Sports Page Atlanta

Matthew Pouliot of Rotoworld came out with his mid-season top 150 prospects in the world of Minor League Baseball. What I like about what he does is that he gives analysis of many of the top players and predicts when they will break into the majors.

The Atlanta Braves had 6 players in the top 150, which is tied for 7th in the majors for the most players by a team on the list and it is also tied for 1st among National League teams.

Outfielder Jason Heyward led all Braves and was selected 9th overall. Pouliot predicts that he will make the majors in 2011. Other Braves include: Tommy Hanson, Gorkys Hernandez, Jordan Schafer, Brandon Jones and Freddie Freeman.

Here is the complete Top 150 Minor League Baseball prospects.

Atlanta Braves top prospect Jordan Schafer has been suspended for 50 games for the use of human growth hormone (HGH), a violation of the drug policy in minor league baseball.  Schafer, who is currently the starting CF for the Mississippi Braves (AA), will begin serving his suspension immediately.  There is no reliable test for HGH, so the circumstances surrounding the situation are still unknown.  Several insiders predicted, prior to the season, that Schafer could be roaming center field at Turner Field as early as later this season.

Outfielder Jordan Schafer was sent down to Double A-Mississippi as the Atlanta Braves made some cuts. Schafer is just 21 and many experts think he will be a future superstar and be the starting center fielder next season.

In grapefruit league action this spring, Schafer hit .316 (12-for-38) in 17 games. Last year in the minors, he hit .312 with 15 home runs and stole 23 bases.