Braves Prospects Just Outside the Top 50

March 20, 2021 Jake Berry Braves, General 0

Brandol Mezquita, Gulf Coast League, July 4, 2019 - photo credit Bryan Green on Flickr
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It has been about a month and a half since the 2021 Atlanta Braves Top 50 was published and not only have I had time to get excited about the idea of watching these prospects take the field, but I have also had time to reflect. No, not reflect on a lost season in 2020, but reflect on some of the names that were battling to make the latest edition of the Braves Top 50. Here are a handful of those names I contemplated, presented in no particular order.


William Woods, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: Single-A

Woods is in big league camp with the Braves and has the potential to have a meteoric rise through the system. A 23rd round pick in 2018 out of is Tennessee JUCO, Woods has a prototypical pitcher’s build and a fastball that has hit 99. After spending last year at the alt site and this Spring in big league camp, Woods’ secondaries may come along quicker than we first expected. This is easily the guy that could make me look most foolish for leaving him off the top 50.

Ethan Workinger, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level: College

You can read about Workinger in the “Who’s Next” article from the end of January, but the 19-year-old is a former Little League World Series star that the Braves are willing to take a gamble on after just one year at JUCO.

Joey Estes, RHP
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie

My friend @jvickery55 will be happy Estes makes this article as he has wanted to see the California native make the top 50 the last two years. The 2019 16th round draft pick is very raw as one would expect and didn’t show well in his minuscule 10 inning pro ball debut, but can make strides with the development of his repertoire.

Bryson Horne, 1B
Age: 22
Highest Level: College

Horne may be a homer pick for me as he has a special place in my heart as a big power bat and a former D2 masher who played just down the road at Columbus State. The 21-year-old stands 6’3, 210 and slashed .425/.510/.725 with six homers in the shortened 2020 college season. Keep in mind that Georgia is easily one of the top three states in the country for Division 2 baseball.

Landon Stephens, INF
Age: 23
Highest Level: College

Stephens had a solid college career at Miami (Ohio) and while he doesn’t have a standout tool, the 22-year-old can play all over the infield and is no slouch with the bat or on the base paths. There isn’t a super high ceiling here, but there is a well-rounded baseball skill set.

Brandol Mezquita, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie

Physically Mezquita looks the part and has the fast twitch ability. It will be interesting to see what he grows into and is certainly worth checking in on as he rises through the Braves system.

Antonio Barranca, C
Age: 19
Highest Level: High School

The Braves seem to like Barranca for his defense and physical stature. The undrafted free agent was in instructs last year and while he may not ever be a serious threat at the plate, he could move to the upper levels of the minors thanks to his skills behind it.

Cam Shepherd, SS
Age: 23
Highest Level: College

A four-year regular at the University of Georgia, Shepherd is a glove-first middle infielder.

Jake Berry

I reside in Carrollton, Georgia and love everything baseball. I graduated from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management. I have a passion for the minor leagues and have high hopes of visiting as many minor league parks as I can. I enjoy the statistical side of the game, especially sabermetrics. I am also an avid baseball card collector and fantasy baseball player.

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