Ryan Langerhans

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #14 prospect in 2005
  Langerhans rewarded a faithful core of believers in the Atlanta front office by putting together the most consistent season of his career last year in Triple-A. He ranked among the International League leaders and topped Braves farmhands in runs and on-base percentage. Langerhans always has had a sweet swing from the left side of the plate, with above-average power and the ability to spray line drives to all fields. He also has good speed and is a plus baserunner. With his speed and baseball instincts, Langerhans is one of the best defensive outfielders in the organization as well as one of the most versatile. Add in his plus arm strength, and he should be able to play any of the three outfield positions in the major leagues. Langerhans enters spring training out of options, but the Braves are confident that his versatility and hard-nosed approach will enable him to make the 25-man roster. If he continues to hit, he could push for more than a reserve role. With J.D. Drew departing via free agency and Charles Thomas used in the Tim Hudson trade, Atlanta needs corner outfielders. Declining veterans Brian Jordan and Raul Mondesi are all that stand behind Langerhans and regular playing time.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #25 prospect in 2004
  A year ago, some members of the Atlanta front office said they thought Langerhans would be their next homegrown player to earn a big league starting job. That still could develop, though it's more likely he'll become a reserve in the majors. He's the son of John Langerhans, who once held the University of Texas home run record and coached Ryan at prep power Round Rock High before retiring after the 2003 season. While making cameo appearances with Atlanta in each of the past two seasons, Langerhans has yet to post breakout numbers in the minors. Despite possessing a quick, fundamentally sound swing, he fights paralysis by analysis, trying to figure out what the pitcher is throwing instead of simply seeing the ball and hitting it. Braves manager Bobby Cox loves Langerhans' hard-nosed approach and his steady defense. He gets good jumps on fly balls and has above-average arm strength. Langerhans also has good baseball speed and excellent instincts on the basepaths. Unless he puts together an impressive spring, he'll return to Triple-A in 2004.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #20 prospect in 2003
  The numbers have been slow to come for Langerhans, but he continues to push forward and is closer to the majors than any of the Braves' outfield prospects. He made a one-day cameo in Atlanta on April 28 after B.J. Surhoff blew out his anterior cruciate ligament. Langerhans subsequently battled a knee injury of his own and slumped in Double-A before finishing well in August and in the Arizona Fall League. His defense is unquestioned, as he has the instincts and enough speed for any outfield position and the arm strength to handle right field. He also runs the bases well, works counts to draw walks and projects to hit 20 homers annually. The lone concern is whether he'll hit enough at the major league level, especially after he batted just .184 against lefthanders last year. The Braves say that Langerhans, whose father John was a second-round pick of the Twins in 1968 and was Ryan's high school coach, will be at least an average everyday outfielder in the majors, though he will need at least a full season in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #19 prospect in 2002
  Atlanta officials have differing opinions on Langerhans and his long-term potential. While some in the organization think he won't hit consistently enough to reach the majors, several others are convinced he's on track to be a major league right fielder. Langerhans has been the system's best defensive outfielder since he signed in 1998. He also has one of the strongest outfield arms and possesses the instincts to play any of the three outfield positions. His struggles have come at the plate, as Langerhans failed to hit above .268 in a full-season league prior to batting .287 last year during his second stint at Myrtle Beach. His bat showed signs of blossoming two winters ago in Australia, and he has enough power to hit 20-plus home runs in the major leagues. Langerhans also possesses above-average speed and is a good baserunner. In other words, all five tools of his tools have the potential to be average or better. The Braves are hoping he puts everything together in Double-A this year.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #12 prospect in 2000
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #12 prospect in 1999