How many pitching prospects will we see in Atlanta this season? The Atlanta Braves’ pitching depth seems to get tested every year, and while fans are hopeful injuries will decline in 2026, you still have to anticipate at least a few spot starts from Triple-A arms.
Given that expectation, it would be wise to take a look at which pitchers might be called upon first. Of course, Bryce Elder and Joey Wentz are the less exciting, practical options to step in after an injury to a rotation member. But rather than focus on them, let’s turn our attention to an exciting prospect who is on the verge of a promotion to Atlanta.
#Braves No. 9 prospect Lucas Braun has allowed one run or fewer in four of his last five outings.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/lPFFmqfN3M
— Columbus Clingstones (@GoClingstones) July 29, 2025
Lucas Braun could be poised to make a few starts in Atlanta next season
Haven’t we talked about JR Ritchie enough this offseason? Well, yes—but he’s not the pitching prospect we’ll be focusing on in this piece. Instead, we’ll turn our attention to Ritchie’s expected rotation mate in Gwinnett: Lucas Braun.
The Braves’ No. 12 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, pitched very well at the upper minor league levels last season. The bulk of Braun’s time was spent with Double-A Columbus, where he made 23 starts, posted a 3.99 ERA, and struck out 134 hitters over 130.2 innings. Braun finished the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he shined, recording a 1.42 ERA across 19 innings.
Braun has improved in each season as a pro, and his ability to throw all five of his pitches for strikes gives him a relatively high floor as a prospect. The 24-year-old right-hander doesn’t have the most overpowering stuff in the farm system, but he profiles as a highly projectable arm.
As of now, most projections expect Braun to pitch in Atlanta at some point in 2026. What role he pitches in remains to be seen. With a great spring, Braun could pitch himself into Atlanta's plans very quickly. Braun may not generate the same buzz as some of the flashier arms in the system, but his consistency, pitchability, and steady progression put him squarely on the Braves’ radar. Given Atlanta’s track record of leaning on its depth and Braun’s success at the upper levels, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him factor into the big-league pitching picture sooner rather than later.