Red Raiders in the Pros: Tyler Neslony

Tyler Neslony was an integral part of the Red Raiders success in the 2016 season. Helping Tech to a 47-19 record, a Big 12 Regular Season Championship, as well as helping advance the Red Raiders to their 2nd College World Series appearance in 3 years. As a senior, Neslony had a slash line of .306/.400/.536 to go with 10 HRs and 58 RBIs. His sweet, Chipper Jones-esque swing from the left side of the plate led him to be picked in the 9th Rd by the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves are in the middle of a rebuild that has seen them stack up with young talent through the draft, while dumping all their high salary contracts. Given time, this could land Neslony in the pros if he continues to progress the way he has through the first few months of the 2017 season. Traditionally an outfielder, the Braves seem to be splitting his time between Left Field and First Base, with just a handful of innings in Right. This is extremely interesting given the fact that the Braves have a budding superstar first-baseman in Freddie Freeman at the Major League level, as well as newly acquired Matt Adams from the Cardinals who is posting a .299/.354/.634 line.

I don’t really see Neslony being a long-term contender at firstbase , but it also could be just a way of keeping him in the lineup at Class A-Advanced Florida. Through 50 games, Neslony is hitting, .315/.384/.455 with 3 HRs and 20 RBIs. He does have a 2 to 1 K/BB ratio, but in today’s game that isn’t as troubling as it would have been 20 years ago. I would expect that as the season continues that Neslony would be promoted to AA-Mississippi and if not, assigned there to open the 2018 season.

The thing that’s really interesting about Neslony is the options he gives you in the lineup. In college, he was a middle of the order type player, but in a pro-lineup he’s more aptly suited for 2, 6 or 7. Coupled with his above average glove and arm in the outfield and learning how to play first base, will make him attractive to not only his current organization but others who are seeking to add valuable, high upside talent via trade.

In any case, Tyler Neslony seems to be in great position to move up through the ranks and we look forward to seeing him at the higher levels in the coming years.