The Braves have one of the more bizarre organizations in the minors, being extremely heavy on pitching while also with the rare instance of having a catcher as their top prospect. In total, 13 pitchers rank inside their Top 20, including five arms that should comprise their starting rotation by 2028. Here is a look at the top 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 K%/ 14.1 BB%
Lost in a world of endless pitching, 23-year-old catcher Drake Baldwin is the Braves’ top 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 joining the major league roster and should be impactful as a fantasy asset.
Baldwin has an advanced offensive skill set for a catcher. His overall contact rate of 77.1% and the in-zone mark of 83.7% are respectable numbers. Baldwin had a 92.7 mph average EV with a 106.1 mph 90th percentile EV, both above MLB average. In addition, Baldwin maintains a solid strikeout rate while getting on base at a high clip. With Sean Murphy coming off a disappointing 2024, Baldwin could be the primary catcher in Atlanta by mid-summer.
2) Hurston Waldrep, SP
2024 Stats (ROOKIE, A, Double-A, Triple-A): 93.1 IP/ 97 K/ 23.7 K%/ 11.0 BB%
2024 Stats (MLB): 7 IP/ 3 K/ 8.3 K%/ 22.2 BB%
Waldrep ran the gamut in 2024, making at least one appearance at every level, including his MLB debut. He made 21 starts across five levels and was good overall. As a first-year pro, Waldrep eclipsed 100 innings pitched with a strikeout per inning, although his walks were on the high side at over 12%. It was a solid debut for the 2023 first-rounder, and 2025 should present him with another opportunity to reach the big leagues.
Waldrep was a two-pitch pitcher entering the pros but has come along nicely, adding two viable breaking pitches to his arsenal. The four-seam and splitter are still his two best pitches, and both have flashed as plus offerings. In addition, Waldrep now has a more refined curve and slider. If he can improve his strike-throwing, Waldrep has the arsenal to become a mid-rotation MLB starter.
3) Owen Murphy, SP
2024 Stats (A+): 41 IP/60 K/ 38.7 K%/ 7.7 BB%
After a pedestrian pro debut in 2023, Murphy was amid a breakout in 2024 when he injured his elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery in May. Murphy was generally acceptable in his debut season but could not put hitters away. This season, his stuff took a big step forward, evidenced by a near-40% strikeout rate in early action. With Tommy John now behind him, Murphy should get back on the mound late in 2025.
Murphy’s arsenal is quite good despite lacking a high-velocity fastball. The fastball shines within its movement profile, and hitters cannot make solid contact due to deception within its mechanics. In addition to the fastball, Murphy has two unique breaking pitches: his curve and sweeper/slider. Both offerings have flashed as plus and have enough differential in their characteristics to cause problems for hitters.
4) AJ Smith-Shawver, SP
2024 Stats (A+, Triple-A): 89 IP/ 108 K/ 29.0 K%/ 10.8 BB%
2024 Stats (MLB): 4.1 IP/ 4 K/ 22.2 K%/ 11.1 BB%
On the surface, 2024 was a rough season for AJ Smith-Shawver. In his 21 MiLB starts, he finished with a 4.85 ERA, over two runs higher than his 2.76 mark in 2023. I immediately felt guilty for judging AJSS on the numbers alone after discovering that he pitched with an injured oblique for most of the season, which impacted his performance.
Smith-Shawver has some of the best stuff in the minors, including his mid-90s fastball with nearly 18 inches of iVB and almost seven inches of arm-side run. He also features a solid slider and curveball, but his best offspeed this season was a changeup. The change had over ten inches of arm side run, generating a whiff rate of over 43%. Given his success with three pitches, adding a plus changeup gave AJSS an even higher upside.
5) Cam Caminiti, SP
2024 Stats (A): 3 IP/ 4 K/ 33.3 K%/ 0 BB%
Caminiti was the Braves’ top pick in the 2024 Draft, going 24th overall out of Saguaro HS (AZ). If the name sounds familiar, he is the cousin of former NL MVP Ken Caminiti, but the 18-year-old has plenty of talent to make his name. As a prep, Caminiti was the fourth-ranked prospect nationally and first among LHP after dominating at the plate and on the mound. Ultimately, Caminiti’s highest ceiling is as a pitcher.
At 6’2″, 205 lbs, Caminiti has a big frame for a teenager and outstanding athleticism as he played centerfield when he wasn’t on the mound. His physical tools pair well with a three-pitch arsenal. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and has touched 98 mph. Caminiti also deploys a slider and curveball, but given his impressive fastball, he hasn’t used them much in the prep circuit. While both breaking pitches must be fine-tuned, the overwhelming belief is that they will become plus offerings in time.
6) JR Ritchie, SP
2024 Stats (ROOKIE, A, A+): 49.2 IP/ 56 K/ 27.3 K%/ 8.3 BB%
The Braves slow-played Ritchie in 2024, his first full season since undergoing Tommy John in 2022. Ritchie made 12 appearances across three levels with success, finishing with a 2.90 ERA. Due to the surgery, he’s thrown just 77 1/3 innings as a pro, so increased usage in 2025 will be something to monitor.
Ritchie has three pitches, including a fastball, slider, and changeup. The fastball previously sat in the low-to-mid 90s but did not reach those levels in his first season post-TJ. The slider is his best secondary. It has a nice sweep and has shown the ability to miss bats consistently. While still developing, the changeup has nice fade action and should help offset the other two pitches. Ritchie has demonstrated above-average command and will need to rely on that, especially if the velo stays down.
