Atlanta Braves

TRACK RECORD: An athletic, two-way player out of Stockbridge High just south of Atlanta, Harris preferred hitting and the Braves liked his upside enough to draft him in the third round as a position player. After showing exciting tools in 2019, Harris spent 2020 at the alternate training site working to improve his offensive approach.

SCOUTING REPORT: Harris faced some of the team's top pitching prospects at the alternate site and impressed with the quality of his at-bats. He has above-average power potential and a chance to be an above-average hitter as well, though he has holes in his swing he will need to close against upper-level pitching. A solid athlete who is an above-average runner underway, Harris has spent most of his time in center and right field. He ultimately projects to be a right fielder with plenty of arm strength for the position.

THE FUTURE: Harris is one of the organization's most exciting lower-level prospects. He is slated to begin 2021 at one of the Class A levels.

TRACK RECORD: The Braves acquired Ynoa in a 2017 trade with the Twins that sent lefthander Jaime Garcia and catcher Anthony Recker to Minnesota. Ynoa progressed through the minors quickly after joining the Braves and appeared in the majors each of the last two seasons as both a starter and a reliever. He made nine appearances during the 2020 season with shaky results, but came up big with four shutout innings of relief against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLCS.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ynoa has a three-pitch mix topped by a fastball that sits in the 95-96 mph range. His fastball has a low spin rate that limits his ability to get whiffs up in the zone, but it does allow him to get grounders at an above-average rate. Ynoa backs it up with a slider that averages 86 mph and a changeup in the same velocity band. All three of his pitches are at least average offerings. His slider is his best as a plus pitch with downward bite. Ynoa's biggest challenge will be to improve his below-average command and control. He frequently misses the strike zone and will need to execute his pitches more consistently.

THE FUTURE: Ynoa's pitch mix is that of a back-of-the-rotation starter, but his control makes it more likely he ends up a reliever. Either way, he'll play a role for the Braves in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: A late-bloomer who signed for a $55,000 bonus out of the Dominican Republic, De la Cruz hit his stride in pro ball and showed he could succeed as a starter against upper-level competition at Double-A Mississippi in 2019. The Braves brought him to the alternate training site in 2020 and called him up to the majors in September, although he didn't appear in a game before being sent back down.

SCOUTING REPORT: De la Cruz has two loud offerings, including a plus-plus fastball that sat 97 mph and touched 100 mph at the alternate site. He pairs it with a hard, vertical slider that earns above-average to plus grades. De la Cruz will need to improve his fastball command to fully optimize the two-pitch tandem. He throws strikes but doesn't have the command to pinpoint the ball, largely due to his long arm action in the back of his delivery. He has made strides in the control department, giving some hope he could remain a starter. He's made progress with his changeup to give him a usable third offering.

THE FUTURE: De la Cruz has had success as a starter, but most scouts think he'd be best suited as a reliever. He'll open 2021 in Triple-A.

TRACK RECORD: The Braves' 2016 minor league pitcher of the year, Weigel had Tommy John surgery the following year and missed most of 2018 as well. He returned in 2019 with a solid season at Triple-A Gwinnett and saw his stuff return to its pre-injury form. The Braves brought Weigel to the alternate training site in 2020 and called him up for his major league debut on Sept. 4, although Weigel struggled with two hits, two runs and three walks allowed in two-third of an inning against the Nationals.

SCOUTING REPORT: Weigel's fastball typically sits around 95 mph and has touched 97-98. The pitch is solid-average in longer stints with good carry and running life and can be a plus offering in shorter outings. Weigel worked to reshape his slider into a sweepier pitch with more horizontal break at the alternate site. If the changes hold, the Braves believe Weigel's slider will get more swings and misses and have one of the best sliders in the system. Weigel also throws an average changeup to give him the needed third pitch to start, but his control is fringy.

THE FUTURE: Weigel fits best as a swingman or multi-inning reliever with his stuff playing up in shorter outings. He should be ready to help the Braves pitching staff in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Hernandez spent two seasons pitching for Pinar Del Rio in Cuba's major league, Serie Nacional, and signed with the Braves for $190,000 in 2017. He spent 2019 as the closer at high Class A Florida and got back on the field in 2020 during instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez has some of the most electric stuff in the Braves system. He pitches with a powerful fastball/slider combination out of the bullpen, with his heater consistently in the 96-99 mph range and his slider a plus weapon. Hernandez had the highest swinging strike rate in the Florida State League among pitchers who threw at least 50 innings and the fifth-highest in all of high Class A. What holds Hernandez back is his control, which was below-average in the FSL and downright troubling when he walked 10 batters in 11.1 innings in the Arizona Fall League. The Braves were impressed with how polished he looked at instructional league, so the hope is he has taken a step forward. He has the demeanor, mentality and stuff to pitch in high-leverage situations.

