The Atlanta Braves are lucky to have a great development team in their minor league system. Many of the organization's top prospects have blossomed into some of baseball's premier players. While the farm system is currently ranked as one of MLB's worst, it's due to it being depleted by the advancement of players over the last few years such as Michael Harris II, Spencer Schwellenbach, Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, etc.
Atlanta is doing their best to restore the farm system but that will take some time. However, there are always prospects ready to take the next step each year. We took a look at the Braves' current prospects and predicted who that next breakthrough prospect will be in 2025.
Which talented Braves prospect will break out in 2025?
Nick: Drake Baldwin - It is hard to make the case for any other name, based simply on lack of opportunity. The Braves are built to win now and because of that, there is very little chance for a surprise prospect to emerge. As long as Atlanta avoids a serious injury Baldwin is the one player likely to garner consistent ABs in the 2025 season.
Fred: No one - Barring an injury or a trade, the only rookie in the system likely to get enough PA is Baldwin. This isn’t a shot at Baldwin, but it’s hard to have a breakout year splitting time at a position, particularly a catcher unless your name is Pudge Rodriguez or Adley Rutschman. If we trade for Marcelo Mayer, everything changes.
Steven: Drue Hackenberg - I had originally placed Baldwin in this spot but his breakout happened last season. He is likely to make his MLB debut by the summer if he continues his offensive success from 2024. However, I think Braves fans need to keep an eye on RHP Drue Hackenberg in 2025. The righty produced a 3.07 ERA last season between Rome, Mississippi, and Gwinnett with 62 walks and 144 strikeouts. He attacks the strike zone and gets decent ground ball outs thanks to his sinker. Once he refines his command, look for Hackenberg to join the backend of the Braves rotation.
That's a sweet 16 strikeouts for Drue Hackenberg!
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 21, 2024
The @Braves' No. 9 prospect sets a single-game high in the Minors this season and a @mbraves franchise record: pic.twitter.com/Jm1iQehCry
Mitchell: Drake Baldwin - It’s hard to imagine anyone but Baldwin.
Chase: Drake Baldwin - I’m not sure any prospect makes a huge impact on the Major League roster in 2025. Although, I could see a young pitcher entrenching themselves into the rotation if the Braves don’t add another starter. However, without knowing which arm will break out it’s easiest to bet on Drake Baldwin continuing to ascend in his progression and making himself a big question mark for next offseason.
Eric: Raudy Reyes - While I think Baldwin is very good, I also just think his breakout came last year and he is a pretty known commodity. I’m going to go with Reyes here as he is easily the most intriguing name the Braves added in international free agency this year. A teenager who is already throwing triple-digit fastballs, Reyes could be a guy that jumps onto folks’ radar very quickly especially if he can find some secondary pitches he can rely on.