New Braves prospect rankings include big changes in Atlanta's MiLB pecking order

Major League Baseball released updated prospect rankings for all 30 teams this week and the Atlanta Braves' rankings saw a rather significant shakeup.

Baseball America isn't high on the Braves farm system, as they rank them 28th, and that's understandable. Atlanta doesn't have a ton of prospect depth, but that's mostly due to a lot of their talent graduating to the big leagues and being unable to tap into the international market for a few seasons.

However, the team has done a good job trying to start building back their prospect base. There are plenty of young and talented players to be excited for. Let's examine the Braves top 30 prospects for the 2025 season below.

Atlanta Braves 2025 prospect rankings include surprising changes

1. Drake Baldwin, C (MLB No. 63)
2. Cam Caminiti, LHP (MLB No. 89)
3. AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP
4. Hurston Waldrep, RHP
5. Nacho Alvarez Jr., INF

Atlanta's top five features the same players who were ranked in the top five in 2024. However, some re-ordering took place as Drake Baldwin blossomed last season and leaped from the Braves fifth-best to their number-one prospect. His jump simply bumped everyone below him down one spot.

Caminiti remains the team's best pitching prospect followed by Waldrep, Smith-Shawver, and infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. Baldwin and Caminiti are each ranked in MLB's top 100 prospect list. The two prospects most likely to make an impact at the big league level in 2025 include Baldwin and Smith-Shawver.

6. Drue Hackenberg, RHP
7. Owen Murphy, RHP
8. JR Ritchie, RHP
9. Garrett Baumann, RHP
10. Jose Perdomo, SS

Hackenberg was very impressive in 2024 with a 3.07 ERA, 62 walks, and 144 strikeouts over 129 innings. He did this across three levels (High-A, Double-A, & Triple-A) in his first full season. He led all qualified Braves arms in ERA and batting average against thanks to increased fastball velocity and a complimentary pitch mix. This earned Hackenberg a jump from ninth to sixth on the list.

Baumann jumped into the top 10 after being ranked 18th last year. He is an imposing figure on the mound at 6' 8" and has been good at pounding the zone. His fastball topped out at 98 mph in 2024 and he improved his slider and changeup. The main thing Baumann needs to do to take the next step is miss more bats but his groundball percentage was pretty good at 48.1%.

Murphy had Tommy John surgery last year and will hope to return to the success he was having before surgery. Ritchie returned from the procedure in 2024 and is on the right track to regaining his stuff. Perdomo hasn't gotten a chance to show what kind of player he is but 2025 should give a better idea of what the 18-year-old can do.

11. Lucas Braun, RHP
12. Didier Fuentes, RHP
13. Jhancarlos Laura, RHP
14. John Gil, SS
15. Luis Guanipa, OF

The biggest surprise in this section is the addition of Didier Fuentes who wasn't ranked in the preseason rankings last year. He was signed as an international free agent for $75,000 in 2022 when the Braves gained their full international bonus pool back. Fuentes spent 2024 in Low-A and impressed with a 2.74 ERA, 11.7 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, and a .200 BAA over 75.2 innings.

Braun also made a nice leap from 21st to 11th thanks to a good season. He flashed a 3.26 ERA over 143.2 innings with a 20.5% K-BB ratio. Gil is a new addition to the list as he made his pro debut last year with Low-A Augusta and has spent time at SS and 3B thanks to great range and a strong arm.

Lastly, Dylan Dodd was ranked 15th ahead of last season and isn't ranked in the top 30 this year. He had a horrible season in 2024 with a 5.35 ERA and a .297 BAA at Triple-A Gwinnett.

16. Blake Burkhalter, RHP
17. Diego Tornes, OF
18. Carter Holton, LHP
19. David McCabe, 3B
20. Cade Kuehler, RHP

Tornes is the standout here and he was an international signing in January 2025. The 16-year-old switch-hitter is renowned for his bat speed, power potential, and above-average arm. He will get his first taste of professional baseball this year and will be a player to monitor.

21. Luke Sinnard, RHP
22. Rolddy Munoz, RHP
23. Herick Hernandez, LHP
24. Nick Montgomery, C
25. Ian Mejia, RHP
26. Ethan Bagwell, RHP
27. Raudy Reyes, RHP
28. Adam Maier, RHP
29. Elison Joseph, RHP
30. Carlos D. Rodriguez, OF

Reyes being listed shows how talented he is after signing with the Braves for around $1.8 million during the signing period. He is another imposing pitcher at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Reyes' biggest selling point is his arm strength which allows him to touch 102 mph on his fastball. That pitch also has some impressive ride but he will need to develop some breaking balls and offspeed pitches to keep hitters honest.

Rodriguez was an interesting addition as he is the only free agent signing to land in the top 30 this year. He is valued thanks to great baserunning skills and the ability to make consistent contact. He boasted an 11.8% walk rate and a 10.4% strikeout rate in 2024. He will be great depth for the Braves should they need him at any point.

Pitching is still king in Atlanta's farm system with 21 of the top 30 prospects being pitchers. However, nine position players being ranked in the top 30 isn't too shabby. Atlanta will need to continue to work on developing position player depth in the future.

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