Braves Tomorrow: Braves Today's Top 50 Prospects
From Eric Hartman and Tate Southisene to the newest members of the 2026 draft class, here's how Braves Today stacks Atlanta's farm system.
One thing I’ve wanted Braves Today to add for a long time is our own prospect rankings. Taylor has put countless hours into studying Atlanta’s farm system, and I couldn’t think of a better person to lead this project. What follows are his inaugural Braves Today Top 50 prospect rankings, along with the reasoning behind every spot.
For years, I’ve kept my own personal Braves prospect rankings simply because I enjoy it. The funny thing is, I have never really been a fan of traditional rankings. Debating whether someone is the 23rd or 24th best prospect in the system has always felt a little pointless to me. I usually group players into tiers based on their overall profiles and my perceived upside.
But let’s be honest...that’s no fun.
People want numbers. They want to know why Prospect A is ranked ahead of Prospect B, and they definitely want to tell you you’re wrong. So for the sake of stirring up some healthy debate, let’s put numbers next to the names.
A couple quick notes before we dive in.
First, I will almost always bet on upside over floor. That means some players I rank highly will never reach their potential. But if they do, I believe they have a much better chance of becoming impact big leaguers than simply filling out the back end of a roster. Other value just making it to the big leagues, and that is perfectly fine.
I also tend to value position players over pitchers. In today’s game, an above-average everyday position player is generally more valuable than an above-average pitcher. So when I rank an arm near the top of my list, it’s because I genuinely believe they have frontline or game-changing upside.
These rankings won’t look like everyone else’s, nor should they. Prospect evaluation is incredibly subjective, and even the organizations themselves don’t know exactly how these players will develop.
I left Jim Jarvis and JR Ritchie off the list because I expect both to graduate before the season ends. Ranking them now only to remove them in a few weeks didn’t make much sense to me.
With that out of the way, let’s get into it. I’m sure there will be plenty of disagreements, and honestly, that’s half the fun. Let me know where you agree, where you think I’m crazy, and let’s talk about one of the fastest rising farm systems in baseball.
Top 5 (Stars in the Making)
These are the players I believe have legitimate All-Star ceilings. They're the prospects I would build the system around today.
#1 Eric Hartman | OF | 20
#2 Tate Southisene | INF | 19
#3 Cam Caminiti | LHP | 19
#4 Owen Murphy | RHP | 22
#5 Briggs McKenzie | LHP | 19
If you asked me which Braves prospects have the best chance to become cornerstone major leaguers, this is the group. There are no guarantees in prospect development, but these five possess the combination of ceiling, athleticism, and developmental trajectory that I value most.
Eric Hartman has skyrocketed up prospect rankings, both nationally and within the Braves system, after an outstanding season. Despite spending most of the year as a 19-year-old in High-A Rome and a down July, he has slashed .269/.358/.517 with an .876 OPS and a 129 wRC+. Even more impressive, Hartman is the only player in all of Minor League Baseball with at least 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Across all of professional baseball, only Pete Crow-Armstrong has also reached the 20-home-run, 25-stolen-bases mark.
Another player who has gone from overlooked to nationally recognized is Tate Southisene. The former under-slot first-round pick has rewarded Atlanta’s confidence by posting a .877 OPS with 12 home runs and 45 stolen bases between Single-A Augusta and High-A Rome. He has recently been promoted to Double-A, an impressive feat for a prep draftee just one year ago. While his long-term defensive home remains a question, his versatility only raises his value. If the bat continues to develop the way I think it will, he is going to keep climbing Top 100 lists.
Cam Caminiti is my highest-ranked pitching prospect, and for good reason. At 18 years old, he dominated Single-A Augusta last season with a 2.08 ERA, 2.74 FIP, and 31.9% strikeout rate across 13 starts. This year the numbers have taken a small step back at High-A Rome, but context matters. Atlanta has been asking him to make adjustments to his arsenal, and he’s still posted a respectable 4.11 ERA, 3.97 FIP, and 23.7% strikeout rate. He attacks the zone, generates ground balls, and already features a mid-90s fastball from the left side. That is a profile worth betting on every day of the week.
