ATLANTA — The final two MLB Drafts, particularly the one accomplished final month, have considerably altered and seemingly strengthened the Braves’ farm system.
4 of the highest 5 spots on MLB Pipeline’s midseason Braves Prime 30 Prospects listing are stuffed by gamers drafted throughout the previous two years. Cam Caminiti, Atlanta’s first-round choice in 2024, sits atop the listing and is the one participant from the system who ranks amongst MLB’s prime 100 prospects.
JR Ritchie, a 2022 choice, has vaulted to the second spot courtesy of the sumptuous season he has loved on the mound this 12 months. The following three spots are stuffed by gamers chosen on this 12 months’s Draft.
Tate Southisene is a highschool choice who already attracts one of many group’s prime grades for energy potential. Florida State product Alex Lodise was acknowledged as school baseball’s prime participant when he was given the Dick Howser Award this 12 months. Briggs McKenzie is a high-upside southpaw who was dedicated to LSU earlier than he obtained a $2.9 million signing bonus.
Right here’s a take a look at the Braves’ prime prospects:1. Cam Caminiti, LHP (No. 81 total per MLB Pipeline)2. JR Ritchie, RHP3. Tate Southisene, SS4. Alex Lodise, SS5. Briggs McKenzie, LHP
COMPLETE BRAVES PROSPECT COVERAGE
Greatest bounce/fallHere are the gamers whose ranks modified essentially the most from the preseason listing:
Soar: JR Ritchie, RHP (Preseason: No. 8 | Midseason: No. 2) — Ritchie has posted a 2.73 ERA over 19 mixed begins at three ranges this 12 months. He has labored into the sixth inning in three of his 4 Triple-A begins and accomplished six innings in two of these outings. Ritchie missed most of 2023 due to Tommy John surgical procedure, and the restoration went into the 2024 season. So that is his first full season on the skilled stage.
Fall: Jhancarlos Lara, LHP (Preseason: No. 13 | Midseason: No. 23) — Lara struggled as a starter at Double-A to start the season. He continued to battle inconsistencies as a Triple-A reliever in Might and June. However his nice promise began to indicate as he notched 19 strikeouts and posted a 0.75 ERA over 12 innings (six appearances) from July 6-Aug. 5. He threw 4 scoreless innings in a spot begin on Sunday.
New to the listHere are the gamers added to the Prime 30 from exterior the group:No. 3, Tate Southisene, SS (Draft)No. 4, Alex Lodise, SS (Draft)No. 5, Briggs McKenzie, LHP (Draft)No. 11, Conor Essenburg, OF (Draft)No. 24, Landon Beidelschies, LHP (Draft)
Greatest toolsPlayers are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future instruments — 20-30 is effectively under common, 40 is under common, 50 is common, 60 is above common and 70-80 is effectively above common. Gamers in parentheses have the identical grade.
Hit: 55 — Diego TornesPower: 50 — Alex Lodise (Tate Southisene, Diego Tornes)Run: 70 — John GilArm: 60 — Conor EssenburgDefense: 55 — Nacho Alvarez Jr. (Luis Guanipa, Carlos D. Rodríguez)Fastball: 65 — Rolddy MuñozCurveball: 55 — Luke Sinnard (Drue Hackenberg, Cade Kuehler)Slider: 60 — Cade Kuehler (Briggs McKenzie, Rolddy Muñoz, Carter Holton)Changeup: 55 — Cam CaminitiSplitter: 65 — Hurston WaldrepControl: 55 — Luke Sinnard (Lucas Braun, Jhancarlos Lara)
