The first month of the season has come to an end, and my rankings have shifted a bit. Let’s take a look at the list to see who’s moved up and who’s moved down in my rankings:
- Matt Wisler
- Jose Peraza
- Lucas Sims
- Max Fried
- Mike Foltynewicz (Previous Ranking: 7)
- Christian Bethancourt
- Tyrell Jenkins (Previous Ranking: 8)
- Manny Banuelos (Previous Ranking: 5)
- Rio Ruiz
- Arodys Vizcaino
- Jason Hursh
- Mallex Smith (Previous Ranking: 15)
- Jace Peterson (Previous Ranking: 12)
- Cody Martin (Previous Ranking: 16)
- Dustin Peterson
- Ozhaino Albies (Previous Ranking: 19)
- Jose Briceno (Previous Ranking: 13)
- Braxton Davidson
- Jordan Paroubeck (Previous Ranking: 17)
- Ricardo Sanchez
- Dilmer Mejia
- Alec Grosser
- Tanner Murphy
- Garrett Fulenchek
- Juan Jaime
Trending Up:
The first person to see a big jump in the rankings is Mike Foltynewicz, who has been nothing short of spectacular in his first four starts for AAA Gwinnett, posting a 2.08 ERA alongside 30 K’s and 10 BBs. He is making his first big league start Friday for the Braves, and if can continue to turn heads at the MLB level, he can not only jump a few more spots in my rankings, but earn a permanent spot in Atlanta as well. Moving up a spot is Tyrell Jenkins. Jenkins keeps showing that he’s close to MLB-ready, as he is just killing it in AA Mississippi. He owns a 2.33 ERA in his first four starts. He does need to work on his strikeouts, as he actually has more walks at the moment. (9 BBs, 8 Ks). However, the number don’t lie and Jenkins is showing why he one of the best pitchers in the Cardinals organization. With the injury to Adam Wainwright, one must wonder of the Cardinals regret giving up Jenkins and Shelby Miller, who has been red hot. Mallex Smith moves up a few spots as well, as he has come out of the gate red hot for Atlanta. My Prospect of the Week two weeks ago, Smith owns a .322 batting average in his time the AA Mississippi. The speedster, who was acquired in the Justin Upton trade, led all minor league players with 88 steals last season, and if he can continue to hit for a high average he could be Atlanta’s leadoff man for years to come while occupying Center Field. Cody Martin moves up a couple spots due to his performance out of the bullpen in Atlanta this season. Left unprotected in the Rule 5 Draft, Martin has pitched like a guy with a chip on his shoulder all season, as evidenced by his 2.84 ERA in 11 appearances (16 K’s, 4 BBs). Martin could end up being a sleeper starter candidate by season’s end. Ozhaino Albies moves up a few spots as well, but I think this is more to me under-ranking the kid initially than his actual performance this season. The 18-year old is hitting .273 in Rome, but has sky-high potential. Between his young age and size (5’9”, 150 lbs) Albies is far from Major League ready, but he is definitely deserving of a better ranking, so I bumped him up a few spots.
Trending Down:
When initially making my rankings, I gave Manny Banuelos too much love, mostly because of how highly touted he was a few years ago. I still think Banuelos can crack the Braves rotation one day, but Mike Foltynewicz and Tyrell Jenkins have pitched much better than him. I think his ranking at #8 is a good spot for him until he shows us something. He has been okay for AAA Gwinnett, pitching to a 4.43 ERA in four starts. Jace Peterson moves down a spot as well. He got off to a slow start, but has picked things up a bit the past week. Despite this, he moves down a spot due to Mallex Smith flying up my rankings. I still see Peterson in the same light as before, and let’s face it: we all know Jose Peraza is the Second Baseman of the future for Atlanta anyways. Jose Briceno moves down four spots due to his lackluster play for the Carolina Mudcats. He owns a .146 average to start the season, and the Catcher acquired for David Hale is going to have to earn his way back up my rankings with his play. Jordan Paroubeck moves down the rankings as well, but this is not a reflection on him. I moved up Albies some spots, knocking him down, and even though Braxton Davidson has struggled a bit to begin the season, I think his upside keeps him a spot above Paroubeck, who was acquired in the Craig Kimbrel deal.
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