Who I think the Braves will draft in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft... 

 

After researching the players eligible for the 2012 MLB Draft, I think the Braves will go with either: Richie Shaffer, Stephen Piscotty, Victor Roache, or David Dahl.

I would assume Shaffer or Piscotty would be higher on the Braves list since they need to start getting realistic in replacing Chipper Jones. It’s questionable that Richie Shaffer or Stephen Piscotty would even available when the Braves make their pick (21st), but those are the two players I think they should target.

Richie Shaffer (GREENVILLE NEWS - OUT.)

Victor Roache played at Georgia Southern and he’s one of the best OF power bats in the draft. I think he might slip on some draft lists because of the school he went to and the fact that a lot of teams want to go with unpolished high school players. I think Roache could be a steal, much like Mikie Mahtook was to the Rays last season.

  David Dahl is a high school player out of Alabama who could appeal to the Braves. I think he’ll go early in the draft, but could fall because teams worry about his power ceiling. He’s athletic and has good tools and some have compared him to Johnny Damon. He would be an excellent choice (if he falls) because the Braves aren’t likely to re-sign Michael Bourn.

To sum it up: Stephen Piscotty and Richie Shaffer would fit the Braves mold of drafting college players that can play sooner, rather than later (Mike Minor, Sean Gilmartin, Navery Moore, etc.). They need a realistic option at third base after Chipper Jones and Shaffer and Piscotty are about as good as it gets in the draft this season. If they choose to look in the outfield, Victor Roache would give the Braves what they’ve been missing for the past decade (a power hitting, right handed, outfield bat). David Dahl would be a high value pick if he were to fall, but the odds of that happening are slim.

I guess we’ll see what happens on Draft day!