Sunday, October 26

ATLANTA -- Michael Harris II played just one full Minor League season before making his MLB debut two months into the 2022 season. Spencer Schwellenbach was two months into what was going to be his first unrestricted professional season when he suddenly became a mainstay within Atlanta’s rotation.

Top National League Rookie of the Year candidate Drake Baldwin was targeted to spend this past season’s first few months at the Triple-A level. As for Hurston Waldrep, he might not have reached the Majors this year had the MLB Speedway Classic game against the Reds not been suspended by rain. 

Who will be the next significant contributors from the Braves’ farm system, which was fortified by this past summer’s MLB Draft? Three of the team’s top five prospects, per MLB Pipeline, were drafted in July.

To get a better feel for which players might be headed to Atlanta over the next couple years, here’s a look back at this year’s Minor League season.

Three players who forced their way onto the radar this year

RHP Luke Sinnard (Braves No. 16)

Remember how the Braves drafted Schwellenbach knowing he needed Tommy John surgery? Well, they may have also struck gold with their decision to take Sinnard in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft, as he neared the end of his recovery from the same elbow surgery.  The 6-foot-8 right-hander impressed as he introduced himself to pro ball this past summer. He posted a 2.86 ERA, constructed a 28.3% strikeout rate and an 8.8% walk rate over 16 combined starts (72 1/3 innings) for Single-A Augusta and High-A Rome. More impressively, he finished the season strong, notching 22 strikeouts and allowing just four runs over his final three starts (16 innings). He is currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

SS John Gil (Braves No. 13) 

The 19-year-old infielder was too advanced for Rookie-level ball, and not quite ready for the Single-A level when he hit .204 with a .552 OPS over 39 games for Single-A Augusta in 2024. But he legitimized his prospect status while hitting .258 with a .730 OPS over 100 games for Rome this year. Overall, he stole 54 bases with a 71.8% success rate and had a 14.2% strikeout rate, noticeably better than the 23.2% K rate he had with Augusta the previous year. He played six games with Double-A Columbus to end this past season, but he may start 2026 with High-A Rome.

RHP Lucas Braun (Braves No. 12)

Braun caught the eyes of some Major Leaguers as he experienced his first big league camp last year. The 24-year-old right-hander posted a 3.67 ERA and constructed a 24.3% strikeout rate, while walking just 6.6% of the batters he faced over 149 2/3 combined innings with Double-A Columbus and Triple-A Gwinnett. He allowed just three earned runs over 19 innings, as he made his final three starts of the season for Gwinnett. The rising prospect saved his best for last, needing just 73 pitches to limit Indianapolis to two hits over seven scoreless innings on Sept. 17.

Two possible breakout prospects to watch next season

RHP Owen Murphy (No. 8)

Murphy generated excitement about his development as he returned from Tommy John surgery and posted a 1.32 ERA over six starts for High-A Rome. He will now attempt to match the success second-ranked prospect JR Ritchie and Schwellenbach both had during their first unrestricted seasons back from the elbow surgery. 

SS Alex Lodise (No. 4)

OF Conor Essenburg (No. 9) and LHP Briggs McKenzie (No. 5) might have higher ceilings. But if you're looking for a 2025 Draft selection who could possibly impact Atlanta’s roster within the next couple years, Lodise is the best choice. The 21-year-old Florida State product won the Dick Howser Award, given to college baseball’s best player, this past summer. He posted a .692 OPS in 25 games for Rome. Given Atlanta’s lack of middle infield depth, Lodise could make a rapid rise during what will be his first full professional season.

One big question for 2026: Where will Ritchie end 2026?

Waldrep’s emergence over the season’s final two months lessened Atlanta’s level of need in the starting pitching department this winter. As for Ritchie, his successful rise to the Triple-A level gave the Braves reason to feel better about their MLB-ready rotation depth.

Ritchie’s first full pro season without TJ surgery restrictions began with him breezing through seven starts at Rome. The 22-year-old hurler then handled Double-A before posting a 3.02 ERA over 11 starts for Gwinnett. The 11.1 percent walk rate he produced at the Triple-A level indicates there’s still room for development. But there’s certainly reason to believe this 2022 first-round pick will reach the Majors in 2026.

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