Handicapping who the Atlanta Braves could pick with their two first-round picks in the 2026 MLB Draft, especially this early on, is basically impossible. Not only do the Braves have a recent tendency of taking whoever falls to them in some recent drafts, but most high school and college programs are only just getting started this year, and we don't even know who all will emerge as viable first-round options just yet.
However, we do have some clues if you pay attention. The Braves obviously feel very comfortable taking arms that fit their ideal profile, and their current competitive window suggests that they may prioritize college players who can get promoted relatively quickly. Of course, Atlanta's farm system is famously light on position player talent, and with their draft pivot in 2025, a renewed focus on hitters can't be completely discounted.
Here are some early 2026 MLB Draft names to keep an eye on for the Braves
It is the beginning of March, so things are exceedingly likely to change between now and the draft this summer. Guys are going to get hurt, others are going to see their stocks soar after breakout performances, and the College World Series almost certainly will alter the draft landscape as well, and that is months away from even starting. However, there are some players that could be up the Braves' alley who could also be available when the Braves disappointingly pick ninth overall and/or may be in consideration for the 26th overall pick in 2026.
Cameron Flukey - RHP, Coastal Carolina
Until recently, things were trending in a direction where Cameron Flukey was not going to even be available when the Braves had their first pick. Thanks to having a four-pitch mix (fastball, slider, curveball, changeup) that has a chance to include at least three plus pitches as well as a track record of performing in college, there was a decent shot that he would end up being the first pitcher selected in the 2026 MLB Draft period.
However, a recent rib cage injury, which is going to put Flukey on the shelf for at least a few weeks, has changed things a good bit. Teams can often get spooked by any sort of injury in the draft, especially with first-round picks. If Flukey misses a bit of time and comes back strong, the odds that Atlanta will get a shot with their ninth overall pick are still pretty decent. If Flukey is out for longer than expected or is rusty upon his return, it would not be crazy to think that he might make it all the way to the Braves' next pick late in the first round, depending on his physical.
Cade Townsend - RHP, Ole Miss
Everyone loves a draft target with helium, and you will struggle to find a college pitcher anywhere that has more helium than Mississippi starter Cade Townsend. Townsend was a known commodity coming into the season and was lauded for having a diverse mix of pitches that displayed real upside, but there were concerns that he wouldn't throw enough strikes to stick in the rotation.
However, Townsend is throwing like a man possessed at the start of 2026. With a mid-to-upper 90's fastball, a pair of plus breaking balls, and a splitter headlining Townsend's six-pitch mix, the Ole Miss ace has dominated through his first 13.2 innings of 2026 as he has only given up a single run while striking out 25 batters against just two walks. Originally projected to me as more of a second-round pick, Townsend is playing his way into the first round conversation in a hurry, and it wouldn't be surprising at all if it were Atlanta that scooped him up.
Eric Becker - SS, Virginia
Switching gears to the position player side, it is very clear that the Braves are trying to figure out their long-term shortstop plans, especially with the free agent options the next couple of years being few and far between. If Atlanta had managed to get luckier in the draft lottery, they could have been in play to pick all-world draft shortstop prospect Roch Cholowsky from UCLA or other top names like Grady Emerson, Justin Lebron, or Jacob Lombard.
Unfortunately, the Braves will likely not get a shot at any of those guys, although Virginia shortstop Eric Becker could be an option. While Becker's power projection as a professional is questionable, he is a solid defender at shortstop who also possesses an advanced approach at the plate and a record of hitting at a high level in a tough college conference. If Becker continues his strong start to the spring, he could be in play at #9 for Atlanta. If he slows down, there are many, many worse things the Braves could do than scooping Becker up at 26.
Sawyer Strosnider - OF, TCU
This is purely a "hope this insanely hot hitter is still on the board" selection. Sawyer Strosnider began the 2026 season as a guy who was projected to get picked somewhere in the middle of the first round. The guy is loaded with raw physical tools and upside, and his freshman season was excellent, but there were some who thought that his swing decisions and pitch recognition still needed work if he was going to make it.
So far, it looks like Strosnider is rising to the occasion as he has a 1.280 OPS through his first 10 games of the season while showing both power and patience at the plate. If he keeps playing like this, Strosnider probably won't even be available at the ninth pick, but there are scenarios where Strosnider could be around for either of their first-round picks, and he would be a great position player to take a bit of a gamble on in either case.