The Braves may have one of the weaker farm systems in baseball following a bunch of graduations and trades, but few organizations are better at acquiring and developing talent. They have plenty of time to replenish their system while their young major-league talent plays out their current contracts, and there remain some notable names worth keeping an eye out for on the farm in 2023. MLB Pipeline recently updated its top 30 prospect list for the Braves. Here are some rankings that stood out.
#1 Jared Shuster
Shuster clocked in as the #1 prospect in the system, which I agree with. As far as upside potential, he may not be the flashiest prospect, but he’s coming off a terrific 2022 and has a chance to make his MLB debut this season. Shuster projects as a middle to back of the rotation piece in the majors.
#4 AJ Smith-Shawver
Smith-Shawver is the pitcher I’ll be keeping the closest eye on this season. As far as upside goes, he has the highest ceiling in the system, flashing a fastball in the high-90s with the ability to rack up strikeouts in bunches. Baseball America has Smith-Shawver as the top prospect in the Braves organization. I would like to see a little more, but he could become the consensus top prospect with a big 2023.
#10 Dylan Dodd
Dodd turned heads last season and is already making a name for himself early in Spring Training. The Braves have a loaded rotation that is especially deep, but I expect Dodd to make his MLB debut at some point this season. At 24-years-old, he doesn’t have much more he needs to prove in the minors.
#16 Luis Guanipa
Guanipa is the Braves latest top international signing. For a few years, they were hamstrung by international restrictions from the transgressions of John Coppolella. That’s no longer the case, and Guanipa is a stud from Venezuela that should be an exciting young player to watch grow throughout his time in the minors.
#24 David McCabe
McCabe was the Braves fourth-round selection in last year’s draft. He blasted 30 home runs last season for UNC Charlotte, averaging a home run in every 9.4 at-bats. His power alone makes him an intriguing prospect, but he also has elite plate discipline, walking more than he strikes out.
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Photographer: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire
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