Last week, I talked about some Braves prospects that landed on national top prospect lists. The Braves have a pretty thin farm system, so it’s not surprising to see multiple lists littered with new faces from the 2023 class. Let’s take a look at how these guys are doing as they begin their professional careers. The 2021 and 2022 class updates are listed below:
- Braves: How is the 2021 MLB Draft class performing in 2023?
- Braves: How is the 2022 MLB Draft class performing in 2023?
Round 1, Pick 24: RHP Hurston Waldrep, Florida
Baseball America Ranking: Braves #2 Prospect
MLB Pipeline Ranking: Braves #2 Prospect
Key Stats: 2 GS, 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 10 K, 4 BB
The walks, as expected, are an issue early on with Waldrep, but he has looked really good in his first two starts, especially in the strikeouts department. He has already earned a promotion to High-A Rome.
Round 2, Pick 59: RHP Drue Hackenberg, Virginia Tech
Baseball America Ranking: Braves #9 Prospect
MLB Pipeline Ranking: Braves #17 Prospect
Key Stats: N/A
Hackenberg has not appeared with the Braves yet.
Round 2, Pick 70: RHP Cade Kuehler, Campbell
Baseball America Ranking: Braves #10 Prospect
MLB Pipeline Ranking: Braves #4 Prospect
Key Stats: N/A
Kuehler has not appeared with the Braves yet.
Round 3, Pick 94: SS Sabin Ceballos, Oregon
Baseball America Ranking: Braves #23 Prospect
MLB Pipeline Ranking: Braves #18 Prospect
Key Stats: 15 PA, .375/.667/.375/1.042, 3 H, 6 BB, 2 SB
As expected, Ceballos is playing well against the competition in rookie ball. He should get a promotion soon.
Round 4, Pick 126: RHP Garrett Baumann, Hagerty HS (FL)
Baseball America Ranking: Braves #22 Prospect
MLB Pipeline Ranking: Braves #19 Prospect
Key Stats: N/A
Baumann has not appeared with the Braves yet.
Round 5, Pick 162: OF Isaiah Drake, North Atlanta HS (GA)
Baseball America Ranking: Braves #21 Prospect
MLB Pipeline Ranking: Braves #23 Prospect
Key Stats: 63 PA, .228/.302/.298/.600, 5 SB
Drake is still 17 years old, so he’s still adjusting to Rookie ball. Five stolen bases and a double is encouraging for a guy his age.
Round 6, Pick 189: RHP Lucas Braun, Cal State Northridge
Baseball America Ranking: N/A
MLB Pipeline Ranking: Braves #29 Prospect
Key Stats: 2 GS, 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Solid start for Braun in Augusta; he has yet to give up a run or surrender a walk.
Round 7, Pick 219: RHP Justin Long, Rice
Key Stats: N/A
Long has not appeared with the Braves yet.
Round 8, Pick 249: RHP Cory Wall, William & Mary
Key Stats: 3.2 IP, 2.45 ERA, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Wall has already made three appearances out of the bullpen for Augusta and could be promoted quickly as a college super senior.
Round 9, Pick 279: RHP Riley Gowens, Illinois
Key Stats: 4.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Gowens has made one start and appeared out of the bullpen once for Augusta. As with Wall, the college super senior could move up through the system quickly if he pitches well.
Round 10, Pick 309: OF Pier-Olivier Boucher, Southern Illinois U Carbondale
Key Stats: 11 G, .244/.340/.293/.633, 5 BB, 4 SB
Boucher has already been promoted to Augusta at 23 years old after two years of college ball.
Other Notable Draft Class Members:
Round 11, Pick 339: OF Jace Grady, Dallas Baptist
Key Stats: 16 G, .213/.361/.319/.680, 5 2B, 7 SB, 12 BB
Grady has had an interesting start and has already been promoted to Augusta. Half of his ten hits are doubles, he’s walking pretty often, and he’s stealing bases.
Round 14, Pick 429: LHP Mitch Farris, Wingate
Key Stats: 2 G, 6.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
Farris has been good out of the bullpen in rookie ball; the only run he has allowed came off of a solo home run.
Round 20, Pick 609: C Will King, Eastern Kentucky
Key Stats: 8 G, .381/.483/.524/1.007
King is off to a blistering start at the plate; he has eight hits and six runs in 21 at bats. He’s still in the Florida Complex League, but if his defense comes along, that could change quickly.
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Photo: Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire
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