THE FUTURE: Hernandez is one of the Braves' better relief prospects. He has late-game potential.

TRACK RECORD: Elder spent his freshman year as a reliever at Texas before moving into the rotation as a sophomore. He quickly became one of the Longhorns' top starters and was off to a dominant start in 2020 before the season shut down. The Braves drafted him in the fifth round and signed him for an above-slot $847,500 bonus.

SCOUTING REPORT: Elder has a solid three-pitch mix and throws lots of strikes. He throws his sinking fastball in the 88-93 mph range and his above-average slider is his out pitch. He also mixes in a solid changeup. While other pitchers have more stuff, Elder is a safer bet to remain a starter. He has an advanced feel for pitching and the Braves love his ability to manipulate the baseball. They think he can successfully add a four-seam fastball and curveball to his arsenal to develop a vertical pitch profile in addition to his current horizontal sinker/slider profile. Elder avoids damage by inducing lots of groundouts and is a smart pitcher who knows what to throw in what situations.

THE FUTURE: Elder has a chance to be back-of-the-rotation starter. His pro debut awaits in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Jackson's won BA's High School Player of the Year Award and was the sixth overall pick in 2014, but he flopped in the Mariners' system and was traded to the Braves after the 2016 season for Max Povse and Rob Whalen. The Braves moved Jackson from the outfield to catcher, his original position, and he began to regain his footing. He made his major league debut in 2019 and returned to Atlanta in 2020, albeit for just five games.

SCOUTING REPORT: Jackson's loudest tool is his raw power. He hits titanic home runs in batting practice and earns the occasional 80 grade, but he doesn't get to it in games. Jackson is a prolific free swinger who strikes out frequently and is a bottom-of-the-scale hitter. He rarely makes contact, but hits the ball hard when he does. Jackson has improved dramatically as a defender over the last few years and now has a chance to be solid-average behind the plate. His framing metrics are good and his plus arm strength allowed him to throw out 50% of basestealers at Triple-A Gwinnett in 2019.

THE FUTURE: Jackson's improved defense and raw power give him a chance to be a backup catcher. He won't be more unless his hitting ability improves dramatically.

TRACK RECORD: The Braves may have found a late-round gem in Ball. The 24th-round pick hit .329/.395/.628 in his pro debut across the Rookie-level Appalachian and low Class A South Atlantic leagues in 2019. The Braves brought Ball to the alternate training site in 2020, where he asserted himself as one of the top power hitters in the system.

SCOUTING REPORT: With a hulking, 6-foot-6, 240-pound frame, Ball has plus-plus raw power and pairs it with solid plate discipline and a clean lefthanded swing. He needs to prove he can hit upper-level pitching and keep his strikeout rate in check, but in a system light on true power hitters, Ball tops the list in terms of home run potential. Ball worked to improve his defense at first base at the alternate site. He played the position sparingly in college and remains raw around the bag.

THE FUTURE: Ball's upside is all in his bat. He'll try to show his debut wasn't a mirage in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Vodnik was the first player drafted out of Rialto (Calif.) High since Ricky Nolasco in 2001. He was plenty raw, but the Braves signed him for an above-slot $200,000 because of his natural arm strength. After a rough pro debut, Vodnik posted a 2.93 ERA in 23 appearances for low Class A Rome in 2019, working mostly in long relief. The Braves brought him to the alternate training site late in 2020 and included him in instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Vodnik is undersized but strong. He fires an above-average fastball that sits at 94 mph and touches 98. His breaking ball is slurvy, looking more like a slider some days and like a curveball on others. He shows natural ability to spin the ball, but developing a more consistent shape will be key moving forward. Vodnik made progress with a changeup that previously lacked consistency at the alternate site. He'll need a reliable third pitch if he wants to start. His control was a question mark when he was drafted, but he's kept his walks reasonable so far in his pro career.

