Not only does the conclusion of the World Series signal the beginning of Major League Baseball's offseason, but it also allows many of the Internet's best scouting websites to publish their prospect rankings. Baseball America released their top-10 list for the Atlanta Braves on Monday. Here is a look at the players:
1. Julio Teheran, RHP
2. Arodys Vizcaino, RHP
3. Randall Delgado, RHP
4. Andrelton Simmons, SS
5. Sean Gilmartin, LHP
6. Edward Salcedo, SS/3B
7. Tyler Pastornicky, SS
8. Zeke Spruill, RHP
9. Christian Bethancourt, C
10. Brandon Drury, 3B
We breakdown the top-10 after the jump...
There should be no surprises with Teheran, Vizcaino and Delgado headlining the list. All three have been highly regarded for a long time and have bright futures with the organization.
Andrelton Simmons' ranking of No. 4 is very surprising. While rave reviews have been coming in lately from scouts across the country, Simmons suffers from a lack of on-base and power hitting skills. His defense is already top-notch and he has the potential to be a prolific base stealer, but until his approach rounds out at home plate, it's tough to see him ranked that high.
Sean Gilmartin was Atlanta's first round pick in the 2011 draft and he has done very well in the Arizona Fall League. A polished college pitcher out of Vanderbilt, Gilmartin could see a move to the Major Leagues by 2013.
Edward Salcedo is a prospect with all of the tools to become a superstar, but he is still incredibly raw both at the plate and in the field. Next season will be a big one for Salcedo going forward. Tyler Pastornicky is seemingly the exact opposite; while he will never turn into a star, he will -- at the very least -- become a solid utility player. Most see Pastornicky as the starting shortstop sometime in 2012.
The ranking of Brandon Drury at No. 10 is puzzling. Just 19-years old, Drury has played 115 games in rookie ball. While his OPS of .891 this past year is nothing to sneeze at, it is tough to imagine a player so far away from the Major Leagues being included into Atlanta's top-10 prospect list.