With the 2024 season set to begin for the Atlanta Braves, multiple prospects at the minor league level across the organization could be set for a breakout season. Here are three of those potential names, along with what they did a year ago.
NOTE: Prospect rankings mentioned below are according to MLB Pipeline
3 Atlanta Braves prospects who could breakout during 2024 season
OF Isaiah Drake
We begin with one of Atlanta's big takeaways from the recent Spring Breakout in Drake, who will begin 2024 as the Braves No. 22 prospect entering his first full professional season. The Atlanta, GA native, whom the Braves selected in the fifth round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of North Atlanta High School,
Breakthrough to Breakout: MLB Develops alum Isaiah Drake (2019 Hank Aaron Invitational; 2019 Breakthrough Series) drove in a run with a double in the fourth inning at the @Braves #SpringBreakout game with the @RedSox! 💪 #BreakthroughBoyz pic.twitter.com/PuuqNmPhwR
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) March 16, 2024
He has some of the best speed in the system at only 18 years old and is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he slashed .221/.312/.279 with eight RBI and nine SB across 18 games with the FCL Braves. Drake was one of the most impressive prospects during the Spring Breakout, driving in a run and stealing second base.
Drake is going to be a prospect to keep an eye on as he progresses through the Atlanta system. His speed and top-tier defense will be a massive weapon for the Braves in the future.
RHP Owen Murphy
One of the biggest names in Atlanta's system, Murphy enters 2024 ranked as the Braves No. 5 overall prospect. The former first-round prospect from the 2022 MLB Draft is coming off his first full season at the professional level in which he held a 6-4 record with a 4.72 ERA and 113:32 K/BB ratio across 89.2 IP between Low-A and High-A, and could very easily have his best single-season in 2024 where he is likely to reach the Double-A level.
Murphy started the Spring Breakout for Atlanta and tossed a scoreless first inning against the Red Sox prospects. Unfortunately, he would end up being tagged for five runs over three innings with one strikeout and two walks. He very much enjoyed his experience despite the loss, stating, “To be out there in front of fans who are excited about the prospects in this game, it’s unlike any other. It was great.”
The Braves have high hopes for Murphy to be a nice rotation piece for them down the road. He's still got some time to develop at 20 years old but he certainly has the tools to be a great part of the Atlanta rotation in the next few years.
RHP Jhancarlos Lara
After struggling a bit with walks across 30.1 IP in his initial professional debut in 2022, Lara had a solid season a year ago where he posted a 4-8 record with a 4.09 ERA and 114:42 K:BB ratio across 81.1 IP between Low-A and High-A.
Jhancarlos Lara had his best start of the season tonight in his Rome debut 👏🏼👀
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) September 8, 2023
4.2 IP
2 ER
1 H
2 BB
12 K
63% Whiff
this kid is specialpic.twitter.com/XSH36dPyp0 https://t.co/HyVATpOznz
The right-handed pitcher could easily take another step forward in 2024, in part due to his fastball, which is among the best in Atlanta's organization and enters the season as the Braves No. 13 prospect.
He has a lot of talent and potential and might be an under-the-radar prospect for the Braves. His pitch selection is excellent and could afford him a lot of success at the MLB level once he refines some things.
So, will these three Atlanta Braves prospects enjoy a breakout 2024 season? Time will ultimately tell but they all seem primed for a great year. Another year of development under their belts should gradually prepare them even more for the next step but they could surprise Atlanta and push their way through the organization quickly.