While there have been a ton of storylines that have come out of Atlanta Braves spring training this year, including their continued constant struggles with injuries, John Gil has been a big bright spot. While a familiar name to the Braves prospect diehards out there, Gil has seen his stock soar this spring thanks to some strong performances and glowing coverage from big-time outlets.
The praise has been deserved thus far as Gil has been great, but fans were still eager to see how he would match-up against the Yankees' top prospects in the Spring Breakout game this year. Gil did not disappoint in the game itself, although the start of the game didn't come without an embarrassing moment.
John Gil, the Braves’ No. 10 prospect, powers one over the left field wall! #SpringBreakout pic.twitter.com/OQndYOE1TH
— MLB (@MLB) March 22, 2026
Despite forgetting his jersey somehow, Braves prospect John Gil still found a way to impress in Spring Breakout
Yes, you read that right. Gil made the trip to the Spring Breakout venue only to realize that he had left his jersey in North Port. The short-term fix was that Gil had to wear Braves field coordinator Chris Swauger's jersey at the start of the game which led to some confusion. Thankfully, this story had a happy ending as a Braves employee drove up from North Port and met someone halfway to Tampa to hand a jersey off and get it to Gil in the game, but that wasn't a banner moment from Gil.
Thankfully, all was forgiven and forgotten a few innings later. In the top of the fifth inning, Gil cranked a hanging slider over the left field wall for yet another home run this spring. While Gil hasn't shown a ton of power as a pro before now, it is worth noting that he did hit 25 doubles and seven homers last season, and Braves officials have long suspected that he had a chance to find some real power. This spring, it seems like he found it and it doesn't look like a fluke.
Despite all of the extra attention and a very strong spring, it is very important to remember that Gil hasn't even turned 20 years old yet and has just six games above A-ball to his name. Braves fans should not expect Gil to push for the starting shortstop job this season unless things get truly dire (don't worry, we knocked on wood while typing that). He is still a work-in-progress and probably won't be ready until 2027 at the earliest.
All of that said, Gil has shown more than enough this spring to have Braves fans dreaming as to what it will be like once he does get his chance.