As is usually the case this time of year, the mock drafts are now being released as MLB Pipeline put out its first one last week. There will be many more to follow, but it’s always interesting to look at the initial projections and who the Braves are expected to select. From now until draft time, we’ll take a look at some of these mock drafts to hopefully get a better understanding of the prospects likely available.

The 2025 MLB Draft will take place from July 13-14 in Atlanta, with the first three rounds on Day 1, followed by all remaining picks on Day 2. Below are the Braves picks for the first five rounds.

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1^st Round: 22^nd pick

2^nd Round: 60^th pick

3^rd Round: 96^th pick

4^th Round: 127^th pick

Compensation: 136^th pick (comp for Max Fried)

5^th Round: 157^th pick

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Some mock drafts cover multiple picks for teams, but today, we’re only looking at the Pipeline’s projected first-round pick for the Braves, right-handed pitcher J.B. Middleton.

An extended look at RHP JB Middleton (@SouthernMissBSB)… 8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 12 K, 1 BB @PG_Draft https://t.co/LJakWdKNZg pic.twitter.com/vb3laVbpHV

— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 29, 2025

Scouting report

Middleton is a 21-year-old starting pitcher for the University of Southern Miss. As an undersized prospect (6-foot, 178 lbs) lacking the prototypical pitcher’s body type, he makes up for his smaller build with plus stuff and above-average velocity. Middleton wields a 93-95 MPH fastball (60 grade), a slider (60) and changeup (55), and MLB Pipeline gives him a 50-grade regarding his control.

Transitioning from the bullpen to the starting rotation to begin this season, Middleton has flourished in his new role. As of Sunday, he’s striking out 10.3 batters per nine to go with a 2.00 ERA in 13 starts thus far (85.1 IP) with Southern Miss. The 2025 campaign is his third season of college ball. And though he lacked much attention coming out of high school, his career numbers at the collegiate level explain why he’s projected to go in the first-round of the upcoming draft. For his career at Southern Miss, Middleton has been a strikeout machine, averaging 10.8 K/9 and a 3.14 ERA in 140.1 innings.

Most reports rave about Middleton’s arsenal and how he’s able to get whiffs with seemingly all of his offerings, especially his slider, which he sometimes throws as a cutter. The only real knock is his build. Although, “quick-twitch” is a term I’ve seen used a few times to describe Middleton; and if that’s accurate, it seems fair to assume he makes up for his lack of size.

Main takeaway

The Braves system is currently lacking when it comes to up-and-coming prospect hitters — something this year’s draft appears to have more of than in previous years, so there is a viable argument to be made that the organization should perhaps go for one of the better bats in this class. Despite that, Middleton appears to be the real deal, especially for a guy projected to be available towards the back-end of the first-round.

The Braves, and any team for that matter, can never have too much pitching, given how difficult it is to predict how these guys will develop. In fact, a lot of the current top-tier prospect pitchers in the system that have been drafted in the last couple of years — guys like Cam Caminiti, Owen Murphy and Hurston Waldrep (all top-10 prospects) — are either currently injured, coming off Tommy John surgery, or are looking more and more like future relievers. Middleton is no different in that it isn’t a guarantee he’s a potential starter in the majors.

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Photo: David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire