Atlanta Braves: Jenkins, Smith MiLB Braves of the Year

By John Buhler | Sep 10, 2015

The Atlanta Braves announced that their Minor League Players of the Year are RHP Tyrell Jenkins and CF Mallex Smith. Both Jenkins and Smith split time between AA Mississippi and AAA Gwinnett.

Today, the Atlanta Braves named both promising prospects Tyrell Jenkins and Mallex Smith as the organization’s best Minor League players of 2015. Both Jenkins and Smith dominated in their first season with the Atlanta Braves organization. Jenkins came to Atlanta in the Shelby Miller-Jason Heyward deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. Smith joined the Atlanta organization in the Justin Upton trade with the San Diego Padres.

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Jenkins went a combined 8-9 with a 3.19 ERA over 25 starts. Tyrell had the fourth best ERA in the Braves system this season and finished fifth with 88 strikeouts. Jenkins also earned a 2015 Southern League All-Star nod in his first season with the Atlanta Braves organization.

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Smith hit .306 in 126 games split between Mississippi and Gwinnett, good enough for fourth best in the organization. Mallex swiped an eye-popping 57 stolen bases between his two stops, fifth in all the MiLB. Like Jenkins, Mallex Smith earned a 2015 Southern League All-Star nod as well.

Throughout the 2015 Season, these were the two names Braves Country kept hearing about at the Minor League level. While neither have made their big league debut yet, I have to believe that both Tyrell Jenkins and Mallex Smith will have their opportunities to make the 2016 Atlanta Braves right out of spring training.

Mar 2, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Mallex Smith (83) pose for photo day at Wide World of Sports. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

According to MLB.com, Tyrell Jenkins is the Atlanta Braves’ #4 overall prospect, while Mallex Smith sits at #13 in the organization. Both Braves MiLB players of the year project to have an estimated time of arrival in Atlanta next season.

With the third through fifth slots in the Atlanta Braves rotation still in flux for 2016 (Shelby Miller and Julio Teheran will be either one and two), Tyrell Jenkins has as strong of a chance as any pitching prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization to make the starting rotation. Manny Banuelos, Mike Foltynewicz, Williams Perez, and Matt Wisler have all struggled mostly in their rookie seasons.

It seems as though only RF Nick Markakis will stick in the Atlanta Braves outfield for the extended future. Markakis signed a four-year deal to play for his hometown team this offseason. Perhaps young speedster Mallex Smith gets his opportunity for one of three or four open outfield spots on the Atlanta Braves. Should the club re-sign Cameron Maybin, maybe Smith can make the club as a fourth outfielder or play leftfield?

With the 2015 Atlanta Braves season slowly winding down, it’s nice to see two of our promising young prospects be rewarded for their Minor League accomplishments this season. It may sound so far away, but the Atlanta Braves could certainly be competitive once again in 2017. Both Tyrell Jenkins and Mallex Smith are definitely part of that equation for the Atlanta Braves.

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