Braves target pitching depth on Draft Day 2

June 5th, 2019

ATLANTA -- After taking college bats with each of their first three selections Monday night, the Braves used the second day of this year’s Draft to target a couple of high-upside high school outfielders and some collegiate hurlers who could add depth to the pipeline’s next wave of pitching talent.

Here is a look at what the Braves did in Tuesday’s portion of the Draft, which consisted of rounds 3-10.

Round 3: OF Michael Harris, 98th overall, Stockbridge (Ga.) High School

Looking to take a chance on some of their abundant hometown talent, the Braves took Harris with the belief his best long-term value will come as a position player. As a left-handed pitcher, he impressed scouts with a fastball that sits around 90 mph and a swing-and-miss curveball.

But the 6-foot-1, 195-pound switch hitter also made a strong impression as he continued to show plus power, plus speed and a plus outfield arm during Perfect Game showcase events.

Harris was recently named Georgia Region 4-AAAAA Player of the Year. He grew up playing in the Braves’ RBI program and has been a long-time participant of the Marquis Grissom Baseball Association.

“He’s a local kid that really had power and athleticism,” Braves vice president of scouting Dana Brown said. “We were very fortunate to get him. There were a lot of teams on him.”

Franchise’s most valuable third round selection: Craig Kimbrel (2008) 20.1 WAR

Round 4: RHP Kasey Kalich, 127th overall Texas A&M

Four years after taking A.J. Minter and a little more than 12 hours after selecting Braden Shewmake, the Braves dipped back into Texas A&M’s talent pool by taking the Aggies’ closer. Kalich transferred from Blinn College last summer and proceeded to record 51 strikeouts over 34 innings in his first Division I season.

Kalich owned a 2.73 ERA before allowing three earned runs over his final 4 1/3 innings (two appearances). The 21-year-old reliever features a fastball that has touched 97 mph and an effective slider, which has registered an above-average spin rate. Given he has two remaining years of eligibility, the Braves may need to go over slot value to sign him.

Franchise’s most valuable fourth round pick: David Justice (1985) 40.6 WAR

Round 5: OF Stephen Paolini, 157th overall, St. Joseph School (Conn.)

The Braves dug deep into their resources with this earlier-than-expected selection of Paolini, who is committed to play at Elon University. The young outfielder possesses plus speed and he has shown power potential with his left-handed swing.

“I got a chance to see him right at the end (of this season),” Brown said. “He’s a good-looking young hitter with some upside and foot speed. We think he has a chance to play center field.”

Franchise’s most valuable fifth round pick: Ryan Klesko (1989) 27.0 WAR

Round 6: RHP Tanner Gordon, 187th overall, Indiana University

Dipping back into the collegiate pool, the Braves opted to take another big right-hander who has completed just one year at the Division I level since transferring from a junior college. Gordon recorded 90 strikeouts and issued 19 walks while posting a 3.81 ERA over 87 1/3 innings for the Hoosiers this year. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound hurler had a 3.39 ERA before allowing Louisville five earned runs over just 2 1/3 innings in last weekend’s NCAA Regional matchup.

Franchise’s most valuable sixth-round pick: Andrew Brown (1999), 0.7 WAR, part of 2002 trade that brought Gary Sheffield to Atlanta.

Round 7: RHP Darius Vines, 217th overall Cal State-Bakersfield

Vines features a fastball that has touched 94 mph, but he has struggled to maintain his velocity for more than a few innings. The Braves are understandably intrigued by the big curveball the 6-foot-1, 190-pound hurler featured while recording 98 strikeouts, issuing 26 walks and producing a 4.10 ERA over 74 2/3 innings for Bakersfield. The 21-year-old hurler may be best utilized as a reliever as he progresses through his professional career.

Franchise’s most valuable seventh-round pick: RHP Rick Camp (1974), 12.1 WAR

Round 8: RHP Ricky DeVito, 247th overall, Seton Hall University

Brown, a member of Seton Hall’s athletic Hall of Fame, tapped his alma mater’s resources to take DeVito, who had a 3.92 ERA this year, recording 68 strikeouts and issuing 31 walks over 64 1/3 innings for the Pirates. He touched 97 mph with his fastball in the Cape Cod League last summer.

Franchise’s most valuable eighth-round pick: RHP Jason Schmidt (1991), 29.5 WAR, centerpiece of the 1996 trade that brought Denny Neagle from Pittsburgh to Atlanta.

Round 10: 2B Cody Milligan, 277th overall Cowley County (Kan.) Community College

A former Oklahoma State player, Milligan displayed great speed and impressive hitting skills as he spent this year serving as Cowley County’s catcher. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound prospect hit .426 and was successful with each of his 24 stolen-base attempts for the Tigers, who advanced to this year’s Junior College World Series. Milligan has showed his athleticism in center field and should be able to make a smooth transition as he gets used to second base.

Franchise’s most valuable ninth-round pick: INF Paul Runge 0.2 WAR

Round 10: OF Brandon Parker, 307th overall, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Parker was named the National Junior College Division II Player of the Year after tallying 24 homers and producing a .932 slugging percentage during the 2018 season. He hit just 14 homers this season for MGCCC, but possesses power potential that could immediately translate to the professional level if he opts to bypass his commitment to Dallas Baptist University.

Franchise’s most valuable 10th-round pick: RHP Kris Medlen, 8.3 WAR