Braves rumors: 3 local products Atlanta could take in the MLB Draft

No. 1 local product the Braves could take in MLB Draft: SS Colin Houck

MLB.com has Colin Houck ranked No. 12 among draft prospects, which makes it a pretty sweet deal that The Athletic’s Keith Law recently mocked him to the Braves at No. 24.

The Braves won’t find a better prospect from their own backyard in this draft, even if the shortstop is expected to fall out of the Top 15. At 18 years old, he’s going to need some polish, but the talent is there.

Houck was the Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year at Parkview HS, which also produced Braves first baseman Matt Olson. In addition to his clear ability as a shortstop on the baseball diamond, he’s a capable football player as well. He’s a three-star quarterback.

With a commitment in place to Mississippi State, Houck could go the college route, whether he intends to play baseball or football. However, that seems unlikely unless he slips all the way out of the first round. And the Braves shouldn’t let that happen.

It doesn’t matter than Atlanta has no shortage of shortstops in their system. When an elite prospect from a powerhouse school in your region is available in the draft, you take him.