Ranking Braves Prospects by Position: Corner Infield
I'll be upfront about it - there's not a lot here
Ohhhh, boy.
If the catcher position rankings were Drake Baldwin and a couple of interesting guys, the corner fielders are...well...one guy looks kind of decent? Sort of?
To be fair, these rankings would look a bit different if Sabin Ceballos hadn't been dealt to the Giants or if I included guys like Luis Perdomo, who many feel profile better as a third baseman but haven't been moved over to the position yet. And it's worth mentioning that several middle infielders saw time at the corners last year, but I'm classifying them by the position they played the most. All that aside, this is a pretty barren selection of options with only one guy who will rank on any Top 30 prospect list. Maybe even a Top 40 list. Possibly Top 50? Oh, you get the point. To put it another way, after the first player on the list, the next four are fairly interchangeable.
Luckily, the Braves have Matt Olson and Austin Riley locked up through the 2030 season so there's not a ton of need here.
As always, these rankings are meant for fun, information, and discussion. I am a fan, not a scout.
1. David McCabe
Bats: Both / Throws: Right
Acquired: 4th Round, 2022
2024 Highest Level: Double-A
McCabe's 2024 season was limited to just 45 games, including ten in the Arizona Fall League, as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. He struggled to find his timing, hitting just .137 over 35 games with a pair of homers. It was a far cry from his 2023 campaign when he hit .276 with a .835 OPS and 17 homers. That season was split between Augusta and Rome.
If he's right, McCabe uses great bat speed to deliver high exit velocity. That leads to a good amount of extra-base knocks. His strikeout rate is acceptable and he shows plus patience at the plate, which led to 80 walks in 123 games in 2023. He even walked over once per game when he played in the Arizona Fall League after 2023. In his limited action last year, the walks were there, but the strikeouts were up as you might expect for someone who rehabbed much of the year.
Defensively, there are serious questions about whether McCabe can stay at third base. Ideally, it's where his value is at its highest. He didn't play there this year, logging 35 games as a DH and one game in Arizona at first. He seems to have the arm to man the hot corner, but the glove is another question. Because of his limited mobility, a move to the corner outfield seems doubtful. McCabe’s most likely future home is a 1B/DH type who can fill in at third base. With that in mind, his bat will need to carry him more than it has so far.
2. Will Verdung
Bats: Right / Throws: Right
Acquired: 13th Round, 2023
2024 Highest Level: A-ball
Verdung was a bit of an unknown coming out of Itawamba Community College (go Indians? We still use that?). He parlayed a strong summer run in the Cape Coastal Plain League, hitting .356 with a .982 OPS, into landing a selection by the Braves. But so far, the results haven't been impressive. In 141 games, mostly at Augusta, Verdung has hit .222 with a good .338 OBP but an unplayable .281 SLG. He originally got a run at second base after signing and played a little there this year, along with third, but logged his most time at first. So far, Verdung hasn't been able to build on his success from Itawamba and his summer league run. He's only 21 so there's still some hope here.
3. Drew Compton
Bats: Both / Throws: Right
Acquired: Undrafted, 2023
2024 Highest Level: High-A
At another time, Drew Compton might be an interesting prospect. Compton combines a decent hit tool with good contact skills. He screams line drives and rarely pops up the ball. He's also willing to take his walks. But like that part in Moneyball, it's time to talk about his only defect - he doesn't hit dingers. After three home runs in 37 games after signing in 2023, he hit just eight last year. A nearly 140 wRC+ is nothing to sneeze at, but a .125 ISO as a primary first baseman is not going to grab a ton of attention. Compton did have some decent, though not extraordinary, power years with Georgia Tech (27 homers between 2021-22). More than likely, Compton is nice organizational depth who can switch to third base on occasion.
Bats: Right / Throws: Right
Acquired: 20th Round, 2022
2024 Highest Level: Double-A
Defensively, Ogans is a plus at third base and can play a passable middle infield when shifted over. But offensively, things are lagging behind. To be fair, Ogans did have a productive 2023 campaign with a .265/.360/.397 slash at Rome - good for a 112 wRC+ and .351 wOBA. With his defense, he brings some value. But the problem is that there is zero margin of error with his limited offensive skillset. His offensive numbers drop just a little and his value is pretty minimal. In 2024, his first season at Double-A, his numbers dropped considerably. Ogans doesn't have a strong path to the majors right now.
5. Justin Janas
Bats: Left / Throws: Right
Acquired: 12th Round, 2022
2024 Highest Level: High-A
It's not that Janas has been bad as a professional. He just hasn't done much of anything to remember. A .264/.357/.358 slash would look at least a little better if he wasn't playing a traditional power position, but Janas has never hit for much pop. In 95 games at Illinois before being drafted, he hit only six homers. The Braves were probably hoping they could unlock more out of 6'2" frame with a good hit tool. It hasn't happened.
And that's that. In a few days, I'll look at the middle infield options which promise to be far more exciting than this lot.
2024 Prospect Rankings
Catcher
Corner Infield