MLB.com

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

Chipper Jones will be remembered as one of the greatest players in franchise history. (AP Photo)

"We're looking for the best talent available, whether that be college or high school players," Braves director of scouting Roy Clark said. "We're always looking for a Braves-type of player that has the ability to help us win championships and the makeup that separates championship clubs from the others."

While many organizations are beginning to show more interest in college players, the Braves are still showing plenty of interest in the high school ranks. They have selected a collegiate player with sandwich picks both of the past two years, but haven't used their top selection on a college player since taking Mike Kelly out of Arizona State in 1991.

When it comes time to make selections, knowing just how hard it's going to be to sign a potential draftee is just as important as knowing his arm strength and bat speed. Each of the past three years, the Braves have taken a player from the state of Georgia with their top selection and have had little trouble signing these draftees.

Adam Wainwright, Macay McBride and Jeff Francoeur, the organization's top selections in the past three drafts, spent most of their childhoods watching the Braves advance to the postseason every year and hoping that they may one day find themselves playing in Atlanta.

"The state is one of the best there is when it comes to talent and it's been good to us," Clark said. "They want us as much as we want them."

The offseason's flurry of free agent acquisitions and departures had a definite impact on this year's draft. The signing of Paul Byrd cost the Braves a first-round selection. But the losses of Tom Glavine and Mike Remlinger granted them the 35th and 36th selections, which will come during the supplemental first round.

Organizational needs: The Braves have built much of their success with an abundance of arms that have been brought through their system and they continue each year to find some of the country's top young pitchers.

"You can't go against the strength of the draft," Clark said. "This year it appears the strength of the draft is pitching."

While the Braves will likely draft a few pitchers in the early rounds, they will also be seeking to further strengthen the catcher position. Brian McCann, another Georgia high school product who was taken in the second round last year, is one of the few legitimate catchers in the system, who has a legitimate shot at one day playing in the Majors.