Atlanta Braves: Another minor league prospect?
On Wednesday, May 12, the Atlanta Braves traded right-handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin to the Los Angeles Angels for Adam McCreery. What will another minor league prospect bring to the Braves?
McCreery, a minor league left-handed pitcher, was drafted by the Angels in the 22nd round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Azusa Pacific University.
The 6’8”, 195 lb. left-hander has spent his first two professional seasons in the Arizona Rookie League.
He has hit as high as 95 mph but lacks solid control and placement of his pitches. While he may be able to overpower minor league hitters, without much improvement, he may struggle at the major league level.
Stockpiling young arms is understandable, but how many of them will actually turn into John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, or Steve Avery?
Once again the Braves have continued to bolster their farm system with more young arms. Hopefully, at some point, all of this stockpiling will come to fruition through trades, promotions and development.
It’s hard not to watch the parent team, the Atlanta Braves, lose another series and have to go on the road against quality opponents like the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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You begin to wonder, what is this season going to turn in to? Are the Atlanta Braves the ’62 Mets, who finished 40 – 120, or are they a version of the ’88 Braves, who finished 54-106 with the likes of Smoltz, Glavine, Mark Lemke, and Ron Gant?
That’s how it was done in 1988. The Braves stockpiled these young arms, just as they are seemingly doing now, and were able to make positive additions to their roster.
With young left handed pitching at a premium, McCreery has a chance to become an important part of the maturation of the Atlanta Braves.
Considering the Brave’s upcoming move to their new stadium in 2017, there just might be a sense of urgency to develop these young arms.
Next: Atlanta Braves: Who should they pick third overall?
Regardless of the results so far this year, the future does look bright for the Atlanta Braves. It’s just difficult to see at the moment, as the Braves currently sit at 8-25, and at dead last in the National League.