The Braves have one of many weirder organizations within the minors, being extraordinarily heavy on pitching whereas additionally with the uncommon occasion of getting a catcher as their high prospect. In complete, 13 pitchers rank inside their Prime 20, together with 5 arms that ought to comprise their beginning rotation by 2028. Here’s a have a look at the highest fantasy prospects for the Atlanta Braves!
THE TOP TIER
1) Drake Baldwin, C
2024 Stats (Double-A, Triple-A): .276 AVG/ .370 OBP/ .423 SLG/ 16 HR/ 2 SB/ 20.3 Okay%/ 14.1 BB%
Misplaced in a world of countless pitching, 23-year-old catcher Drake Baldwin is the Braves’ high prospect. Baldwin burst onto the scene in 2023, posting a .270/.384/.460 slash line with 16 homers and sustained his momentum in 2024. After a stellar 2024, Baldwin is now on the cusp of becoming a member of the key league roster and ought to be impactful as a fantasy asset.
Baldwin has a sophisticated offensive ability set for a catcher. His total contact price of 77.1% and the in-zone mark of 83.7% are respectable numbers. Baldwin had a 92.7 mph common EV with a 106.1 mph ninetieth percentile EV, each above MLB common. As well as, Baldwin maintains a stable strikeout price whereas getting on base at a excessive clip. With Sean Murphy coming off a disappointing 2024, Baldwin may very well be the first catcher in Atlanta by mid-summer.
2) Hurston Waldrep, SP
2024 Stats (ROOKIE, A, Double-A, Triple-A): 93.1 IP/ 97 Okay/ 23.7 Okay%/ 11.0 BBpercent2024 Stats (MLB): 7 IP/ 3 Okay/ 8.3 Okay%/ 22.2 BB%
Waldrep ran the gamut in 2024, making a minimum of one look at each degree, together with his MLB debut. He made 21 begins throughout 5 ranges and was good total. As a first-year professional, Waldrep eclipsed 100 innings pitched with a strikeout per inning, though his walks have been on the excessive aspect at over 12%. It was a stable debut for the 2023 first-rounder, and 2025 ought to current him with one other alternative to achieve the large leagues.
Waldrep was a two-pitch pitcher coming into the professionals however has come alongside properly, including two viable breaking pitches to his arsenal. The four-seam and splitter are nonetheless his two greatest pitches, and each have flashed as plus choices. As well as, Waldrep now has a extra refined curve and slider. If he can enhance his strike-throwing, Waldrep has the arsenal to turn into a mid-rotation MLB starter.
3) Owen Murphy, SP
2024 Stats (A+): 41 IP/60 Okay/ 38.7 Okay%/ 7.7 BB%
After a pedestrian professional debut in 2023, Murphy was amid a breakout in 2024 when he injured his elbow and underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in Might. Murphy was usually acceptable in his debut season however couldn’t put hitters away. This season, his stuff took a giant step ahead, evidenced by a near-40% strikeout price in early motion. With Tommy John now behind him, Murphy ought to get again on the mound late in 2025.
Murphy’s arsenal is sort of good regardless of missing a high-velocity fastball. The fastball shines inside its motion profile, and hitters can’t make stable contact attributable to deception inside its mechanics. Along with the fastball, Murphy has two distinctive breaking pitches: his curve and sweeper/slider. Each choices have flashed as plus and have sufficient differential of their traits to trigger issues for hitters.
4) AJ Smith-Shawver, SP
2024 Stats (A+, Triple-A): 89 IP/ 108 Okay/ 29.0 Okay%/ 10.8 BBpercent2024 Stats (MLB): 4.1 IP/ 4 Okay/ 22.2 Okay%/ 11.1 BB%
On the floor, 2024 was a tough season for AJ Smith-Shawver. In his 21 MiLB begins, he completed with a 4.85 ERA, over two runs increased than his 2.76 mark in 2023. I instantly felt responsible for judging AJSS on the numbers alone after discovering that he pitched with an injured indirect for many of the season, which impacted his efficiency.
