The state of Georgia is a common hotbed for baseball talent, though over the last couple of drafts it hasn’t produced quite the depth we are accustomed to seeing. This year features only solid first round talent, but there will still be plenty of players that go off of the board in the early rounds of the draft. The Atlanta Braves have been shyer about picking players from inside the state during Alex Anthopoulos’s tenure, with only eight total state of Georgia selections. Still they’ve managed to rock up with some huge picks, from Michael Harris II to Justyn-Henry Malloy. Here are eight players from the state of Georgia to keep your eye on Sunday and Monday, and there is a chance that any of them could be the next hometown star for the Atlanta Braves.
Daniel Pierce is the top talent from the state this draft, and while recent mock drafts have him going in the teens given the depth of shortstop talent in this draft there is some possibility that exists for him to be the one that slips to the back third of the draft. Pierce is a fantastic athlete who ticks every box for every scout, though the one lingering question is whether he will hit enough to be an above average major league player. Still, there is belief he will and with average power and elite defensive ability he could be an everyday shortstop at the major league level.
Kyle Lodise – While not the top Lodise in this class, that belonging to his cousin Alex, Georgia Tech’s Kyle Lodise is another shortstop prospect who will find himself a likely day one pick in the draft. Lodise is a player who model-driven teams seem to like, the Braves being one of those, but traditional scouts are worried whether he will stick at shortstop and hit for enough power. Still there is plenty to like with an advanced approach, a simple swing, and above average athleticism that could make him a solid starting shortstop.
Tre Phelps – The University of Georgia didn’t follow up Charlie Condon with an elite prospect in this draft, but Tre Phelps is part of a slew of potential late day one, early day two draft picks. Phelps has electric power potential and bat speed and could be a middle-of-the-order bat, but there are questions of how his approach and pitch recognition will play at the professional level. As he lacks the speed to play anywhere but left field he is going to be tested offensively, and after regressing this spring Phelps could also opt to return to the Bulldogs where he still has two seasons of eligibility.
Brian Curley – Curley is an interesting arm, and may be one that fits a profile Atlanta likes to work with. He is undersized and has effort in his delivery, but after starting the season as the Bulldogs closer he converted to starting and has had success there. Most view him strictly as a reliever at the next level, but the Braves haven’t been shy about taking players with reliever risk especially when they throw 100 mph with nasty movement at the top of the strike zone and can spin a nasty slider.
Dax Kilby – There are few who question Newnan High School’s shortstop’s ability to hit the ball. The 6’3” Kilby has an easy swing and advanced approach, and along with his room to grow into power has the potential to be a top-of-the-order bat for a big league club. His defense and arm are the main factors holding him back from first round type projections with most clubs expecting him to land as a second baseman or left fielder. Still, a team who thinks they can improve his throwing motion and actions at shortstop will likely give him some run there, and if he can get to average at the position he would be a potential steal.
Reid Worley is a bit older for a prep pair in this class, and given his need for command and arsenal refinement is likely to not land as a day one pick. He has a commitment to Kennesaw State waiting on him, but a team interested in his projectability and ability to spin could be a suitor for him. Worley’s slider can get up over 3000 rpm, and many scouts have noted his feel for a changeup and the potential for that to be another solid secondary. His fastball velocity and command are below average, but there are pieces there to work with for a team with an established track record of pitching development.
Alton Davis – Like Curley, the reliever risk is the biggest weight saddling Alton Davis’s projections. Davis has been a pure reliever at Georgia, but with his big frame, plus fastball velocity, and solid slider he is a player with some potential to convert to starting for a team willing to take the risk. Davis needs a lot of work on his command and developing a changeup, but the Braves are typically confident in their development program.
Kolten Smith – Kolten Smith has a 5.40 career ERA and has split his time between starting and relieving, but also features impressive strikeout-to-walk numbers and has the stuff to be a starter at the next level. Smith had a disappointing spring where his numbers didn’t progress as much as hoped, but with a classic pitcher’s frame, a high carry fastball in the low-to-mid 90’s, a slider and curveball that could both be plus, and a solid changeup there is more to his profile than his outputs. He could be a steal later in the draft for a team who believes his control regression and high home run totals won’t translate to the next level.