Looking at Atlanta's current depth chart, newly acquired Melky Cabrera is in left field, Nate McLouth is in center, and Matt Diaz is in right field. Buried four players down at right field is Braves super prospect Jason Heyward. Heyward enters the 2010 season at number one on MLB.com's Top 50 Prospects List. By the end of March, that depth chart could see some drastic changes. The possible future face of the Braves is also the possible starting right fielder for the 2010 season.

According to David O'Brien's Braves blog, Heyward enters the rapidly approaching 2010 Spring Training with an opportunity to win the right field job. As Bobby Cox said, Heyward is essentially skipping Triple-A if he's on the Braves roster to begin the season. Heyward has played a total of three games at the Triple-A level. Three. Those three games bring him to a total of fifty games played above Single-A. Heyward hasn't had much minor league seasoning at the levels that matter most. But that hasn't stopped him from projecting as a good player. According to the MLB.com scouting report, Heyward, a left-handed hitter, can hit lefties, possesses the abilities to hit for average and power, and can run well. Add that to his fielding ability and Braves officials call him a complete player.

The way Braves officials feel about Heyward makes Jordan Schafer the odd man out. Schafer's injury last season led the way for Atlanta to acquire McLouth. He's too good a player to not be playing everyday for the Braves. Barring injury, McLouth is a lock for that lineup - possibly at lead-off. Heyward is theoretically "battling" with Cabrera and Diaz. A player with Heyward's talent would be severely under-utilized if brought up to the major league level only to sit on the bench. In that case, he may as well remain at Triple-A and get playing time. If he has a good enough spring, Heyward will be Atlanta's right fielder. Heyward's presence means a move for Matt Diaz, according to the depth chart. Diaz could go to the bench and relieve Heyward against lefties or if he struggles. Diaz could also form a left field platoon with Cabrera. If Heyward sputters this spring, the Braves could use Cabrera in left and Diaz in right, or vice versa. The Braves have an interesting decision regarding Diaz and Cabrera. Both are good players. Diaz showed a lot last season for the Braves. He's also right-handed while McLouth, Cabrera, and Heyward are lefties. That, along with Diaz's 2009 season, could factor into his receiving playing time.

Heyward may only be 20-years old, but he's physically mature at 6'4'' and 245lbs. Not only do the Braves and MLB.com think he's a super prospect, but every conceivable baseball prospect ranking list has Heyward at number one. Heyward should begin the season with Atlanta. Despite being injury prone, he did well enough in the minor leagues. Overall, he hit .323/.408/.555 with 17 home runs, 63 RBI, 25 doubles, 4 triples, and 10 stolen bases. Of course, MLB pitching is different. He'll have all spring to get accustomed to it. Baseball Think Factory projects Heyward to hit .275/.341/.429 with 123 hits, 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 69 runs. Not too shabby for a 20-year old rookie. The Braves are essentially begging Heyward to win the right field spot. It's his to lose. He just has to have a good spring. That seems simple enough.

Heyward will be chased by high expectations, no matter whether he begins the season with the Braves against the Cubs or later. One thing is certain. Heyward is a very, very talented prospect. Along with Brian McCann, Yunel Escobar, Jair Jurrjens, and Tommy Hanson, Heyward will help make the nucleus of a team that Braves management hopes can return to the playoffs. Heyward's part in that return could begin on April 5 at Turner Field.

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