Braves Prospects Who Can Still Make an MLB Impact in 2022
With a massive winning streak to begin the month of June, the Atlanta Braves have gone from one of the most disappointing teams in baseball to right in the thick of the NL playoff race.
There is plenty of talent already on the MLB roster, but they could still get positive contributions from some of their top prospects before the season is over, whether it's in a supporting role or stepping into an opportunity created by injury.
Ahead we've highlighted three prospects who can still make an MLB impact in 2022, focusing solely on players who have not yet appeared in the majors this year.
Prospects who have already seen MLB action in 2022: LHP Tucker Davidson, RHP Bryce Elder, OF Michael Harris, LHP Kyle Muller, RHP William Woods
RHP Nolan Kingham
A 12th-round pick back in 2018, Nolan Kingham is not often mentioned among the Braves' top pitching prospects, but he's off to a terrific start at Triple-A Gwinnett.
The 25-year-old has a 2.65 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and a 29-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 34 innings, and he has been bouncing between the starting rotation and the bullpen gaining experience in a variety of roles.
While an uptick in fastball velocity has helped him emerge as a viable MLB prospect, it's his strike-throwing ability that gives him a high enough floor to believe he can slot in at the back of an MLB rotation.
For now, he'll likely get his first MLB look out of the bullpen with guys like Kyle Muller and Bryce Elder ahead of him in the pecking order for spot starts.
RHP Victor Vodnik
The Braves gave Victor Vodnik a $200,000 bonus as a 14th-round pick in 2018, and after stretching things out as a starter during an injury-plagued 2021 season, he's back to pitching out of the bullpen.
With an undersized 6'0" frame and spotty command, he has long been viewed as a future reliever, and his stuff plays up in shorter stints with a fastball that can touch 100 mph and a swing-and-miss changeup.
The 22-year-old has a 2.12 ERA with two saves and 24 strikeouts in 17 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, and his stuff would play right now even if he does need further refinement of his command.
When all is said and done, he could slot in at the back of the MLB bullpen.
OF Drew Waters
Once upon a time, Drew Waters was a consensus Top 50 prospect in baseball and Braves fans were dreaming of a potential future outfield of Ronald Acuna Jr., Cristian Pache and Waters.
Fast forward a few years, and Pache is playing in Oakland while Waters has yet to make his MLB debut while struggling with strikeout issues in the minors.
The 23-year-old hit .240 with 142 strikeouts in 103 games at Triple-A last season, and his struggles have continued this year as he's batting .250/.287/.398 with five walks and 33 strikeouts in 115 plate appearances back at Triple-A Gwinnett.
A solid defensive outfielder with good speed, he's capable of contributing in multiple ways, and all it might take is a hot streak for him to get his first taste of the big leagues.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and accurate through Tuesday's games.