Owen Murphy is my second-highest-ranked pitcher, which may surprise some people after his brief stint in Atlanta. I’m willing to look beyond that. Returning from Tommy John surgery is never easy, but Murphy has steadily reminded everyone why he was once viewed as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. He owns a 3.66 ERA in Triple-A Gwinnett while continuing to limit hard contact. His fastball sat 93 to 95 mph with more than 18.5” IVB and allowed just three hits on the 65 fastballs he threw in Atlanta. The secondary command wasn’t there, but that’s exactly the type of adjustment young pitchers make between their first and second opportunities.
Rounding out my top five is Briggs McKenzie, who Atlanta signed away from LSU with the largest bonus in its 2025 draft class despite selecting him in the third round. It took all of four professional appearances to understand why the Braves were willing to spend so aggressively. His fastball sits in the low-90s, but the real weapons are a plus changeup and a breaking ball that spins north of 3,000 RPM. Walks have been the only real concern so far, but that’s a trade I’ll happily make for a 19-year-old with this kind of stuff. Like so many players in Rome, McKenzie already looks well ahead of schedule.
6-10 (High Hopes)
The upside is obvious. They're just a step behind the top tier because I want to see a little more consistency or a professional track record.
#6 - Conor Essenburg | OF | 19
#7 - AJ Gracia | OF | 21
#8 - Jensen Hirschkorn | RHP | 18
#9 - John Gil | INF | 20
#10 - Owen Carey | OF | 19
This is my official Conor Essenburg flag plant. I know I’m higher on him than just about anyone else, and I’m perfectly okay with that. Atlanta gave him an over-slot deal to pull him away from a Kentucky commitment where he projected as a legitimate two-way player, and he has done nothing but reward that investment. Through his first 59 professional games at Single-A Augusta, Essenburg owns a .907 OPS, ..421 wOBA, 144 wRC+, and 11 home runs. Remember, this is his first season truly only focusing on hitting as well. There is swing and miss in his game right now, but a lot of it comes from an extremely patient approach that gets him behind in counts. The upside to that approach is a walk rate pushing 20%. If he simply becomes a little more aggressive and improves on his seventh-percentile swing rate, I think he is going to skyrocket up prospect lists.
Just outside my top five are two recent draftees who each received significant signing bonuses, and I am a huge fan of both.
If you’ve followed me at all, you already know how I feel about AJ Gracia. I absolutely loved the pick. The bat-to-ball skills are already excellent, and his 6’3 frame leaves plenty of room for more power than even his 43 collegiate home runs might suggest. The swing is smooth, it’s left-handed, and I can already picture balls landing in the Chop House.
Jensen Hirschkorn feels like this year’s Briggs McKenzie. Atlanta handed him a massive over-slot bonus to keep him away from LSU, and I understand why. The 6’7 righty sits in the mid-90s with his fastball and has the frame to eventually live in the upper-90s. Pair that with a wipeout breaking ball and a quality changeup, and I think the Braves have another arm capable of developing into something special.
John Gil somehow feels like he’s been in the organization forever, yet he’s still only 20 years old. After generating plenty of buzz last year, earning a brief stop in Double-A Columbus and an invitation to big league Spring Training, his numbers have leveled off a bit this season. Honestly, I’m not overly concerned. A .715 OPS in High-A is much different than a .731 OPS in Single-A, and I think he’s quietly done a nice job raising his floor while facing tougher competition. The power and speed combination is still there. Now it’s just about becoming more consistent at the plate.
