re: The ATL Thread 8/4: Killer Whalen won last night. 6:10 CDT V. Pitt

Minter cleaned up that 7th inning mess in a hurry.

He is absolutely nasty.

Damnit Vol we need good news

I thought his pace was fine when I saw him.

Personal updated top 40 prospect rankings that I have posted on another site.

Aaron Blair, Tyrell Jenkins, John Gant, Mauricio Cabrera, and Mallex Smith are no longer ranked becuse they have either exhausted their rookie status, or they will soon.

Kevin Maitan, Abrahan Gutierrez, and Yunio Severino are not ranked because they havent played yet. Maitan would be #1 on the list if we just went by potential. I dont know enough about the other guys to have them ranked anywhere.

1.(1)Dansby Swanson||SS||Mississippi
-Hit bat has been up and down the past month, but he is unquestionably our top prospect. Honestly, I think its time for another challenge for him, and it will probably come in another month.
2.(2)Ozzie Albies||SS||Mississippi
-He's in the same spot as Dansby. He has done enough in AA, and after a rough start, he played well enough in Gwinnett to show his abilities. He should join Swanson in Atlanta this year.
3.(3)Kolby Allard||LHP||Rome
-Allard was placed in Rome, where he had two awful starts. He has since dominated at Danville, and been called back up, and pitched much better. He will probably be shut down soon since he is coming back from back issues, but top of the rotation talent is there.
4.(4)Sean Newcomb||LHP||Mississippi
-He strikes out a batter an inning. His batting average against is .237. He has the stuff to be a very good starter, but his control is still a major red flag, and at his age(23), he is close to being passed by.
5.(5)Mike Soroka||RHP||Rome
-He hasnt even reached the age of 18, and yet, he is pitching well in full season Rome. His passed few starts have not been as great. He might be hitting a wall, since he is hit 100 innings, but he could fly up prospect lists within the next year.
6.(NR)Ian Anderson||RHP||GCL Braves
-The Braves #1 pick this year is starting his career in the Gulf Coast League, and through 15 innings, he hasnt given up a run. Time will tell if we did the right thing by taking him that early, but he definitely has the skill set to be a top of the rotation guy.
7.(7)Max Fried||LHP||Rome
-Fried was definitely rusty after being out for nearly two years, but he has flashed his potential in the past month in only giving up 4 runs in 34 innings. I personally believe he has the most potential out of all the starters. He just needs to stay healthy.
8.(6)Ronald Acuna||CF||Rome
-Acuna, like many other young prospects, is on the DL, but the talent is undeniable. He has 4 very good tools, with power being the only question mark, but at only 18 years old, the power could come.
9.(NR)Joey Wentz||LHP||Danville
-Wentz is another one of our top draft picks this year. He has always graduated the Gulf Coast League, and is now in Danville. He is a huge lefty, with lots of room to grow. His ceiling could be higher than our first pick, Ian Anderson.
10.(13)Touki Toussaint||RHP||Rome
-It has been slow, but Toussaint is finally showing some of the promise that made him a first round pick in 2014. He is still a long ways away, and he needs to get better command, but there looks to be a little light at the end of the tunnel.
11.(9)AJ Minter||LHP||Mississippi
-The closer of the future. Has dominated three levels this year.
12.(17)Dustin Peterson||LF||Mississippi
-Our minor league hitter of the year. He is enjoying a huge breakout season.
13.(NR)Derian Cruz||SS||Danville
-Last years top international signing. Is playing well in his first year with the club.
14.(8)Lucas Sims||RHP||Mississippi
-If you want to know what 40 on the command scale is, watch Sims.
15.(NR)Kyle Muller||LHP||GCL Braves
-The final big name draft pick for the team this year. Another tall, talented lefty.
16.(NR)Travis Demeritte||2B||Carolina
-Showed major power in a hitter friendly league. Strike outs are his downfall.
17.(14)Austin Riley||3B||Rome
-Major power. Very slow swing. Is playing well after a bad two first months.
18.(18)Rio Ruiz||3B||Gwinnett
-Could be a viable option in the majors if he can show any power at all.
19.(12)Chris Ellis||RHP||Gwinnett
-A candidate for the back end of the rotation. Is getting destroyed in AAA.
20.(10)Juan Yepez||3B||Rome
-On the DL after only playing 11 games with Rome this season.
21.(30)Rob Whalen||RHP||Gwinnett
-The top candidate for organization pitcher of the year. Could get a chance in Atlanta.
22.(23)Max Povse||RHP||Mississippi
-A 6'8 righty that needs to add weight. Having somewhat of a breakout year.
23.(20)Manny Banuelos||LHP||Mississippi
-Banuelos will be off this list next year if injuries keep him on the sidelines.
24.(NR)Cristian Pache||OF||Danville
-Our second big international signing last season. Very athletic. Having a good first season.
25.(NR)Brett Cumberland||C||Danville
-Another one of this years draft picks. Good power. Questions of if he can stick as a catcher.
26.(19)Leudys Baez||CF||Rome
-A talented guy that just turned 20, but is having a horrific season in Rome.
27.(16)Isranel Wilson||OF||Danville
-A true 5 tool player that is barely 18 years old. Patience is the key with him.
28.(21)Braxton Davidson||LF||Carolina
-Good news is that he has already hit 32 XBH. The bad is that he is striking out almost 35% of the time.
29.(25)Randy Ventura||OF||GCL Braves
-Maybe the fastest guy in the organization. Only 5'9. Not as much upside.
30.(NR)Patrick Weigel||RHP||Rome
-An awful college career caused him to drop in the draft. Is having one of the best years for starters in the minors.
31.(NR)Pilip Pfeifer||LHP||Mississippi
-Traded to Braves this year. Has the potential to be a dominant specialist out of the bullpen.
32.(27)Ricardo Sanchez||LHP||Rome
-Is playing his second year in Rome, but it isnt going well. Command is his major issue.
33.(NR)Jason Hursh||RHP||Gwinnett
-Was a bust as a starter, but he has really turned it around as a reliever.
34.(NR)Stephen Janas||RHP||Gwinnett
-Was moved to the bullpen this year, and like Hursh, has put in a very nice season.
35.(24)Connor Lien||OF||Mississippi
-Injuries have only allowed him to play in 29 games this year. He was looking to build upon a good season in 2015.
36.(26)Lucas Herbert||C||Rome
-Was injured after two games last year, and it looks like the effects are lingering. Still has potential.
37.(15)Jonathan Morales||C||Rome
-Has been splitting time at catcher with Herbert in Rome. Doesnt have the same upside as Herbert.
38.(NR)Sean Godfrey||OF||Mississippi
-Injuries have kept him off the field since May. Was another guy looking to have a breakout season.
39.(NR)Akeel Morris||RHP||Mississippi
-The Braves got him from the Mets this year. He has the chance to make a difference in the pen.
40.(NR)Luke Dykstra||2B||Rome
-He doesnt hit for power. He doesnt walk, but he still gets on base. Hard nosed like his father.

Tyrell really has to get rid of the walks