As the minor league season comes to a close, it’s time to start looking at each organization and determine who is the team’s Fantasy Baseball Minor League Player of the Year.

First, the criteria:

• The player spent the majority of their time in the minor leagues in 2010 – this has some flexibility, but if someone was just a September call-up, or had a short cup of coffee in the Major Leagues, they are going to be eligible.
• The player must be primed to make an impact in 2011 – this is fantasy baseball we’re talking about, so someone who is 18-years old and dominating in Single-A just doesn’t hold much value.

Other then that, everything is pretty much fair game.  Let’s kick things off with the Atlanta Braves.  And the award goes to…

First Baseman Freddy Freeman

Maybe this is a little anticlimactic, but he certainly deserves the honor.  He spent the entire year at Triple-A, prior to his September recall (though, with Derrek Lee having been acquired he shouldn’t see much time), and was incredibly impressive:

461 At Bats
.319 Batting Average (147 Hits)
18 Home Runs
87 RBI
73 Runs
6 Stolen Bases
.378 On Base Percentage
.521 Slugging Percentage
.359 Batting Average on Balls in Play

The power is the number that most concerns you, considering the position that he plays.  However, there are some underlying metrics that are encouraging, that the home runs will come for the 20-year old, (he turns 21 in less then two weeks) in time.

First of all is his 35 doubles, which placed him second in the International League (Chris Richard of the Tampa Bay Rays had 39).  Secondly, his line drive rate of 23.4% is extremely impressive (though his 29.7% fly ball rate is not).

If you take the doubles and line drives into account, it is not impossible to see him add strength and power as he gets a little bit older.  With that, some of these line drives and doubles should get more air under them, clearing the fences.

Is it a guarantee?  Of course not, but you certainly have to like the underlying metrics and what could come of them.

Prior to the season Baseball America ranked him as the Braves second best prospect, saying the following:

“He drives the ball with consistency with a sweet, fluid swing, and scouts believe his doubles will become homers as he gains experience and strength. Comparisons to Keith Hernandez and Mark Grace with more power have become commonplace because of his defense, which managers rated the best among first basemen in both the Carolina and Southern leagues last season.”

That just helps to add to the hope that the long ball will develop in time.

The average is a little bit inflated, with the BABIP, but there is reason to believe that he could maintain a .280+ mark in the Major Leagues.

First of all, if we are to expect more power, that will mean less balls put in play and therefore a higher average.  Also, he does not strikeout an excessive amount, with 84 Ks (a strikeout rate of 18.2%).  Granted, that’s not an elite mark, but it certainly is not one that would dissuade us from believing in him.

There was a concern at one point during the year about his ability to hit against left-handed pitching.  He alleviated that, however, by ending the year hitting .268 (33-123) with 4 HR and 17 RBI against southpaws.

He certainly lived up to his preseason hype and with Lee set to be a free agent at year’s end, it is very conceivable that the cost conscious Braves turn to Freeman to start at first base next year (Troy Glaus and Eric Hinske aren’t the answer).  That certainly should put him on fantasy radars, with September serving as his opportunity to get his feet wet.  That way, he can hit the ground running in April.

Others considered:

• Mike Minor (6 W, 3.44 ERA, 146 K in 120.1 IP) – being installed into the Braves rotation took him out of consideration
• Julio Teheran (8 W, 2.55 ERA, 154 K in 137.2 IP) – at 19-years old, and the depth the Braves have in the rotation, it’s hard to imagine him making a major impact in 2011

What are your thoughts?  Who deserved the award?  What do you like/dislike about Freeman?

Make sure to check out our Prospect Tracker, for links to the latest updates on all the top prospects in baseball, by clicking here.

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Read more Atlanta Braves news on BleacherReport.com

Right fielder Jason Heyward has had two four-hit games this week, and he matched his career high with four RBI Monday.

The production at the plate would lead one to believe that the bone bruise in his left thumb is healed. It isn’t. It’s just that it has come to the point where he doesn’t remember what a healthy thumb feels like. He’s playing with what he has.

Heyward isn’t trying to do too much with his at-bats, and he really hasn’t had to, because Omar Infante is invariably on base in front of him, and Martin Prado is such an offensive threat behind him that he is getting pitches to hit.

In his past 14 games, Heyward is batting .463 (25-for-54) with four home runs and 12 RBI.