7) Jose Perdomo, SS
2024 Stats (ROOKIE): .250 AVG/ .318 OBP/ .250 SLG/ 0 HR/ 2 SB/ 20 K%/ 9.1 BB%
The Braves used nearly all of their International Pool money on Perdomo in 2024, giving him a $5M bonus. Perdomo was considered the most advanced bat in the International class, and we’ve not seen enough in a small sample size to make any determination.
The consensus is that his hit tool is the carrying trait as a prospect with hopes that power will come. As Perdomo grows physically, he will likely run less and is already an average runner. 2025 should provide the first real look at Perdomo; hopefully, it will come at the complex level instead of the DSL.
Prospects Every Dynasty Manager Should Know
8) Drue Hackenberg, SP
2024 Stats (A+, Double-A, Triple-A): 129 IP/ 144 K/ 26.3 K%/ 11.3 BB%
The 22-year-old has three brothers who are all pro athletes, and he’s well on his way to becoming the fourth. Hackenberg is physical and athletic and has a solid three-pitch mix. Hackenberg should be a back-end starter in the Braves rotation if he can command his arsenal consistently.
9) Nacho Alvarez Jr., SS/3B
2024 Stats (Double-A, Triple-A): .284 AVG/ .391 OBP/ .401 SLG/ 10 HR/ 26 SB/ 20.0 K%/ 13.4 BB%
2024 Stats (MLB): .100/.156/.100/ 0 HR/ 0 SB/ 33.3 K%/ 0 BB%
Alvarez has one of the better names in the minors and has been productive over the last two seasons. His MLB debut wasn’t great, but his track record of hitting for a high average while adding some power and speed bodes well for his return. His long-term position is a super-utility role player in the majors.
10) Cade Kuehler, SP
2024 Stats (A, A+): 53 IP/ 48 K/ 20.8 K%/ 10.4 BB%
Kuehler had a solid pro debut in 2024, relying on his deep arsenal to limit hard contact and mitigate damage. It’s interesting to see where his strikeouts end up after posting more than a strikeout per inning collegiately but falling short of that last season. The biggest takeaway from Kuehler was a strike rate of over 62% after struggling with consistent command in his past.
11) Lucas Braun, SP
2024 Stats (A+, Double-A): 143.2 IP/ 162 K/ 27.7 K%/ 7.2 BB%
Braun was a workhorse in his pro debut, logging 143 innings, more than 40 over his previous career high. He did so while improving his strikeout rate to nearly 28% and limiting walks. If Braun can repeat his performance in 2025, he is a name to watch in the Braves organization.
12) Carter Holton, SP
2024 Stats (ROOKIE): 2 IP/ 3 K/ 30.0 K%/ 40.0 BB%
Holton had a solid career as a three-year starter at Vanderbilt. The left-hander has a small frame (5’11”, 190 lbs) but touches the upper 90s with his fastball and slider, with plenty of bat-missing ability. There are possible concerns with durability after Holton missed a portion of 2024 with an undisclosed arm injury.
13) Didier Fuentes, SP
2024 Stats (A): 75.2 IP/ 98 K/ 32.1 K%/ 6.9 BB%
After posting absurd numbers in A-ball last season, Fuentes will be a helium name this offseason. He generated a 14.9% swinging strike rate with a CSW north of 32%. His arsenal is heavy fastball with a mix of sliders and curves. It will be interesting to monitor his effectiveness at the upper levels when he must use his breaking stuff more.
14) Luis Guanpia, OF
2024 Stats (ROOKIE, A): .219 AVG/ .286 OBP/ .291 SLG/ 2 HR/ 10 SB/ 23.0 K%/ 8.3 BB%
Guanipa got a $2.5M bonus in the 2023 J-15 class but has struggled mightily since turning pro. His best tool to date is his speed, but if he cannot improve his hit tool, Guanipa will plateau in the minors.
15) David McCabe, 1B
2024 Stats (Double-A): .137 AVG/ .284 OBP/ .214 SLG/ 2 HR/ 2 SB/ 35.9 K%/ 17.0 BB%
McCabe missed almost all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery and wasn’t good when he did play. But he was terrific in 2023, batting .275 with 17 homers and 10 steals. McCabe has good pop in his bat and gets on base at a high clip, giving him a solid floor. Ultimately, McCabe is likely a Quad-A player.
The Next Five
Although these prospects do not crack the Top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eye on these five players.
16) Luis de Avila, SP
After a rough start to his pro career, the 23-year-old has posted consecutive seasons of a sub-4.00 ERA and profiles as a middle reliever in the big leagues.
17) Douglas Glod, OF
Glod was another high-dollar international prospect, but he fizzled out quickly. The power potential is still there, but striking out over 30% of the time continues to hold him back.
18) Jhancarlos Lara, SP
Lara was on a nice trajectory entering 2024, but his control betrayed him. After allowing nearly seven walks per nine, Lara must clean up his arsenal and focus on strike-throwing.
19) Adam Maier, SP
Maier missed all of 2023 following an internal brace procedure and had minimal success in his 2024 return. There are many unknowns about Maier, but his frame and arsenal provide hope that a quality arm may emerge.
20) Garrett Baumann, SP
Baumann, a fourth-round pick in 2023, was decent in his pro debut. He’s still a bit of a project, but at 6’8″, the Braves hope to capitalize on his outstanding extension and physical advantage.
Most thorough preseason coverage I’ve seen so far, Martin – good job; I’ll be watching some of our guys in both Rome & in Columbus this season!!
GQ