THE FUTURE: Vodnik likely ends up a hard-throwing reliever. Some believe he might be able to start.

TRACK RECORD: Tarnok was a two-way player in high school the Braves drafted as a pitcher. For someone new to pitching full-time, he held his own in his full-season debut at low Class A Rome but hit a wall with a 4.87 ERA in 19 starts at high Class A Florida in 2019. Tarnok spent 2020 working out remotely at a facility in Florida. He did not participate in instructional league after he dropped a weight on his foot and broke a toe.

SCOUTING REPORT: Tarnok spent the summer working to get a better feel for his delivery. His fastball previously peaked at 95 mph but ran up to 99 mph in bullpen sessions during his remote workouts. His changeup is one of the best in the Braves system and he throws it with confidence to both lefties and righties. Tarnok is still working to settle on a breaking ball. He has toyed with both a curveball and a slider and Braves officials prefer his slider at the moment. Tarnok has steadily improved his control each year, but it's still fringe-average.

THE FUTURE: Tarnok has progressed but needs to show it will hold. He'll see Double-A in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Woods was a low-profile prospect out of Dyersburg (Tenn.) JC in 2018, signing for just $125,000 as a 23rd-round pick. After struggling in his debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, Woods' velocity ticked up in 2019 and again in 2020, when he impressed Braves officials at the alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: In a year when it was hard for any prospect to enhance his stock, Woods was one of the biggest risers in Atlanta's system. By filling out a frame that's now 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Woods' fastball has climbed into the mid-to-high 90s. The pitch has solid carry and plays well alongside a hard slider that has a chance to be above-average. His third pitch is a changeup that is still developing but shows promise Woods will need to improve his control. He's walked 4.9 batters per nine innings over his minor league career and is a below-average strike-thrower overall.

THE FUTURE: The Braves have split Woods between starting and relieving. With his velocity gains, he's a potential breakout candidate for 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Grissom showed an intriguing set of tools in high school and was seen by scouts frequently as a teammate of eventual Tigers first-round pick Riley Greene. The Braves liked his upside enough to draft him in the 11th round and gave him an above-slot $347,500 bonus. Grissom impressed in a solid pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, and the Braves brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Grissom has an advanced offensive game with solid bat-to-ball skills and a good feel for the strike zone. He makes plenty of contact and could develop solid-average or better power as he continues to add strength to his 6-foot-3 frame and learns to elevate the ball. Scouts noted his swing sometimes flattened out in high school and he hit the ball on the ground nearly half the time in his pro debut. Currently a shortstop, Grissom will play both third and second base in 2021 to try and develop some defensive versatility. He has solid hands and arm strength, but his range is stretched at shortstop.

THE FUTURE: The Braves hope Grissom turns into a contact hitter with some power who can play around the infield. He'll make his full-season debut in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Franklin was the headliner of Michigan's 2017 recruiting class. He led the team in homers, slugging and RBIs as a freshman and carried the team to the College World Series finals as a sophomore. Franklin didn't play in 2020 due to a broken collarbone, but the Braves still drafted him in the third round and signed him for $497,500.

SCOUTING REPORT: Franklin has a solid all-around game and outstanding baseball instincts. He takes a professional approach at the plate and competes in the box, and Braves officials were happy with how he performed at the alternate training site after signing. He has solid power potential and hit double-digit home runs at Michigan in both of his full seasons. Franklin can play all three outfield positions. He's a slightly above-average runner with an excellent first step and takes good routes to the ball. A fringe-average arm might make him best suited for left field.

THE FUTURE: Franklin projects a solid contributor in the outfield. His pro debut awaits in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: Kalich transferred to Texas A&M from Blinn (Texas) JC and struck out 13.5 batters per nine in the Aggies' bullpen in 2019. The Braves liked his stuff in relief and drafted him in the fourth round. Kalich posted a 1.31 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 20.2 innings at low Class A Rome in an impressive pro debut.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kalich overwhelms hitters with a powerful two-pitch combination. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and reaches 98 mph. His slider is firm enough that some evaluators label it a cutter. Both pitches have above-average potential. Kalich has worked on a curveball and changeup, but he doesn't rely much on either of those pitches. He dominated despite below-average control in his pro debut and will need to improve against higher-level hitters.

THE FUTURE: Kalich has the stuff to pitch in late relief. He'll get there if his control improves.

