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January 15, 2008

Future Shock

Braves Top 11 Prospects

by Kevin Goldstein

Five-Star Prospects
1. Jordan Schafer, CF
2. Jason Heyward, RF
Four-Star Prospects
3. Brent Lillibridge, SS
4. Brandon Jones, LF
5. Gorkys Hernandez, CF
6. Jair Jurrjens, RHP
Three-Star Prospects
7. Julio Teheran, RHP
8. Tommy Hanson, RHP
9. Cole Rohrbaugh, LHP
10. Cody Johnson, OF
11. Jeff Locke, LHP

Just Missing: Joey Devine, RHP (now with Oakland); Steve Evarts, LHP; Kris Medlen, RHP

1. Jordan Schafer, CF
DOB: 9/4/86
Height/Weight: 6-1/190
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted: 3^rd round, 2005, Winter Haven HS (FL)
2007 Stats: .372/.441/.636 at Low-A (30 G); .294/.354/.477 at High-A (106 G)

Year In Review: A top-flight athlete, Schafer had one of the biggest breakouts of 2007, converting all of his impressive tools into baseball skills.
The Good: Schafer's tools rate average to plus across the board. He has a quick bat and rapidly developing power, projecting to hit 20+ home runs annually in the majors while adding 20-30 stolen bases due to his above-average speed. Few players in the minors can match his defensive abilities, as his instincts, range, and arm in center field all rate as plus-plus.
The Bad: While hardly a hacker, Schafer does need to tighten his approach a bit, and he still at times lunges at pitches, leading to a high strikeout rate. He needs to improve his situational hitting, and know when to focus more on shortening his swing and making contact.
Fun Fact: While 12 players have been drafted out of Winter Haven High, none have made it to the big leagues.
Perfect World Projection: An All-Star caliber center fielder with Gold Glove possibilities defensively.
Timetable: The Braves made no big attempt to find a replacement for Andruw Jones because they assume Schafer will be ready for the big leagues in short order. He'll begin 2008 in Double-A, with the expectation that he'll be in the big leagues by next year.

2. Jason Heyward, RF
DOB: 8/9/89
Height/Weight: 6-4/220
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted: 1^st round, 2007, Henry County HS (GA)
2007 Stats: .296/.355/.556 at Rookie-level GCL (8 G); .313/.353/.375 at Rookie-level Appy League (4 G)