The people over at MLB Pipeline have been rolling out their Top 30 prospect list and today they took on the NL East, and more specifically, the Atlanta Braves.
The @Braves have an MLB-high 17 right-handers on their new Top 30 Prospects list, including Nos. 1-5. No other team has more than three in their top 5.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 4, 2024
Here's Atlanta's hurler-heavy 2024 Top 30: https://t.co/rkwbbybRGu pic.twitter.com/ghJvTZOZJ6
MLB-high 17 right hand pitchers
There is no surprise as to who sits at the top of the list as AJ Smith-Shawver retains his top prospect ranking from 2023, with Hurston Waldrep coming in at number two.
One of the newest additions to the farm system is prized international prospect Jose Perdomo, who signed for $5M out of Venezuela. He is listed at #7 overall - making him the second-highest positional prospect on the list, trailing Ignacio "Nacho" Alvarez, who was also in the top 10 and last year's top international signing,
Luis Guanipa, who signed for $2.5 million lands at #9 on the list. Also coming from the international side of things is Jhancarlos Lara who signed for just $10,000 back in 2021 and now lands at #13. Eight international players show up on Pipeline's Top 30 list, showing just how much talent can be gained from the signing period while also showing just how hard the Braves were hit by those sanctions.
Pipeline also covered the best tools within the organization - coming in with the highest rated tool in the organization is 2023 draftee Isiah Drake, younger brother of NFL running back Kenyan Drake. He comes with a 70 speed grade which would make him one of the fastest players in all of minor league baseball. Jose Perdomo, again just 17 years old, comes in with a 55-hit tool that ties him with Nacho Alvarez - only making Jose's stateside debut that much more interesting.
While Jhancarlos is the largest riser in the system, again going from not ranked in 2023 to 13th overall, catcher Drake Baldwin saw his stock increase from the #26 prospect to #11.
This shows just how talented the Braves farm system is despite being thin from promotions and years of not being able to sign international free agents. It's on the rise and Atlanta will have a thriving farm system again soon.