On March 21, 2026, the Atlanta Braves will send some of the top prospects in their system to face prospects from the Yankees organization in the annual Spring Breakout game. This year’s group is headlined by a position the Braves haven’t had much opportunity to highlight in recent years: shortstop.
Pitchers have often drawn the most attention from Braves fans during these prospect showcases, but this year’s group offers more balance with a trio of shortstops who could legitimately develop into Atlanta’s shortstop of the future. Here’s a closer look at each player and what makes them intriguing prospects.
John Gil pulls homers on back-to-back days in the Grapefruit League 🌴
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 1, 2026
The @Braves prospect is just 19-years-old in big league camp: pic.twitter.com/5xujWPqSje
Trio of shortstop prospects will be must-watch during Braves' Spring Breakout game
When the Braves brought back Ha-Seong Kim on a one-year deal for 2026, part of the reasoning was the organization’s reluctance to commit significant money over multiple seasons to a solid, but imperfect player. At the same time, the Braves now have several shortstop prospects who could quickly play their way into the team’s long-term plans, with their first opportunity to showcase that potential coming in the Spring Breakout game against the New York Yankees.
John Gil is the first name to watch, as the 19-year-old has already impressed this spring with his power-speed combination. Currently ranked as the organization’s No. 10 prospect, Gil could quickly rise through the system if he builds on the strong season he put together with Low-A Augusta last year.
Next is Tate Southisene, the Braves’ first-round selection in last year’s MLB Draft. The 22nd overall pick experienced some early struggles while transitioning to professional baseball, albeit in a small sample size. Southisene will have an opportunity to quiet some of those early doubts with improved swing decisions and overall approach during this matchup against the New York Yankees prospects.
Finally, this trio is rounded out by Alex Lodise, a former Florida State Seminoles baseball standout. The oldest of the group, Lodise is an exciting 21-year-old bat who was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award just a year ago. His professional debut featured a bit too much of a free-swinging approach, but the upside remains high if he can refine his plate discipline.
While pitchers have often taken center stage in past prospect showcases, this year’s Spring Breakout offers Braves fans a chance to get an early look at a promising wave of shortstop talent. Whether it’s the power-speed upside of John Gil, the first-round pedigree of Tate Southisene, or the offensive potential of Alex Lodise, each brings a different path to Atlanta’s future in the middle infield.
The matchup with the Yankees’ prospects may be just one game, but it could offer a glimpse of which of these young shortstops is ready to take the next developmental step in 2026—and begin the journey toward becoming the Braves’ long-term answer at shortstop.