Former Top Prospects Carried Astros, Braves To 2021 MLB World Series

Not every prospect becomes a major leaguer, but every major leaguer was once a prospect.

In the cases of the Astros and Braves, they relied heavily on top prospects becoming impact big leaguers to carve their paths to the 2021 World Series.

A combined 49 of the 52 players on World Series rosters this year ranked in at least one Baseball America Prospect Handbook before graduating to the major leagues. They include a multitude of top draft picks, including No. 1 overall picks Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson, and big dollar international signees such as Yuli Gurriel and Jorge Soler. 

For both teams, homegrown cores set the foundation for their success. Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, second baseman Ozzie Albies and third baseman Austin Riley were all homegrown, as was rigthander starter Ian Anderson. The Braves acquired Swanson and lefthander Max Fried in the low minors in trades and developed them through their system. Even Game 1 starter Charlie Morton was originally drafted by the Braves, although he last pitched for the team in 2008 before signing with Atlanta as a free agent prior to this season. 

For the Astros, the infield of first baseman Yuli Gurriel, second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa and third baseman Alex Bregman has never played anywhere else, with Gurriel and Altuve signing as international free agents and Correa and Bregman being drafted with Nos. 1 and 2 overall picks, respectively. That infield has played 50 postseason games together, more than any other infield in major league history. The Astros homegrown influence is not limited strictly to that infield, however. Outfielder Kyle Tucker is another homegrown star who was a top draft pick (No. 5 overall in 2016) and their projected Games 1, 2 and 3 starters were all signed out of Latin America. In all, the Astros had the most homegrown roster of any team in the postseason this year.

Here is a breakdown of all the players in the World Series who ranked in a BA Prospect Handbook, including the years they ranked and which teams they ranked for.

ATLANTA BRAVES

 

Player	Position	Team(s)	Years Ranked
Ian Anderson	RHP	Braves	2017-2021
Jesse Chavez	RHP	Rangers/Pirates	2006-07
Max Fried	LHP	Padres/Braves	2013-18
Luke Jackson	RHP	Rangers/Braves	2011-17
Dylan Lee	LHP	Never Ranked	N/A
Chris Martin	RHP	Never Ranked	N/A
Tyler Matzek	LHP	Rockies	2010-14
A.J. Minter	LHP	Braves	2017-18
Charlie Morton	RHP	Braves	2004-05
Will Smith	LHP	Angels/Royals	2009-10, 2012
Drew Smyly	LHP	Tigers	2011-12
Kyle Wright	RHP	Braves	2018-20
Travis d’Arnaud	C	Phillies/Blue Jays/Mets	2008-14
William Contreras	C	Braves	2018-21
Ozzie Albies	2B	Braves	2015-17
Freddie Freeman	1B	Braves	2008-11
Austin Riley	3B	Braves	2016-19
Dansby Swanson	SS	D-backs/Braves	2016-17
Ehire Adrianza	UTIL	Giants	2009-14
Orlando Arcia	UTIL	Brewers	2012-16
Adam Duvall	OF	Giants	2012-13, 2015
Terrance Gore	OF	Royals	2014
Guillermo Heredia	OF	Mariners	2017
Joc Pederson	OF	Dodgers	2011-15
Eddie Rosario	OF	Twins	2011-15
Jorge Soler	OF	Cubs	2013-15

HOUSTON ASTROS

Player	Position	Team(s)	Years Ranked
Luis Garcia	RHP	Astros	2018, 2020- 2021
Yimi Garcia	RHP	Dodgers	2014-15
Kendall Graveman	RHP	Athletics	2015
Zack Greinke	RHP	Royals	2003-2004
Cristian Javier	RHP	Astros	2018, 2020
Phil Maton	RHP	Padres	2016-17
Jake Odorizzi	RHP	Brewers/Royals/Rays	2009-2014
Ryan Pressly	RHP	Never Ranked	N/A
Brooks Raley	LHP	Cubs	2010-2011
Ryne Stanek	RHP	Rays	2014-15, 2017
Blake Taylor	LHP	Pirates/Astros	2014, 2021
Jose Urquidy	RHP	Astros	2017, 2020
Framber Valdez	LHP	Astros	2018-19
Martin Maldonado	C	Brewers	2012
Jason Castro	C	Astros	2009-10
Jose Altuve	2B	Astros	2011
Alex Bregman	3B	Astros	2016
Carlos Correa	SS	Astros	2013-15
Yuli Gurriel	1B	Astros	2017
Aledmys Diaz	INF/OF	Cardinals	2015-16
Marwin Gonzalez	INF/OF	Astros	2012
Michael Brantley	OF	Brewers/Indians	2008-10
Chas McCormick	OF	Astros	2021
Jose Siri	OF	Reds/Mariners	2017-20
Kyle Tucker	OF	Astros	2016-19
Yordan Alvarez	DH	Astros	2017-19