[Big Six]

Atlanta Journal-Constitution,, June 16, 2010

Braves' draft focuses on youth


The Atlanta Braves have historically had quite a bit of success drafting high school stars in the early rounds of the MLB draft. Players like Chipper Jones, Steve Avery, Jeff Francoeur, and Jason Heyward come quickly to mind.

Yesterday, the Braves once again elected to take their chances with youthful players, choosing high school athletes with their first two draft picks.

Drafting nineteenth, Atlanta chose shortstop Manny Contrera, a native of Mexico who attended Father Lopez High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. Contrera, 18, is a switch hitter who should develop better-than-average power for a middle infielder. However, it is his glove that draws the most raves from scouts. Contrera is considered a future Gold Glove defender who should have no problem remaining at shortstop throughout his career.

In a move that leaves themselves open to a fair share of second-guessing, the Braves used their second round pick to select Tom Haley, a hard-throwing teenage pitcher from Lindsay, Ontario. The Reds held the sixteenth pick in the draft.

Haley, 18, possesses a classic power pitcher’s frame—6’5”, 205 pounds—and gets his fastball to the plate at speeds touching 100 MPH. He dominated the competition he faced in eastern Ontario, but some skeptics have pointed out the uneven quality of that competition.

Braves general manager Frank Wren is, however, confident that Haley will develop into a major league pitcher. And he is choosing a somewhat unorthodox plan to get Haley to the Show.

“We’re going to groom him as a closer, beginning right now,” Wren explained.

“I’m just fine with that,” said Haley. “I think I’ll like pitching more often than every fifth day, and the challenge of closing out games will be a rush.”

Now the Braves face the challenge of signing their draftees. Contrera is said to be expecting a signing bonus in the $2 million range, while Haley should sign for approximately $1 million...