Battery Power 2024 Preseason Top 30 Braves

Prospects: Merit Citation

Usually, our prospects for honorable mentions would be at the top of our prospect list, but this season, I felt it would be more appropriate to move them to the bottom. It was a fully planned move, in spite of rumors to the contrary. I didn’t forget I was supposed to do it until the night before the top 30 list was released. Not all of the guys who received votes were in the top 30, though, as our list concluded yesterday. Since Alex Anthopoulos never sleeps, one of these six is already in the top 30.

Number 30: Kevin Kilpatrick Jr.

This feels a little strange. We are grateful that the Atlanta Braves acquired JP Martinez in return for Kevin Kilpatrick, our 26th-ranked prospect.

Despite being the final player selected by the Braves in the 2022 selection, Keshawn Ogans did not perform well in the previous campaign. Ogans wasn’t a star, but he showed promise to be a major leaguer by playing an all-around good game for the Rome Braves. Ogans doesn’t have a very good tool, but he accomplishes everything a player needs to be successful: he makes solid plate appearances, hits with adequate power to finish games, and makes consistent contact. Ogans can play all over the diamond, but his best position is second base because to his strong defensive abilities. After putting up strong numbers in the Arizona Fall League in 2023, he will now test double-A, giving him the chance to advance in

Cody Milligan

Surprisingly for a player who only began playing center field once he reached Double-A, Cody Milligan stands out for his defense at that position. With the exception of his lack of arm strength, Milligan was a perfect match for the role right away due to his speed and natural intuition. Sadly, Milligan missed a lot of time in 2023 due to injury, but when he was playing, he was a spark at the top of Mississippi’s lineup. Although Milligan’s power is limited, he hit the ball harder last season and might be a fourth outfielder. He can work deep counts and cause damage on the bases.

Jared Johnson

Since being a part of the 2019 draft Johnson’s career has taken a slow path, but he flashes the talent to be a force in a major league bullpen. In short outings Johnson can sit in the upper 90’s with his fastball, overpowering hitters and also dropping in a short-breaking upper-80’s to low-90’s slider. Command pushed him to a full time bullpen role upon a promotion to High-A Rome, however the raw stuff can play as long as he can find the zone. Johnson’s time in the pro ranks has been tumultuous due to the covid layoff and Tommy John surgery in 2022, but he is in a position to go a long way in 2024 with his first full, healthy offseason in awhile.

Javier Valdes

Javier Valdes can flat out hit. Ever since being drafted in the 21st round in 2019 that’s all he has done, advancing to Double-A for the past two season where he posted better-than-league average numbers in 96 total games. Valdes draws tons of walks, makes solid contact, and has much more home run strength than his 5’10 frame might suggest. An arm issue in 2023 slowed his progress just a bit and may have impacted his power numbers, but as long as he can find a defensive home there is reason to be optimistic about his offensive game.

Luis De Avila

There aren’t many cheaper ways to acquire talent than through the minor league Rule 5 draft, and De Avila stepped into immediate success in the Braves system. De Avila took a major step forward in 2023, showcasing a three pitch mix centering around a low-90’s fastball. De Avila also throws a curveball and changeup, with the changeup being the more effective of the two. De Avila’s frame and command are concerns for a starter, but he has managed to have success by filling the zone and focusing on keeping the ball down in the zone. A step forward in his command could have him projecting as a back-end starter, and he has had impressive success in the upper levels of the minor leagues.