Due to international restrictions, trades, and graduations, the Braves still have one of the weaker farm systems across baseball. At least, that’s what most prospect outlets will lead you to believe. However, it has been this way for a few years now, and despite that, few organizations produce more impact talent year after year than the Atlanta Braves.
Looking ahead to 2025, this is actually one of the stronger crops of prospects the Braves have had at their disposal in quite some time. Of course, that could all change in an instant if Alex Anthopoulos gets antsy and decides to make an impact trade this winter, which he’s done in each of the last three offseasons.
A couple of the Braves top prospects, Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver, have already made their MLB debuts. Both of them could end up playing roles for the Braves next season, perhaps even beginning the season on the Opening Day roster, but here are three other names that have yet to make their debuts that could also see time in Atlanta in 2025.
Drake Baldwin
Baldwin has rocketed up to the top spot in the Braves farm system by most outlets that are paying attention. After earning a promotion to Gwinnett last year, he recorded an .891 OPS over the final 72 games of the season, and that offensive success continued this offseason in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .377 in 13 games.
Offensively, there’s really not a tool to be concerned about with Baldwin. He hits for averages, doesn’t strike out much, takes his walks, and possesses power to all fields. Baldwin has the opportunity to be one of the better offensive catchers in the league, while his athletic tools behind the plate were also turning heads at the Arizona Fall League. With Sean Murphy under contract through at least 2028, there’s a strong chance the Braves consider selling high on Baldwin this offseason and include him in a blockbuster trade for a proven commodity. But if they don’t, we’ll surely see him at some point in 2025.
Drue Hackenberg
When Hackenberg was selected in the second round of the MLB Draft, many expected him to sign a deal under slot value, but the Braves actually handed him a $2 million bonus, which was well over slot value. It provided a glimpse of what the organization thought of him coming out of Virginia Tech, and to this point, he’s proven the Braves correct.
Hackenberg began last season in High-A Rome but worked his way up to AAA Gwinnett for his final four starts, recording a 1.52 ERA over 23.2 innings, with opponents hitting just .175 off of him. He probably needs another full season in the minors under his belt before receiving consideration for the majors, but if pitching injuries arise next year, and they always do, he could be in line for at least a spot start.
Hayden Harris
You’ll have to go a good ways down most Braves prospect lists to find Hayden Harris’ name, and he might not even be included on some. However, he’s an intriguing arm from the left side that could potentially become an impact reliever in Atlanta as early as next year. Harris did struggle mightily after his promotion to Gwinnett this year, recording a gaudy 7.36 ERA over 22 appearances. However, in Mississippi, he boasted a 1.74 ERA with 34 strikeouts over just 20.2 innings. There’s a chance he could make his MLB debut in 2025, especially with so many of the Braves bullpen arms testing free agency.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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