Top Positional Players.
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1. Andy Marte – He’s close. Defensively, he showed everyone in Atlanta how good he is. He just needs consistent at bats to prove the offensive part.
2. Jeff Francoeur – Jeff is walking more and becoming a RBI machine for the AA team. A good July by Jeff may make force the Braves to release Brian Jordan.
3. Scott Thorman – The forgotten prospect. No one ever mentions Scott, but he’s showing this season that he’s a hitter.
4. Josh Burrus – He turned the corner last season and this year he is showing that he is a prime prospect.
5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia – When the season is over, he’ll be one of the most highly touted catching prospects in the game.
6. Billy McCarthy – Struggling in his second season back in AAA, but he’s still a hitter that the Braves love.
7. Matt Esquivel – Also showing tremendous production, Esquivel must cut down on his strikeouts.
8. Wes Timmons – Ladies and Gentleman, the next Pete Orr. He’s versatile, plays hard, and makes things happen.
9. James Jurries – Somebody’s going to have to give JJ a chance, but it might not be Atlanta.
10. Brayan Pena – Still has huge defensive question marks. Short stint in Atlanta did nothing to dispel defensive shortcomings. But his bat still makes him a prospect.
11. Van Pope – Having a solid season in Rome. Pope is a lower-level prospect that will be fun to watch develop over the next several seasons.
12. Tony Pena, Jr. – Instead of showing Braves he could be Furcal’s replacement, Pena is instead becoming just another prospect.
13. Yunel Escobar – In the organization for less than a month, Escobar might replace Pena as an option to supplant Furcal.
14. Martin Prado – He’s hit since the day he put on a Braves’ uniform. He’s not going to be thought of as a star, but might turn out to be one anyway.
15. Elvis Andrus – He’s 16 and he’s going to be a star. He won’t be at 15 for long on this list. By the end of the year, he might be in the Top 10.
16. Luis Hernandez – His offensive struggles have him a bit low, but we’ve got to remember he’s only 20 years old in AA. The glove continues to sparkle.
17. Clint Sammons – Meet your backup catcher in 2008. Clint can handle pitchers with the best of them and provide a spark in the lineup.
18. Eric Campbell – Off to a great start in Danville. The Braves expected his power to come and Campbell is not disappointing so far.
19. Steve Doetsch – Started in Rome but an injury pushed him up to Myrtle Beach. Doetsch is having a nice developmental season.
20. Jonathan Schuerholz – Has anyone noticed the impressive season this guy is having? Not really. Don’t count him out.