Smith-Shawver has among the greatest stuff within the minors, together with his mid-90s fastball with practically 18 inches of iVB and virtually seven inches of arm-side run. He additionally contains a stable slider and curveball, however his greatest offspeed this season was a changeup. The change had over ten inches of arm aspect run, producing a whiff price of over 43%. Given his success with three pitches, including a plus changeup gave AJSS a fair increased upside.
5) Cam Caminiti, SP
2024 Stats (A): 3 IP/ 4 Okay/ 33.3 Okay%/ 0 BB%
Caminiti was the Braves’ high decide within the 2024 Draft, going twenty fourth total out of Saguaro HS (AZ). If the title sounds acquainted, he’s the cousin of former NL MVP Ken Caminiti, however the 18-year-old has loads of expertise to make his title. As a prep, Caminiti was the fourth-ranked prospect nationally and first amongst LHP after dominating on the plate and on the mound. Finally, Caminiti’s highest ceiling is as a pitcher.
At 6’2″, 205 lbs, Caminiti has a giant body for a young person and excellent athleticism as he performed centerfield when he wasn’t on the mound. His bodily instruments pair nicely with a three-pitch arsenal. His fastball sits within the mid-90s and has touched 98 mph. Caminiti additionally deploys a slider and curveball, however given his spectacular fastball, he hasn’t used them a lot within the prep circuit. Whereas each breaking pitches should be fine-tuned, the overwhelming perception is that they may turn into plus choices in time.
6) JR Ritchie, SP
2024 Stats (ROOKIE, A, A+): 49.2 IP/ 56 Okay/ 27.3 Okay%/ 8.3 BB%
The Braves slow-played Ritchie in 2024, his first full season since present process Tommy John in 2022. Ritchie made 12 appearances throughout three ranges with success, ending with a 2.90 ERA. As a result of surgical procedure, he’s thrown simply 77 1/3 innings as a professional, so elevated utilization in 2025 might be one thing to observe.
Ritchie has three pitches, together with a fastball, slider, and changeup. The fastball beforehand sat within the low-to-mid 90s however didn’t attain these ranges in his first season post-TJ. The slider is his greatest secondary. It has a pleasant sweep and has proven the flexibility to overlook bats constantly. Whereas nonetheless creating, the changeup has good fade motion and may assist offset the opposite two pitches. Ritchie has demonstrated above-average command and might want to depend on that, particularly if the velo stays down.
7) Jose Perdomo, SS
2024 Stats (ROOKIE): .250 AVG/ .318 OBP/ .250 SLG/ 0 HR/ 2 SB/ 20 Okay%/ 9.1 BB%
The Braves used practically all of their Worldwide Pool cash on Perdomo in 2024, giving him a $5M bonus. Perdomo was thought of essentially the most superior bat within the Worldwide class, and we’ve not seen sufficient in a small pattern measurement to make any willpower.
The consensus is that his hit instrument is the carrying trait as a prospect with hopes that energy will come. As Perdomo grows bodily, he’ll probably run much less and is already a median runner. 2025 ought to present the primary actual have a look at Perdomo; hopefully, it is going to come on the advanced degree as a substitute of the DSL.
Prospects Each Dynasty Supervisor Ought to Know
8) Drue Hackenberg, SP
2024 Stats (A+, Double-A, Triple-A): 129 IP/ 144 Okay/ 26.3 Okay%/ 11.3 BB%
The 22-year-old has three brothers who’re all professional athletes, and he’s nicely on his method to changing into the fourth. Hackenberg is bodily and athletic and has a stable three-pitch combine. Hackenberg ought to be a back-end starter within the Braves rotation if he can command his arsenal constantly.
9) Nacho Alvarez Jr., SS/3B
2024 Stats (Double-A, Triple-A): .284 AVG/ .391 OBP/ .401 SLG/ 10 HR/ 26 SB/ 20.0 Okay%/ 13.4 BBpercent2024 Stats (MLB): .100/.156/.100/ 0 HR/ 0 SB/ 33.3 Okay%/ 0 BB%
Alvarez has one of many higher names within the minors and has been productive over the past two seasons. His MLB debut wasn’t nice, however his monitor file of hitting for a excessive common whereas including some energy and pace bodes nicely for his return. His long-term place is a super-utility position participant within the majors.