The Atlanta Braves activated Troy Glaus from the 15-day disabled list Thursday after the infielder missed 14 games with left knee inflammation. Glaus spent his rehab stint at Triple-A Gwinnett playing exclusively at third base, the position he played most of his first 11 years before the Braves signed him as their first baseman last winter.

Freddie Freeman didn't make the same splash as Jason Heyward in his big league debut. Still, the 20-year-old first baseman had no complaints about his first game with the NL East-leading Braves. He hit a couple of balls hard, made a nice scoop of a low throw and, best of all, Atlanta beat the New York Mets 4-1 on Wednesday night for its fifth straight win.

Tommy Hanson knew exactly how long it had been since his last win. "July 3," he said without a bit of hesitation. He doesn't have to remember that date anymore. Hanson finally got some run support and won for the first time in nearly two months, allowing just one hit in seven shutout innings to lead the Atlanta Braves to their fifth straight win, 4-1 over the New York Mets on Wednesday…

Derek Lowe will skip his scheduled start Friday for the Atlanta Braves because of lingering pain in his right elbow. Lowe received a cortisone shot and had hoped to go out for his regular off-day throwing session Wednesday, but his elbow was still too sore. The NL East-leading Braves decided to shut him down for a few days, hoping that will relieve his discomfort and allow him to finish out the…

The long-awaited MLB September roster expansion has finally arrived, and the Atlanta Braves have wasted no time in making moves to improve their team’s chances at a division title.

The September call-ups will mean a chance at redemption for outcast players like Troy Glaus, Nate McLouth, and Kenshin Kawakami, but for Jason Heyward’s bunk buddy, Freddie Freeman, the expanded roster presents an opportunity for a strong first impression on the first-place Braves.

On Tuesday, Freeman was named the International League Rookie of the Year. In Triple-A Gwinnett, he has given Braves fans hope for the future and reason to believe that the Braves can be successful for a long time, batting .319 and swatting 18 homers with 87 RBI.

However, when Freeman enters the Braves clubhouse on Wednesday with absolutely no Major League experience, he will begin a fresh start with a clean slate and no statistics to hold him back.

Freeman is expected to be the Braves’ Opening Day first baseman in 2011, but for right now, he is nothing but a rookie in the shadow of his roommate that is ready to learn from his new teammates and finally prove that his production on both sides of the ball can translate to the big show.

This September, Freeman will not be the only one with something to prove.

Three of the announced Braves to be promoted or activated disappointed and eventually hurt the Braves ball club earlier this year.

Nate McLouth, Kenshin Kawakami, and Troy Glaus will be given a second chance to attempt to prove to everyone in the Braves organization and fanbase that they can contribute to Atlanta’s hunt for October and are worth the millions of dollars currently being invested in them.

If the struggling Derek Lowe continues to be troubled by discomfort in his right elbow, Kawakami may be thrown directly into the starting rotation. Before being optioned to Gwinnett, Kawakami started 15 games for the Braves, going 1-9 with a 4.75 ERA.

Also joining the team on Wednesday are relievers Mike Dunn and Scott Proctor.

They will be joined by catcher J.C. Boscan. The veteran catcher, now at the age of 30, has been in the Braves’ farm system since he was just 17 years old. With his move up to Atlanta, he will be the Braves’ fourth native of Venezuela, along with infielders Alex Gonzalez, Martin Prado, and Omar Infante.

In 8.1 innings pitched with Atlanta this year, Dunn has not allowed a run.

These new and familiar faces joining the Atlanta Braves can only help the Braves’ chances and deepen an Atlanta bench and bullpen that have already proven to be two of the most productive and efficient in baseball.

This is an exciting time for the Atlanta Braves and their fans.

Read more Atlanta Braves news on BleacherReport.com

David Ross racked his brain, trying to recall if he'd ever hit a grand slam. "Some of the guys were asking me about that," the Braves catcher said. "I can't remember one in college, the minors — ever." He's got one now. Ross' first career slam capped a seven-run fifth inning made possible by Luis Castillo's error, and the Atlanta Braves routed the New York…

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer

Martin Prado says Jason Heyward is the key to the Atlanta Braves' postseason hopes. "Like I say, if he goes, we go," Prado said. Heyward is recovering his power stroke just in time for the Braves' September playoff push. Heyward homered and drove in four runs, Prado drove in three runs and the NL East-leading Braves beat the New York Mets 9-3 on Monday night.