Listened to a Hammer Territory podcast on how the IFA sanctions and the 2021/2022 class hasn't been great. I remember they signed a lot of infielders in that class.
Perhaps the solution is to draft a college SS on day 1 of the 2025 draft, but I fear another Shewmake. Also it would take 2-3 seasons before that player would debut if they successfully climbed the minor league ladder. I also just don't like to be pigeonholed into picking a certain type of player, rather going for BPA and upside.
My guess is it's probably a trade for Story if he bounces back or trading for a SS prospect in the Top 100 who's blocked.
Yeah, I went into the future of SS a bit more on the accompanying podcast - they don't draft high enough for a fast-moving college SS and any prep kid is on the same timeline as the IFAs like Gil, etc so it doesn't take care of the problem for 2026.
Not a great place to be, but I'd still like them to infuse some more talent into the position player side of the org either way.
I concur. That's the only major flaw to the roster. With that said, I will add that the Braves could not comfortably trade for a solid SS prospect without a Baldwin or AJSS going the other way. Both of those players seem pretty important to the 2025 season and beyond.
At this point, we need to see the Braves farm system make a breakthrough in the rankings, while also ensuring the rotation is relatively secure to afford parting with pitching prospects.
Sale (FA 25 + club 2026) - ext. candidate
Strider (FA 28 + club 2029)
Schwellenbach (FA 29?)
Lopez (FA 28)
---
Smith-Shawver (FA 30?)- need to see him emerge. Elder, Waldrep and Anderson also fit in this bucket.
Really pounded the table for Cooper Pratt couple of drafts back. Wouldn’t reach for a SS in the draft but if a Houston slides then run to the podium. Trade seems the only realistic way out of this mess short term. I probably would have kicked the tires on Lux
I also wanted Pratt. But I wanted him instead of Hackenburg because I didn't like the pick at the time. I liked Kuehler better.
I was very wrong about Hackenburg, but also understood drafting for arms. The rotation looked pretty empty beyond Strider after Fried and Morton were gone. (this was before Sale, Lopez were Braves at the time of the 2023 draft and Schwellenbach was still in A ball).
Arcia might be my least favorite Braves player ever. The second half of his “All-Star” season was atrocious and his playoff numbers the last two years were even worse.
He lost me during the Phillies series, in Philly. He was humiliated by Harper and blew a couple of RISP opportunities. Yet through it all, during the final game of series, he’s in the dugout giggling and trying to play grab ass with Ronald, Ozzie and Ozuna.
He routinely shows no fight, no focus, no concentration, no seriousness and his approach at the plate speaks for itself.
Thank you for posting statistical proof that keeping him on this team is a terrible idea.
Listened to a Hammer Territory podcast on how the IFA sanctions and the 2021/2022 class hasn't been great. I remember they signed a lot of infielders in that class.
Perhaps the solution is to draft a college SS on day 1 of the 2025 draft, but I fear another Shewmake. Also it would take 2-3 seasons before that player would debut if they successfully climbed the minor league ladder. I also just don't like to be pigeonholed into picking a certain type of player, rather going for BPA and upside.
My guess is it's probably a trade for Story if he bounces back or trading for a SS prospect in the Top 100 who's blocked.
Yeah, I went into the future of SS a bit more on the accompanying podcast - they don't draft high enough for a fast-moving college SS and any prep kid is on the same timeline as the IFAs like Gil, etc so it doesn't take care of the problem for 2026.
Not a great place to be, but I'd still like them to infuse some more talent into the position player side of the org either way.
I concur. That's the only major flaw to the roster. With that said, I will add that the Braves could not comfortably trade for a solid SS prospect without a Baldwin or AJSS going the other way. Both of those players seem pretty important to the 2025 season and beyond.
At this point, we need to see the Braves farm system make a breakthrough in the rankings, while also ensuring the rotation is relatively secure to afford parting with pitching prospects.
Sale (FA 25 + club 2026) - ext. candidate
Strider (FA 28 + club 2029)
Schwellenbach (FA 29?)
Lopez (FA 28)
---
Smith-Shawver (FA 30?)- need to see him emerge. Elder, Waldrep and Anderson also fit in this bucket.
Really pounded the table for Cooper Pratt couple of drafts back. Wouldn’t reach for a SS in the draft but if a Houston slides then run to the podium. Trade seems the only realistic way out of this mess short term. I probably would have kicked the tires on Lux
much earlier.
Pratt would have been nice, as would have Colt Emerson had he lasted two more picks in 2023.
While I have my doubts on Lux at short, mainly because of the arm strength, some sort of buy low there would have been nice like we did with Arcia.
I also wanted Pratt. But I wanted him instead of Hackenburg because I didn't like the pick at the time. I liked Kuehler better.
I was very wrong about Hackenburg, but also understood drafting for arms. The rotation looked pretty empty beyond Strider after Fried and Morton were gone. (this was before Sale, Lopez were Braves at the time of the 2023 draft and Schwellenbach was still in A ball).
Arcia might be my least favorite Braves player ever. The second half of his “All-Star” season was atrocious and his playoff numbers the last two years were even worse.
He lost me during the Phillies series, in Philly. He was humiliated by Harper and blew a couple of RISP opportunities. Yet through it all, during the final game of series, he’s in the dugout giggling and trying to play grab ass with Ronald, Ozzie and Ozuna.
He routinely shows no fight, no focus, no concentration, no seriousness and his approach at the plate speaks for itself.
Thank you for posting statistical proof that keeping him on this team is a terrible idea.
I have to agree that 2026 is the time to upgrade SS. Unless AA works his magic in July and a great opportunity arises for a trade.