Here are the best tools in the Braves' minor league system at the end of 2024

The Braves organization has become synonymous with pumping out top young players over the years, and they are slowly building their farm system back up. It is certainly hard to encore top talents such as Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider, and Michael Harris II, but their minor league teams are starting to beef back up with young studs.

Best Power

Drake Baldwin, the Braves' number 5 prospect, is one of the top hitters across the entire Braves minor league system, especially regarding power. Baldwin had himself quite a year in the power department, smashing 16 long balls across Double and Triple-A. He also boasted a .483 slugging percentage to pair with a .889 OPS through 71 games of Triple-A, showing that the boost in competition didn't do much to faze him.

With Baldwin continuing to mash in the minors, he is on track to meet his ETA of 2025. With Travis d'Arnaud's expiring contract and Sean Murphy's continual offensive woes, it might be safe to say Baldwin will be hitting the big leagues next season barring any setbacks.

Best Hit Tool

Although going through a rough 8-game stretch in the majors, Braves number 4 prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. remains one of the best-hitting players in the Braves' system. Alvarez posted a .297 average to go with a .861 OPS through 64 games in Triple-A this season. Alvarez has also been able to maintain a steady on-base percentage through every level of the minors, doing no different again this season putting up a .398 OBP.

Regardless of the poor offensive performance when he was initially called up, Alvarez will most likely meet his ETA of 2025. With time, Alvarez has a chance to become a major offensive contributor for this already-stacked Atlanta Braves lineup, and will surely have his next major league opportunity shortly.

Best Defender and Best Speed

When it comes to the best defensive and speed tool, the Braves' number 11 prospect Luis Guanipa takes the cake. Guanipa is only 18 years old and playing center field for the Braves' Single-A affiliate, but his mixture of speed and defensive excellence makes him a lock-down outfielder while being a threat to run on the basepaths. The young outfielder swiped 10 bags this season after stealing 20 the year prior, so with some more development, he will become a serious threat when he reaches base.

It is currently hard to tell if Guanipa will reach his ETA of 2027, but the Braves are surely counting on it after giving him a seven-figure bonus last season. If Guanipa taps into his plus bat speed and raw power to help develop his hitting attributes, he has the potential to fly through the minors.

Best Off-speed/Breaking Ball

When it comes to pitching, the Braves certainly have that covered in the minors. In terms of the best breaking ball in their farm, that would be the Braves' number 3 prospect, Hurston Waldrep. While his two-game stint with the big league roster was less than ideal, he still boasts a heater in the high 90s and most importantly, his disappearing splitter. His splitter is by far one of the best offspeed/breaking ball pitches in the entire system and will be heavily relied upon throughout his career.

Waldrep did successfully reach his ETA of 2024 since he had been called up this year amidst the Braves' injury parade, but he will undoubtedly get more shots in 2025. If he can improve his command and have better use of his slider, he has a good chance to become a solid part of the Braves rotation.

Best Fastball

While there are many strong fastballs throughout Atlanta's farm system, Braves number 14 prospect Jhancarlos Lara overpowers the rest. Lara's fastball sits between 96 and 98 miles per hour and can touch 100 if he dials back. He's proven the dominance of his fastball this year with his ability to harvest whiffs on it, and it pairs perfectly with his 90-mile-per-hour slider and mid-to-high 80s changeup.

It is uncertain if Lara will make his 2025 ETA, as he is currently in Double-A. Regardless, it doesn't seem like an if situation just when, as he continues to carve up minor league hitters with his fastball-slider combo. With some improvement in his command, the fireballing right-hander will soon be giving big leaguers fits with his nasty stuff.

Best Command

Finally, the best command and control goes to Braves' number 6 prospect Owen Murphy. Murphy posted very impressive numbers through 7 starts in High-A this season, including a 1.54 ERA and 60 strikeouts through 41 innings pitched. Most impressively, he only walked 12 batters throughout this time, giving him 2.63 walks per 9 on the season.

Murphy did not make his 2024 ETA, but he will likely have a chance to make his debut in 2025. With his continued control and some added velocity on his fastball, Murphy can become a staple in the Braves' rotation or bullpen.

With the Braves' farm system depleting after all of the callups over the recent years, they are beginning to build it back up with some talented young prospects. Don't be surprised if you see some of these players making big splashes on the major league roster soon.

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