10) Cade Kuehler, SP
2024 Stats (A, A+): 53 IP/ 48 Okay/ 20.8 Okay%/ 10.4 BB%
Kuehler had a stable professional debut in 2024, counting on his deep arsenal to restrict onerous contact and mitigate injury. It’s attention-grabbing to see the place his strikeouts find yourself after posting greater than a strikeout per inning collegiately however falling in need of that final season. The most important takeaway from Kuehler was a strike price of over 62% after combating constant command in his previous.
11) Lucas Braun, SP
2024 Stats (A+, Double-A): 143.2 IP/ 162 Okay/ 27.7 Okay%/ 7.2 BB%
Braun was a workhorse in his professional debut, logging 143 innings, greater than 40 over his earlier profession excessive. He did so whereas bettering his strikeout price to just about 28% and limiting walks. If Braun can repeat his efficiency in 2025, he’s a reputation to observe within the Braves group.
12) Carter Holton, SP
2024 Stats (ROOKIE): 2 IP/ 3 Okay/ 30.0 Okay%/ 40.0 BB%
Holton had a stable profession as a three-year starter at Vanderbilt. The left-hander has a small body (5’11”, 190 lbs) however touches the higher 90s together with his fastball and slider, with loads of bat-missing skill. There are potential considerations with sturdiness after Holton missed a portion of 2024 with an undisclosed arm damage.
13) Didier Fuentes, SP
2024 Stats (A): 75.2 IP/ 98 Okay/ 32.1 Okay%/ 6.9 BB%
After posting absurd numbers in A-ball final season, Fuentes might be a helium title this offseason. He generated a 14.9% swinging strike price with a CSW north of 32%. His arsenal is heavy fastball with a mixture of sliders and curves. It is going to be attention-grabbing to observe his effectiveness on the higher ranges when he should use his breaking stuff extra.
14) Luis Guanpia, OF
2024 Stats (ROOKIE, A): .219 AVG/ .286 OBP/ .291 SLG/ 2 HR/ 10 SB/ 23.0 Okay%/ 8.3 BB%
Guanipa obtained a $2.5M bonus within the 2023 J-15 class however has struggled mightily since turning professional. His greatest instrument thus far is his pace, but when he can’t enhance his hit instrument, Guanipa will plateau within the minors.
15) David McCabe, 1B
2024 Stats (Double-A): .137 AVG/ .284 OBP/ .214 SLG/ 2 HR/ 2 SB/ 35.9 Okay%/ 17.0 BB%
McCabe missed virtually all of 2024 following Tommy John surgical procedure and wasn’t good when he did play. However he was terrific in 2023, batting .275 with 17 homers and 10 steals. McCabe has good pop in his bat and will get on base at a excessive clip, giving him a stable ground. Finally, McCabe is probably going a Quad-A participant.
The Subsequent 5
Though these prospects don’t crack the Prime 15, dynasty managers ought to hold their eye on these 5 gamers.
16) Luis de Avila, SP
After a tough begin to his professional profession, the 23-year-old has posted consecutive seasons of a sub-4.00 ERA and profiles as a center reliever within the massive leagues.
17) Douglas Glod, OF
Glod was one other high-dollar worldwide prospect, however he fizzled out shortly. The ability potential remains to be there, however putting out over 30% of the time continues to carry him again.
18) Jhancarlos Lara, SP
Lara was on a pleasant trajectory coming into 2024, however his management betrayed him. After permitting practically seven walks per 9, Lara should clear up his arsenal and give attention to strike-throwing.
19) Adam Maier, SP
Maier missed all of 2023 following an inner brace process and had minimal success in his 2024 return. There are lots of unknowns about Maier, however his body and arsenal present hope {that a} high quality arm might emerge.
20) Garrett Baumann, SP
Baumann, a fourth-round decide in 2023, was first rate in his professional debut. He’s nonetheless a little bit of a venture, however at 6’8″, the Braves hope to capitalize on his excellent extension and bodily benefit.
