West Villages Improvement District: Could Ian Anderson, Drew Waters help Atlanta Braves down the stretch?

https://tomahawktake.com
by Jake Mastroianni, August 14, 2019

The Atlanta Braves have a couple of top prospects who could really help the team down the stretch if they prove themselves ready.
When the Atlanta Braves called up their top three prospects to Triple-A in early August we knew there was a chance this could be a showcase opportunity for them.

With continued struggles in the bullpen and mounting injuries in the outfield, the possibility of Ian Anderson, Drew Waters, or Cristian Pache contributing this season is increasing.

The Atlanta Braves are obviously in win-now mode, so there is no real reason to hold back these prospects if they’re ready.

And Alex Anthopoulos said recently that they’re going to take the best 25 (subscription required).

If that’s the case, then again, they have to consider using some of their top prospects down the stretch.

But before that happens, those players need to perform at Triple-A.

In about a week of action, Waters has done everything he can with 8 hits in 26 at-bats including a home run.

He’s only 20-years-old, but he tore up Double-A this year and has not slowed down thus far at Triple-A. It might be worth adding him to the 40-man roster before September and seeing if he can be a valuable player off the bench as a switch-hitter and a runner.

Pache has not had the same success since moving up, but again, small sample size. The one thing Pache has done better than Waters is he’s shown great plate discipline with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts.

If Pache starts to get a few extra hits over the next couple of weeks, we could see him get a chance to have an impact in September and possibly even in the postseason.

Ian Anderson has made two starts at Triple-A — one good, one bad. What’s surprising is that he’s walked seven batters in those two outings.

It’s not out of the question that he could make a start for the Atlanta Braves this year, but the more likely path for him is to help out in the bullpen where the Braves still need help.

If he puts together two more solid outings at Triple-A to end August, look for him to join the 40-man roster before September so he can be eligible for the postseason.

I think we will definitely see Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson get a chance to prove themselves out of the bullpen in September. The same could also be said for Tucker Davidson whose first start at Triple-A was very solid.

At this point, it’s still all hands on deck in the bullpen, and whoever is throwing the best come September is who they will take into the postseason.

These next couple of weeks will be very important for these top prospects. If the Atlanta Braves are serious about taking the best 25 into the postseason, and these players perform well, they’ll have to make room for them on the 40-man roster by the end of August.

Ali H. Johnston, MBA in Real Estate