Braves shortstop prospects step a level up

That didn't take long.

Less than a month into the season, the Atlanta Braves are promoting their duo of prized shortstop prospects to the upper levels of the Minor Leagues. Dansby Swanson, 22 and the system's top prospect, is jumping from Class A Advanced Carolina to Double-A Mississippi. Ozzie Albies, 19 and ranked No. 3 in the organization, steps up from Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Swanson, the first overall pick from last year's Draft, whom the Braves acquired from the D-backs in December's Shelby Miller trade, is the No. 6 prospect in the game. Through 21 games in the Carolina League in his first full season, the Vanderbilt product hit .333/.441/.526 with a homer, 12 doubles, seven stolen bases in eight attempts and more walks (15) than strikeouts (13).

Albies, the No. 26 prospect overall, started the year with what was already considered a very aggressive assignment for the teenaged native of Curacao. He handled it with aplomb, reaching base in 21 straight games after a hitless Opening Day. He's batted .369/.442/.512 with five doubles, two triples and a homer across 22 games in the Southern League.

"Both very good players, special players that don't come around often," Atlanta director of player development Dave Trembley told the city's Journal Constitution. "Athletes! Both of them did what we asked. They earned the move up with the way they played -- very mature and consistent in their approach every day. Like I said, special."

According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Braves intend to keep the pair at different levels throughout their time in the Minors so that each can get daily action at shortstop, and when they reach the big leagues one of them will move to second base.