports

5. Manny Banuelos, Pitcher

Manny Banuelos Braves
Brad Mills - USATODAY Sports

Banuelos missed most of 2012 and 2013 with Tommy John surgery, but he has done well to bounce back and ended up making his big league debut in 2015. He has a good fastball and a nice set of secondary pitches, which should be enough to keep him in a big league rotation long term. Banuelos struggled in six big league starts last year, but with that experience under his belt, he should be better in 2016 and a reliable part of Atlanta's rotation.

4. Kolby Allard, Pitcher

Fredi Gonzalez Braves
Jason Getz - USATODAY Sports

4. Kolby Allard, Pitcher

Fredi Gonzalez Braves
Jason Getz - USATODAY Sports

Allard won't be in Atlanta any time soon, as the Braves took the 18-year-old in the first round of the 2015 draft. He threw just six professional innings in 2015, but he was dominant in rookie ball in those six innings. Allard has two plus pitches, a mid-90s fastball and a great curveball, which is a far better repertoire than most left-handed pitchers. It'll take a few years for Allard to grow into a big leaguer, but his ceiling is quite high.

3. Touki Toussaint, Pitcher

Touki Toussaint Arizona
Reid Compton - USATODAY Sports

3. Touki Toussaint, Pitcher

Touki Toussaint Arizona
Reid Compton - USATODAY Sports

The Braves acquired Toussaint in a trade this summer after Arizona drafted him in the first round in 2014. He's incredibly raw and unpolished, even for a 19-year-old, but he's an incredible athlete. So once he learns how to pitch he should be able to repeat his delivery and be consistent with his pitches, which include a plus fastball and a plus curveball. It'll be a few years, but Toussiant gives the Braves another pitcher with a high ceiling.

2. Ozhaino Albies, Shortstop

Ozhaino Albies
Ozhaino Albies Official Facebook Page

2. Ozhaino Albies, Shortstop

Ozhaino Albies
Ozhaino Albies Official Facebook Page

With Andrelton Simmons being traded, the Braves have a long-term opening at shortstop, and Albies could end up being Atlanta's shortstop of the future. He's a great singles and doubles hitter, with the patience to get on base at a high rate, as well as the speed to steal bases and hit a few triples. Albies also has the tools to be a major league shortstop, and he could be playing that role for the Braves in another couple years.

1. Sean Newcomb, Pitcher

Sean Newcomb Braves
Matt Kartozian - USATODAY Sports

1. Sean Newcomb, Pitcher

Sean Newcomb Braves
Matt Kartozian - USATODAY Sports

Newcomb was the central figure in the trade for Simmons and figures to be at the top of Atlanta's rotation before too long. He has ideal size for a starting pitcher and has a blazing fastball, two traits that are difficult to find in left-handed pitchers. He's still more than a year away from the big leagues, but if his secondary stuff can continue to develop, he should be a key part of Atlanta's rotation at some point in 2017.

Bryan Zarpentine is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
Your Favorites
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
MLB• Videos•

Cubs and Braves Should Make This Blockbuster Trade

The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves can both accomplish what they are currently trying to accomplish with this trade. The Cubs continue to build towards winning a World Series, while the Braves continue to build towards a strong future by stock piling prospects. Win-Win.

Comment 0 Comments