The Braves announced that they’ve added four prospects — outfielder Drew Waters and right-handed pitchers Freddy Tarnok, Brooks Wilson and William Woods — to their 40-man roster. All four players would have been eligible for the Rule 5 draft if not added to Atlanta’s roster before tomorrow evening’s deadline. The club’s 40-man is now full.
Waters is the highest-profile of the bunch. A second-round pick in 2017, the switch-hitting outfielder emerged as one of the sport’s most promising prospects early in his career. Waters hit very well in the low minors, flashing a strong combination of bat-to-ball skills, athleticism and defensive aptitude in center field. By 2019, he’d made it onto Baseball America’s top 100 overall prospects list. He remained one of the game’s top farmhands over the next few years, topping out at #32 entering this past season.
The 2021 campaign was something of a struggle, though, as the 22-year-old spent the entire year with Triple-A Gwinnett. He hit .240/.329/.381 with 11 homers over 459 plate appearances, striking out at an alarming 30.9% clip. As he’s climbed the minor league ladder, evaluators have increasingly raised questions about his aggressive approach at the plate. Waters’ issues against high minors pitching have dinged his stock a bit, but he still checked as the #6 farmhand in the system this offseason and was always a lock to be protected given his pre-2021 pedigree. Depending on how the Braves address their uncertain outfield mix this winter, Waters could be a big league option fairly early in 2022.
Tarnok, Atlanta’s third-round pick in 2017, has slowly progressed up the minor league ladder. The 22-year-old (23 next week) reached Double-A this season, where he worked to a 2.60 ERA over 45 innings with a fantastic 33.7% strikeout percentage and a manageable 8.3% walk rate. Keith Law of the Athletic wrote in July that Tarnok could be an above-average starter at his peak, praising his 93-96 MPH fastball, athleticism and curveball feel. He’s yet to reach Triple-A, though, so it seems likely the Braves will want Tarnok to get a bit more seasoning in the minors before bringing him up for his big league debut.
Wilson, 25, was a seventh-round pick out of Stetson University in 2018. He’s never appeared on an organizational ranking at either FanGraphs or Baseball America, but he had a very strong season between Double-A Mississippi and Gwinnett in 2021. Over 50 innings of relief, Wilson worked to a combined 2.34 ERA with an astronomical 41.4% strikeout rate and a 9.4% walk percentage. He could be an option for the MLB bullpen as soon as next season.
Woods, 22, was a 23rd-rounder in that 2018 draft out of a Tennessee junior college. Both BA and FanGraphs ranked him the #21 prospect in the Atlanta system entering 2021, praising his mid-high 90’s fastball and promising slider. Both outlets expressed reservations about his control but suggested his velocity could at least make him an effective option out of the bullpen. Injuries limited him to just four appearances at High-A Rome this year.
Waters and Anderson to Pittsburgh for Bryan Reynolds and Stallings maybe. Just an idea if these two teams want to get a bit of a swap. Would set the Braves up for signing a SP in free agency and Pirates can build off of Anderson. I could be totally wrong, but maybe these two teams want to add some spice to the off-season…
The Braves aren’t trading Anderson. Why would they?
That’s crazy. Anderson is a future stud you just don’t give up.
Exactly a better trade scenario would be Anderson for Reynolds and Hayes from the pirates lol
I mean, I know it’s the Pirates, but they’re not that stupid.
Why would we ever, ever, EVER give up Waters AND Anderson for those guys? Why would we ever want stallings? Waters and another top 25 guy for Reynolds’s. But no way anderson is dealt. He’s kinda a lick on our team that’s short in pitching at the moment
Bryan Reynolds ain’t bringing back anything less than 3 top 50 prospects. That was the Pirates demands at the trade deadline, I don’t see any reason they would have went down.
Ian Anderson isn’t a prospect. He one the top 3 starters on the World Series Champs. Kyle Muller would be more realistic for both teams.
3 top 50 prospects for him is insane. Now he’s good and demands something solid. A top 100 or two, or a top 100 and another top prospect or two in the organizational top 30. But 3 top 50 overall. That’s insane …. He’ll never be dealt for that, no matter how much they demand it.
