This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman’s Braves Beat e-newsletter. To learn the total e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it often in your inbox.
ATLANTA — As we digest what occurred this previous yr and put together for what needs to be a much less irritating season on the Main League degree, let’s take a look at among the Minor Leaguers who made a robust impression in 2024.
3 gamers who compelled their approach onto the radar
C Drake Baldwin (Braves’ No. 5 prospect)Baldwin’s inventory rose with the September success he had after being promoted to the Double-A degree in 2023, however he cemented his place as a future large league catcher this season. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter belted 12 homers and produced a .891 OPS in 334 plate appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett. He drew consideration throughout the baseball world when he homered within the Futures Sport. Atlanta’s coaches appreciated the potential Baldwin confirmed throughout the previous two Spring Trainings. They are going to now view him as large league prepared within the occasion Sean Murphy or Travis d’Arnaud is sidelined subsequent yr.
INF Nacho Alvarez Jr. (Braves’ No. 4 prospect)Alvarez drew consideration again in February as he skilled the early days of his first large league camp. The first query since he was taken within the fifth spherical of the 2022 MLB Draft was: What place may he play on the large league degree? Alvarez’s athleticism makes his extensive body considerably deceiving from a defensive perspective, however scouts nonetheless doubt his means to play shortstop each day. Alvarez hit 10 homers and had a .861 OPS in 289 plate appearances for Gwinnett this yr. He struggled mightily, placing out 10 occasions in 30 at-bats, throughout a late July emergency promotion to the Majors, however his potential worth ought to come into focus subsequent season, throughout his third full season of professional ball.
RHP JR Ritchie (Braves’ No. 7 prospect)Contemplating Ritchie was a first-round choice simply two years in the past, it is likely to be greatest to say he was relocated on the radar this previous summer time. The 21-year-old hurler returned from Tommy John surgical procedure on his proper elbow in June and posted a 2.90 ERA in 49 2/3 innings over 12 appearances (11 begins). He had a 26 % strikeout price and a 6.2 % stroll price over his last seven outings. Left-hander Cam Caminiti and right-handers AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep are the membership’s high three prospects, respectively, however Ritchie and Owen Murphy, who have been each first-round Draft picks in 2022, are nonetheless extremely regarded. Murphy underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in early June 2024.
2 breakout gamers to look at in 2025
RHP Garrett Baumann (Braves’ No. 18 prospect)Baumann appeared to be extra of a undertaking than a prospect when the Braves gave him an over-slot bonus after taking him within the fourth spherical of the 2023 MLB Draft. However the 6-foot-8, 20-year-old pitcher regarded like a blossoming prospect as he posted a 3.18 ERA over 19 appearances (18 begins) for Single-A Augusta this season. He tossed seven scoreless innings when he was promoted to Excessive-A Rome to make his last begin of the yr in September. The 35 % strikeout price Baumann constructed over his last 5 begins indicated he may proceed to overlook bats as he will get a greater really feel for his supply and arsenal.
RHP Didier Fuentes (Braves’ No. 20 prospect)The Braves might need discovered a steal in 2022, after they signed Fuentes for $75,000 on the worldwide market. Fuentes is a 19-year-old hurler with nice potential. He produced a 32.1 % strikeout price whereas posting a 2.74 ERA in 18 appearances (17 begins) for Augusta this season. Jhancarlos Lara, the Braves’ No. 14 prospect, might need higher stuff, however Fuentes confirmed the power to overlook bats with significantly better command than Lara confirmed this season.
1 large prospect query for subsequent season
Who may very well be subsequent yr’s Spencer Schwellenbach?Schwellenbach’s rise from the Excessive-A degree to frontline large league starter actually wouldn’t have been predicted at this level final season, and even when he joined Atlanta’s roster on Might 29. Smith-Shawver and Waldrep will not sneak up on anyone after each confirmed they weren’t fairly prepared for the Majors this season, however each may issue into subsequent yr’s large league plans. Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder additionally add to the group’s beginning pitching depth.
The Braves may want so as to add a starter with a short-term deal this winter. Chris Sale is controllable via 2026 and Reynaldo López is thru ’27. Spencer Strider is beneath contract via ’29, and Schwellenbach gained’t be eligible totally free company till after the ’30 season.
Nonetheless, even with the soundness these offers present for the instant future, the group’s long-term success might be influenced by the strides revamped the subsequent couple of years inside a pitching-heavy farm system that’s now fronted by Caminiti, the 18-year-old southpaw who ranks as MLB’s No. 92 prospect regardless of a professional profession that consists of only one look.
