Talking Chop

We continue our march through the Braves top-30 mid-season prospects today with 11 through 20. Once again this list was compiled by taking the three lists of gondeee, yondaime4, and cbwilk and averaging them together. The write-ups were contributed by all three bloggers, as we each try to write about the guys we know the best.

For top prospects 21 through 30 click here.

Here is the middle third. Note that stats for hitters include batting average / on-base percentage / slugging percentage, while stats for pitchers include ERA / WHIP / innings pitched.

11 Mycal Jones, SS :: .274/.321/.410 between Rome and Myrtle Beach
Older for the leagues he's been playing in, Jones got a bit of a late start in the pros, but he seems to be making up time quickly. He uses his quick hands and swing to put the ball in play, then uses his plus speed to get on, get over, and get in. He's shown the ability to be an above average hitter, but needs to show consistency. He still has too much of a fly-ball swing, but once he refines that and focuses more on hitting line drives he should add more points to his average. His defense at short is a work in progress, and while he's shown good range and a strong arm, he needs to cut down on his errors.

12 J.J. Hoover, RHP :: 3.83/1.28/91.2 at Myrtle Beach
Hoover was recently called the ‘the most average pitching prospect I have ever seen' by Mike Newman of Scouting the Sally. He may be right that none of Hoover's assets would be considered plus (maybe his command) but he does everything well and is greater than the sum of his parts. Actually, calling him average is a compliment to Hoover, since he doesn't have any holes in his game. J.J. had a rough introduction to the Carolina League but he adjusted quickly and put together a string of fantastic starts with just a couple of bumps before righting the ship once again after the All Star game. He has command of a curve and change and uses them effectively to induce weak pop ups. In most systems he would probably be a top-two or three pitching prospect but he is fifth or sixth best with the Braves. His ceiling is probably that of a third starter, but he has a good chance of being something useful in the majors, just maybe not with Atlanta. 

13 Adam Milligan, OF :: .200/.277/.376 at Myrtle Beach
Milligan was the one of the few hitting prospects we Braves fans had to look forward to this season after he demolished two levels of the minors in 2009. Unfortunately Adam hurt his shoulder early in the 2010 campaign and will probably be out for the rest of the season. When healthy he could be the Braves best chance for a power outfield bat. The biggest knock is his plate discipline and contact rate. If those two facets can level out and his injury can heal Adam has the potential to be a 5 or 6 hole hitter in the majors. 

14 Brett Oberholtzer, LHP :: 3.52 between Rome and Myrtle Beach
A big strong lefty with a bulldog mentality, Oberholtzer gets as much out of his stuff as any Braves prospect. His offerings are average, a low-90s fastball that he couples with a curveball and a changeup, he succeeds by being smarter than hitters and being willing to throw any of his pitches, at any time, in any location. He's a superior athlete and does all the little things well, just a further sign of his off-the-charts makeup.

15 Jose Ortegano, LHP :: 6.05/1.69/83.1 between Myrtle Beach and Gwinnett
Despite being only 22 year old, Ortegano is in his 7th season with the Braves, making him the most experienced player on this list. He's been affected this year by a mild shoulder strain that caused him to miss all of Spring Training and begin the year with Myrtle Beach on a rehab assignment. He's been inconsistent since his promotion to Gwinnett, but he still has good stuff, with a low to mid-90s fastball, a plus curve, and a solid changeup. His future may come out of the bullpen, where he can dial his fastball up to 98 mph.

16 Zeke Spruill, RHP :: 7.94/1.53/17 between GCL (2 rehab games) and Myrtle Beach
Over the last year Spruill has been demoted from Rome to the GCL for missing team meetings, and put on the disabled list after he broke his hand punching a wall. The Braves have had a couple of guys in the last few years who were loaded with talent but didn't quite get things together mentally (Steve Evarts and Jake Stevens come to mind) and Zeke appears to be following this path. He is probably the most projectable pitcher in the system with a long, lanky body that could add weight and velocity. He throws a heavy sinking fastball with precision that is coupled with a solid change and curve. Spruill recently returned to action with Myrtle Beach and we will see what he can do in the second half of the season, but right now his attitude is the key to his future success, at least with the Braves.

17 Kyle Rose, OF :: .273/.341/.312 at Rome
The fastest player in the Braves organization, the long and lean Rose ran wild in the Gulf Coast League last season, but has had trouble with the running game for Rome this season, getting caught more times than he's been successful in stolen base attempts (19-for-39). While he's shown a decent ability to walk, he could still stand to improve in that area, and his ability to hit the ball with authority is almost nonexistent, meaning his future is entirely wrapped up in his ability to use his speed. He is a plus defender in centerfield with an average arm. He has been learning how to switch hit since Spring Training, a move that could help his ability to beat out singles; but he has yet to try it in an actual game.

18 Carlos Perez, LHP :: 0.48/1.07/18.2 at Danville
He din't impress statistically last season as a 17 year old in the Gulf Coast League, but he's gotten off to a great start with Danville this season. A lanky lefthander with a mid-90s fastball and developing off-speed stuff, Perez finds himself in a similar position to Randall Delgado a few seasons ago as a player that few know about who has the potential to become one of the team's top arms. If he continues his solid work at Danville, he may not only find himself in Rome by the season's end, he could also work his way into one of the top-10 spots on this list.

19 Joe Leonard, 3B :: .278/.333/.417 at Danville
At 6' 5" 220 lbs, Leonard is a big guy who fits the physical profile for a third baseman perfectly. As a junior at Pitt he hit .436, which was in the top-10 nationally and earned him Big East Player of the Year honors. Defensively he has the potential to be an above average third baseman with a very strong arm that he used to also set the career record for saves a Pitt. Offensively he has a profile similar to a lot of our other hitters: a good line drive stroke but without much power projection. If he can develop average power, his defense could carry him to the majors (quickly).

20 Andy Otero, LHP
After dominating the Dominican Summer League as a 17 year old last season, the Braves couldn't wait to see what Otero could do in the Gulf Coast League this summer, but an injury has prevented him from playing in a single game so far this year. As an undersized, athletic lefty, he's been compared to Mike Hampton (the injury this year being an unfortunate coincidence), and while his low-90s fastball is nothing special, his curveball has repeatedly been described as "unhittable."