That’s said, Braves can’t afford giving up anderson for him. Is that a fair trade? Sure, is it reasonable for the Braves today? No! Just stupid
It is insane, and that’s what it’s going to take to get Reynolds from the Pirates. Pirates asked the Marlins for Max Meyer, Sixto Sanchez, and Edward Cabrera. Recently when the Mariners inquired about him, they asked about Noelvi Marte and Julio Rodriguez. Starting point is Chris Archer return, and it can only go up from there.
Ok teams will wait a year and then low ball your team when they don’t wanna pay the man.
Except now he had less control.
I don’t even want Reynolds’s. I just want what we had that won us a World Series and keep the prospects. We have the cash. Keep the outfield via FA. Then trade a prospect or two for a pitcher that’s solid. Doesn’t have to be elite, just a really strong 4.
Couldn’t have said it better, why would we pay prospect capital for Reynolds when we can just get almost as strong production elsewhere without the same cost.
Because Atlanta’s main known strength is prospects. Deal from your strength to improve your weakness.
Waters, Contreras and Wright for Reynolds.
I could see maybe Waters, Wright and a third, but probably not a C. I know everyone thinks the Pina signing makes Contreras moveable, but I think the Braves are just ensuring they have depth at catcher.
I think Reynolds is HIGHLY overrated myself, but I also think the Braves window fits picking him up and moving one OF prospect. Cold reality is, his majors numbers are as good as Pache and Waters MiLB numbers, though his defense is not as good as either of those two. He is an OBP/Doubles type of hitter that might grow into more power. That was said about Freddie for years as he was went five full MLB seasons before he topped 23 homers.
So yeah, as much I think Reynolds might be a bit of a fluke, I would send out Pache or Waters, one top arm (not Anderson, as that is assinine), and a lower minors prospect with upside or two.
It would be more like Pache, Muller, Harris and another pitcher like Davidson or Yanoa.
Braves won’t make that deal, but I actually think that’s what it would take to pry Reynolds from the Pirates
@The Baseball Fan (Doesn’t like the Cubs)=BumgarnerequalsNLCS
A new username, and still talking **** about Reynolds. As if the Braves are giving up Anderson, ridiculous and delusional.
Anderson is not going anywhere!
They’re ser to have a top 3 Dogs in Anderson. Fried and Soroka once he returns !
Last Pittsburg outfielder the Braves traded for somehow magically forgot how to hit. He paved the way for future acquisitions that also forgot to hit. Nate McClouth to Dan Uggla to BJ Upton
Not moving Anderson. One of the young catchers gets moved not our number 3
I do agree that a catcher will likely get dealt this year. But I’m not sure how amazing their values are overall.
I’d say Shea has some pretty solid value but there’s no way the Braves move him, he could lock that position down for years Contreras can be had though.
Tarnok’s a neat prospect
Three Others might be even better than the Mariners prospect Two Others!
Reynolds cost is to high, Much better off with Rosario or Soler.
I don’t think they’ll be able to keep Soler. If the NL adopts a DH then there will be a huge market for Soler, and I think the Braves get priced out of his market. If the NL (hopefully, for me) doesn’t adopt a DH then Soler plays RAJ’s best position. I suppose you could put Ronald in CF, but you stress his leg more.
I agree, though- I don’t want Reynolds for the price. I’d push to keep Eddie for sure, and I’d like to have Joc back if the cost fits in the budget.
I understand that Waters is only 22 years-old, but I’m beginning to wonder about him.
Braves fans have been pushing him as a can’t miss prospect / possible superstar in the making for 3 years on this board. Yet I’ve read questionable scouting reports on him – his lack of discipline at the plate and being a poor OF. The stats he had in his 2nd year of AAA (actually he had a 1/3rd year in 2019) regressed from the 1st.
He’s beginning to look like another Kyle Wright. Only 22 so there’s no reason to hit the panic button. But this is exactly the reason the Pirates have such a high asking price on Reynolds (see comments above) – it’s one thing to speculate on what a youngster is going to do when he gets to the majors, it’s another to do it (and Reynolds plays home games in a large pitchers park).
I’m not sure who got more overrated Pache or Waters.
Pache. Is looks more like the 2nd coming of Jackie Bradley. Great defense but will be a Mendoza line hitter.
