Atlanta Continues To Focus On Pitching In Draft
5 years agoThe Atlanta Braves selected Michigan outfielder Jesse Franklin V with the 97th overall pick in the third round in the 2020 MLB draft on Thursday. They followed that up with Clemson pitcher Spencer Strider in the fourth round (126th overall) and Texas pitcher Bryce Elder in the fifth round (156th overall). Franklin is strong from the left side of the plate and has plus raw power, but he could have trouble hitting for average at the next level. Fringy arm strength on defense might shift him to left field. Strider didn't see much work in college because of Tommy John surgery, but he has a live right arm when healthy despite an undersized frame. Elder, another right-hander, doesn't light up radar guns but has a high floor as a college ace because of his ability to throw strikes with all four of his pitches. Three of Atlanta's four picks this year went towards pitching.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com