At the moment, the Atlanta Braves have only two prospects currently considered as Top 100 overall across the sport according to MLB Pipeline: AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep.
A pair of pitchers, Smith-Shawver ranks as baseball's No. 61 overall prospect, while Waldrep, who was Atlanta's first-round pick a year ago, sits at No. 81. Two highly-touted players in their own right, could these two, however, be joined shortly by another Braves prospect on the Top 100 list?
Spencer Schwellenbach could be the next Braves prospect to join MLB’s Top 100 list
Atlanta's No. 3 overall prospect, Spencer Schwellenbach was picked by the organization in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft, out of Nebraska, where he was one of college baseball's top two-way players.
However, Schwellenbach was drafted solely by Atlanta as a pitcher, with his professional debut going on to be pushed back a year to 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, which caused the right-hander to miss all of the 2022 campaign.
As for last season, Schwellenbach's professional debut came impressively, making a total of 16 starts across the Low-A and High-A levels. Across those 65 innings, Schwellenbach, who also played in the MLB Futures Game during the All-Star break last year, went 5-2 with a 2.49 ERA and 55:16 K/BB ratio, while also holding opponents to a combined .207 average against.
Certified smoke from @GoEmperors RHP Spencer Schwellenbach.
— Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA) April 7, 2024
Mid-90s with cut/ride action 💨
Efficient first outing of the year for the #BravesCountry 2021 2nd round pick going 6.0 scoreless on just 67 pitches. pic.twitter.com/IcBHt5knNe
Fast forward to this season as well, and the right-hander has only continued that impressive level of play in 2024, one that could see him become a Top 100 overall prospect in the near future.
Pitching in High-A Rome once again, Schwellenbach has so far made five starts with the Emporers, owning a 2-1 record with a 2.96 ERA and 28:6 K/BB ratio across 27.1 innings pitched. Opponents are also batting for a combined .226 AVG so far this season against him, with the 23-year-old's career numbers in High-A now sitting at a 2.63 ERA and a 42:7 K/BB ratio across 41 innings (eight starts).
So, when looking ahead, not only is Schwellenbach likely to see the Double-A level for the first time shortly because of these numbers, but the right-hander will also continue to rise through the ranks of baseball's top prospects as well, assuming he keeps up this level of play. Could that come with an appearance on MLB Pipeline's Top 100?