By: Tim Childers (@1788sports, @childers1788)
As we head towards the end of another Atlanta Braves season, we get to look back and analyze how they have progressed. While the Braves have been out of contention for quite a while, they will use the last month of the season to prepare for the 2018 season. While players like Freddie Freeman and Ender Inciarte have their positions locked down for the foreseeable future, there are a few positions where there could be some tight competition in the coming months. Here are five young players to look out for during September call ups.
Akeel Morris-RP
While the starting rotation has had some improvement over last year, the relief corps has been extremely unreliable. Aside from a few pitchers, the bullpen has struggled mightily. Akeel Morris is a promising young relief prospect who should become a vital part of the Braves bullpen going forward. Acquired in the Mets trade for Kelly Johnson in 2015, Morris has been very good in his limited time in the majors, and his demotion to AAA Gwinnett was a bit of a head scratcher by Braves management. With how well he's been performing, Morris should have a solid chance of making the 2018 opening day roster.
Luiz Gohara-SP
Gohara was acquired in the Mallex Smith trade before the 2017 season. He is one of the many former top prospects who have excelled in the Braves farm system after stagnating in their former farm system. Gohara has developed rapidly since coming over, rising from High-A Florida to AAA Gwinnett in less than a season. Gohara and Max Fried seem like the logical players to fight for the fifth spot in the braves rotation, so impressing in September will go a long way in deciding Gohara’s future with the Braves.
Max Fried-SP
Max Fried was a highly touted prospect that came over from the Padres in the Justin Upton trade, but has stagnated due to a lot of injury trouble including tommy john in 2015. Fried has been used previously as a reliever but that seems to be just to get him acclimated to the major leagues, as he profiles as a starting pitcher with a lot of potential. If he can stay healthy, he will fight with Gohara for the final spot in the Braves rotation.
Dustin Peterson-LF
Dustin Peterson was another part of the Upton trade. The power hitting outfield prospect from Gilbert, Arizona had a solid 2016 season, where he had a .282 BA with 12 homers and 88 RBI’s at AA Mississippi. He was looking to build on the solid season in AAA Gwinnett but was derailed by a hand injury suffered in spring training. Peterson has had a down year following his recovery but could serve as a serviceable bench option as a 4th outfielder. His presence would also provide the Braves with the ability to give Matt Kemp some rest, who still is clearly not back to full health. Peterson would be the most obvious choice to fill Kemp’s spot if and when the Braves can trade him.
Ronald Acuna-RF
The most tantalizing potential call up also happens to be the least likely. Acuna is in the running to be the top prospect in all of baseball after a video game-esque season split between High-A Florida, AA Mississippi, and AAA Gwinnett. The 19 year old from La Guaira, Venezuela has only hit .324 with a .891 ops, 20 home runs and 44 stolen bases. He has only continued to improve as he has moved up the Braves farm system, but dont expect to see him up unless Kemp or Markakis gets injured. Acuna is set to headline the set of Braves players in the Arizona Fall League, so expect the Braves to try and move one of the corner outfielders before the start of next season.
All Statistics via Baseball-Reference.com
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