TRACK RECORD: After struggling his first three seasons at Missouri, Harris hit .316/.413/.516 in a breakout senior season in 2018. The Braves drafted him in the 32nd round and gave him a $10,000 bonus. Harris has continued to hit in pro ball. He owns a .317/.395/.480 career slash line in two seasons between the Class A levels and Double-A.

SCOUTING REPORT: Harris has a fringe-average hit tool and solid power potential. He is an aggressive hitter who doesn't walk much, but he has a great feel to square up fastballs. Most of his power goes to his pull side, though he has the strength to use the opposite field as well. Harris will need to monitor his weight and could slow down to an average or fringy runner. His average arm plays better in left field than right. Braves officials believe he's a better defender than he gets credit for.

THE FUTURE: Harris is set to start back at Double-A in 2021. It will be a good test to see if he can handle upper-level pitching.

TRACK RECORD: Jenista hit .318/.430/.487 at Wichita State and was the MVP of the Cape Cod League prior to his junior year, leading the Braves to draft him 49th overall. Jenista faced doubts in college whether his big raw power would translate in games, and those concerns have become realized as a pro. He reached Double-A in his first full season but posted a .349 slugging percentage.

SCOUTING REPORT: Jensita has worked with minor league hitting coach Mike Bard to improve his swing mechanics and find consistency at the plate. He previously tinkered constantly with his swing, so finding a setup he's comfortable and confident with heading into the 2021 season will be critical. Jenista does have plus raw power to his pull-side and the opposite field, but he needs to find a way to access it more consistently. Defensively, Jenista is adequate in a corner outfield spot and has also spent time at first base. He's a solid runner now but could slow down with his large frame.

THE FUTURE: Jenista will head back to Double-A in 2021. Finding a swing that can access his power is his main goal.

TRACK RECORD: Brown's father, Kevin, had a seven-year career as a backup catcher. Logan signed with the Braves as a 35th-round pick out of Division II Southern Indiana and has begun following in his father's footsteps. He spent his first full season at the Class A levels and hit just one home run, but his defense stood out and the Braves brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brown's defense is his calling card. He's a strong receiver who pitchers love throwing to and who does everything teams want to see defensively. He has solid, reliable hands and can frame pitches, block and call a solid game. He has easy plus arm strength and threw out 40 percent of basestealers in his pro debut. Brown leaves much to be desired offensively. He's a ground ball hitter with some contact skills, but offers very little impact and does not control the strike zone.

THE FUTURE: Brown's defense is good enough to give him a shot at being a backup catcher. His offense will need to improve for him to get even there.

TRACK RECORD: After two seasons at San Joaquin Delta (Calif.) JC, Philip transferred to Oregon State and hit .312 while playing a solid shortstop. The Braves drafted him 60th overall in 2019 and signed him an under-slot $697,500 bonus. Philip hit .193 in an underwhelming pro debut and got back on the field in instructional league in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Philip is a defense-first shortstop with utility tools but a light bat. He pairs reliable hands with good footwork and has solid range to both sides defensively. He particularly excels on plays up the middle. He has plus arm strength and reached 95 mph on the mound as a pitcher in junior college. Philip showed less contact ability in his pro debut than he did in college but has always struggled against breaking stuff. He has well below-average raw power and doesn't project to add more to a small frame.

THE FUTURE: Philip will be exposed to second and third base in 2021 to prepare for a potential utility role. He'll aim for a bounceback year at the plate at the Class A levels.

TRACK RECORD: A relatively unknown prospect in high school, the Braves were one of the only teams on Paolini but liked his raw tools. They took him in the fifth round in 2019 and gave him a $597,500 bonus to forgo an Elon commitment. Paolini hit just .192 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in his pro debut and went to instructional league in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Paolini has just 35 professional games under his belt in pro ball and is still something of an unknown, but he has a strong collection of tools. He has plus speed and a projectable, 6-foot-2 frame that could allow him to grow into average power. He'll need plenty of time and patience to get to that power. His swing has some moving parts, including a big leg kick, that create timing issues. He does have solid bat speed and is a patient hitter. Paolini has the speed to handle center field, but the Braves have exposed him in all three outfield positions

THE FUTURE: Paolini has the tools to dream on an everyday player, but he needs plenty of at-bats to develop his offensive game. He'll make his full season debut in 2020.