Expert’s sleepers to watch from Braves 2024 draft class

The MLB Draft is over, and the Braves focused on pitching in the first half and position players in the second half.

The class is headlined by top pick Cam Caminiti, but Atlanta has made its bones in the later rounds. Michael Harris II was a third-round pick of the 2019 cycle, while Spencer Strider was a fourth-rounder the following year.

The Braves aren’t going to rank very high on any prospect rankings, despite always putting out major league talent through the farm. That should be attributed to the front office’s eye for talent and the coaching staff’s developmental programs.

So, who will be the Harris or Strider of the 2024 class? Kiley McDaniel of ESPN had a couple of sleepers to watch for — Luke Sinnard and Ethan Bagwell.

Sleepers to Watch: Luke Sinnard (No. 99) and Ethan Bagwell (No. 191), RHP. Sinnard is a 6-foot-8 righty who had Day 1 buzz at this point last year, but he didn’t pitch last season as he recovered from elbow surgery. He threw well at the draft combine, showing his old form, and had interest in the second round. Bagwell has some relief risk, but he worked 94-97 mph at points this spring, with a low release height and the athleticism you’d expect from a former quarterback.

Both of these pitchers are massive guys. Sinnard is obviously the bigger one, standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 250 pounds out of Indiana University. The 21-year-old broke an 89-year-old record by striking out 114 batters in 2023, so the stuff is intriguing.