You’re stupid…Braves fans have been pushing…like that has any bearing on what actually happens! wtf man! Also the comparison go Kyle Wright is
Asinine
@Samuel We can hope that Waters looks like another Kyle Wright. Did you know that he had a better ERA in the World Series than Tyler Matzek. Kyle is starting to get it. and not somebody to let go. Drew needs some AB’s in the ML.
Although I do seem to remember someone saying that Waters was gonna be the next Christian Yelich, I think for the most part Braves fans have not been pushing him to be the next super star. Most of the discussion around Drew is usually about who would Braves fans would like to keep from Pache and Waters.
Waters had potential to be a solid outfielder who hits 25 HRs with a .280 average and solid defense. Occasional All-star reserve, maybe.
How is it logical that a guy with 31 career minor league HRs will be a 25 HR guy in the majors? And a career .283 minor league hitter (.247 at AAA) will be a .280 hitter in the majors? Ridiculous.
There are plenty of ‘spray the ball’ type of hitters that have low HR numbers until they start building their adult strength. Very few come in hitting bombs, and if that is all they can do they tend to fall off more rapidly than those that spray the ball.
In other words, when decent hitters start growing into their power, they can really start ramping up the HR’s. Not certain that Waters will be that type, but the argument above is not unrealistic. Here is just one recent example though I am certain there are dozens within the last decade.
Player A – 1555 minor league at bats 16 homers
Player B – 1589 minor league at bats 31 homers
Player B is obviously Drew Waters. Player A is Ozzie Albies, who in his three full season in the majors has hit 24, 24, and 30.
Now, Albies was a year younger in most of those leagues, but he was also far behind on power. It just gives you an idea. Not to mention minor league pitching is full of guys who cannot consistently throw strikes, and some hitters actually hit better when they start hitting high minors (usually after a small period of adjustment).
In addition, Reynolds didn’t hit for that many more homers on a per AB basis, and he came through after playing college and building up strength.
Albies is a .273 hitter averaging 26 HRs. And you’re saying that Drew Waters will be as good as Albies? Like I said: ridiculous.
I agree. He gets a lot of hype but whenever I look at stat lines I’m a little disappointed. I think that partially because us Braves fans saw Acuña come through the minors and expect all of our top prospects to be like him. I think it’s also partially a recency bias. Waters had a subpar season (and we should question if that had much to do with a year off). Either way, this upcoming year will be important for Waters
Kyle Wright is one of the main reasons we won the World Series and I would have no problem at all him being our 5th starter to begin the year.
In some ways I agree with you Samuel, but I think the problem is perception caused by how good some of the Braves recent prospects have been in such a short time and the media trying to generate clicks. Acuna, Albies, Riley and even Swanson(who people on this board hate on all the time) all have outplayed their age brackets. They all rose through the minors quickly with an occasional injury setback. That is just not the norm.
Waters has been talked about since he was drafted, but that was truly only 3 full seasons ago. He played in AAA last year at a -4.4 age difference to the norm. He is still so young compared to his competition.
The real question is whether he will do like Riley (stumble a little each promo, only to adjust the next season and start showing his stuff again), or is he just starting to be overmatched. As a direct example since others are talking about Reynolds, he hit AA at 24, whereas Waters played there last year at 22, and that was after a full season of no minor league ball. Reynolds was still in A-ball at the same age that Waters played AAA last year.
I get a little impatient because so many web sites kept saying Waters might be a late season call up and I was hoping for a break out season, but the reality is, the media is just pushing for clicks and he is still super young and just needs more time.
That my friend, is mighty fine analysis
Protected these guys from rule 5 that’s all. It is a procedural move. All I care about is them signing Freddie. We still need outfield help as well. But you can’t let the best hitter on your team walk. I will care about the other transactions AFTER the re-sign the leader of this Braves team.
Agreed.
1) Sign Freddie
2) Start thinking about an extension for Riley. If he has one more similar season his price will go even higher. Maybe try to get it done now.
3) Hold steady on the SP market to conserve money. Believe in Fried, Morton and Anderson for your top three and give the kids some more starts (Ynoa, Wright, Muller and when ready, Soroka). If needed, go after one of the SP’s that might be available in trade (Reds)
4) Wait for market to sort itself a bit as middling corner OF’s should be cheap
5) Add one or maybe two bullpen arms
6) Work on extension for Swanson. Despite the hate, he is a solid SS that can fit into their payroll (unless he is overly greedy). At the very least, you get an idea of what it will take and can build your future around knowing you will or won’t have him. News flash, the Braves will never pay a top tier SS.
7) Wait on Ozuna outcome, but keep in mind that even if he is cleared of all charges, the public perception might cause a need for a change of scenery and you will likely have to take on a bad contract or throw a prospect you don’t want to lose into the deal to get him off the books. Or, just keep him knowing that ‘winning’ will help clear up the perception. Besides, the CBA and possible lockout will take up a ton of press.
– If he is still suspended hit the trade market quickly to alleviate 40-man crunch and get an OF/DH in here.
I know that is probably not the right order but it doesn’t matter. #1 is #1 and there is no question about that.
1.Acuña Jr. RF
2.Albies 2B
3.Freeman 1B
4.Riley 3B
5.Rosario LF
6.Chapman DH
7.D’Arnaud/Contreras C
8.Pache CF
9.Swanson SS
1.Anderson
2.Fried
3.Morton
4.Montas
5.Muller
That could easily be the scenario with the Braves if AA is active by bringing Freeman and Rosario back and pulling of a trade with the A’s for a 3B and a SP.
He has done so before as the Jays GM with Josh Donaldson
Waters and Wilson could lead the package heading to the A’s !
It’ll give the Braves the ability to play Chapman at 3B and move Riley to RF and Acuña to CF while keeping Rosario in LF and still have premium Defense all around. That’s in the even that Pache keeps on struggling at the MLB level which I hope not. I have high hopes grime this kid. He has a lot of potential !
There’s no way the A’s trade Montas AND Chapman unless Riley, and/or Anderson are included, plus other prospects.
When the Jays traded for Donaldson they had to give up Lowry, who was highly regarded at the time. Right now the trade seems lopsided, but at the time it wasn’t.
That likely won’t happen or less AA is delirious. Acuna is a stud in RF, Riley has established himself at 3rd, and Chapman is an elite defender, why trade the farm to have two All Star 3rd basemen? If Freddie leaves, I’d go after Matt Olson but I think Freddie stays so focus on the outfield and solidify the back end of the rotation. I think Kyle Wright proved in the post season this year that he’s ready for the big stage but it wouldn’t hurt to add a proven post season vet or two in case Soroka and Wright don’t pan out. I like Muller a lot but I’m undecided on if he’s a trade piece or solid #4, and Ynoa, he’s a head case that punches out more dugout benches than hitters.
Trade for the best defensive 3B in the AL but don’t let him play the field? Brilliant.
Chapman is a gold glove defender, there’s no logic behind having him as a DH. Plus Riley has shown he can handle the hot corner. Sign Rosario and trade Pache, Contreras, and Ynoa for Reynolds
Riley also plays first when freeman is out of the line up. Could be an option when freeman signs with san diego. Just trolling my fellow braves fans on that second sentence but a trade for a third baseman night be in the cards if the braves cant resign freeman. Thinking of first base options, i wonder if hosmer could be had as a salary dump. Hosmer reminds me a little bit of casey kotchman at this point in his career.
Resign Rosario to play left, pry Bryan Reynolds from Pittsburg to play center with a package of Pache, Contreras, and either Muller or a pitching prospect. Hang onto Langeliers and Waters, I think they’ll be solid contributors. Resigning Pederson would be great ‘cause of his charisma and leadership and to play everyday until Acuna is back but I expect he’ll take a multi year deal elsewhere. Biggest questions on this team is Ozuna, the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation considering Soroka might trip on a rock and have another lost season.
Line-Up
RF Acuna
1B Freeman
2B Albies
3B Riley
CF Reynolds
LF Rosario
DH ?
C d’Arnaud/Pina
SS Swanson
SP Morton
SP Fried
SP Anderson
SP ?
SP ?
wish you were a gm
More important than ridiculous Anderson+ for Reynolds laughingstock posts, how are we gonna get our mitts on Dru Jones…?
Dump Pache and all other duds, i.e. Camargo, Tomlin, maybe Waters. (We might eventually be able to get our eyes on him.) Some guys are just not MLB material.