Rounding out my top ten is another player I’m noticeably higher on than most, Owen Carey. Much like Eric Hartman, Carey was a late-round high school gamble from an area that doesn’t receive much national attention, coming out of New Hampshire in the 15th round of the 2024 Draft. He more than held his own during his first full professional season, posting a 102 wRC+ across 469 at-bats despite the massive jump in competition. This season he’s followed that up with a .268 average, .792 OPS, and 110 wRC+ at High-A Rome despite missing time with an injury. He’s an above-average athlete with a quality hit tool, plus speed, and enough raw power that I think there’s still another level to unlock.
11-20 (The Potential Is There)
These players have exciting tools, but they’re further from the majors or carry more developmental risk.
#11 - Kaiden McCarthy | RHP | 17
#12 - Diego Tornes | OF | 17
#13- Garrett Baumann | RHP | 21
#14 - Luis Guanipa | OF | 20
#15 - Ethan Bagwell | RHP | 20
Now that we’re outside the top 10, let’s keep these a little shorter.
Kaiden McCarthy, Atlanta’s second-round pick this year, already has one of the deeper arsenals in the system. The Vermont prep righty sits in the mid to upper-90s while mixing a two-seam, four-seam, changeup, and two distinct breaking balls. That’s an impressive foundation for a 17-year-old.
Diego Tornes was one of the most hyped international signings the Braves have made in years and even earned at-bats during big league Spring Training. His season at the complex was disappointing, and the injury certainly didn’t help, but he also just turned 18. The tools that made him so intriguing haven’t gone anywhere.
Atlanta has plenty of pitchers who project somewhere between rotation depth and mid-rotation starters, but Garrett Baumann is my favorite of the group. The 6’8 right-hander already works in the mid-90s and throws as many as six different pitches. There is still plenty to dream on.
Luis Guanipa finally looks healthy, and we’re seeing why the Braves were so excited when they signed him. After multiple injuries delayed his development, he’s batting .302 with a .814 OPS, 11 home runs, and 36 stolen bases at Single-A Augusta. One of only two players in minor league baseball with a .300 average, .800 OPS, 10 HR, and 30 SB. The other is consensus top 25 overall prospect Theo Gillen with Tampa Bay.
Ethan Bagwell has quietly been one of the best pitchers in the organization this season. The 20-year-old posted a 2.78 ERA and 3.06 FIP across 13 starts at Augusta before earning a promotion to High-A Rome.
From here on out, the margins become razor thin. Ask me tomorrow and several of these names might move five or six spots. Rather than obsess over exact placement, think of the remaining players as tiers of upside.
#16 - Michael Martinez | OF | 19
#17 - Isaiah Drake | OF | 20
#18 - Luke Sinnard | RHP | 23
#19 - Alex Lodise | SS | 22
#20 - Herick Hernandez | LHP | 22
Michael Martinez is another player I’ve been pounding the table for. Dating back to last season in the DSL, I felt he deserved more attention than he was getting. Now in Single-A Augusta, he’s hitting .272 with an .884 OPS and 11 home runs between the complex and full-season ball. I still think there’s a lot more helium coming.
Isaiah Drake has taken one of the biggest developmental steps in the organization this year. His speed and defense were never in question. The difference is the power. By lifting the ball more consistently, he’s already reached 12 home runs while posting a .785 OPS at High-A Rome.
Luke Sinnard falls into a similar category as Baumann for me. Before landing on the injured list, the 6’7 right-hander made four starts at High-A Rome and dominated, posting a 2.30 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and a 35% strikeout rate.
Alex Lodise is probably the ranking that will generate the most questions. I actually like the player quite a bit, and his recent surge to 20 home runs has me tempted to move him higher. But as an ACC college bat, I expect him to handle every stop below Double-A. He struggled at High-A Rome and continued to struggle after being sent back to Augusta. If this recent breakout is real (.826 OPS, 21 HR), however, he’ll climb my rankings in a hurry. He just recently got the call back up to Rome, so he has now has the opportunity to prove it.
Herick Hernandez might be one of the most entertaining arms in the system. He gives me a bit of a Spencer Strider vibe with the way he attacks hitters. Long term, I still think his best role is as a high-leverage bullpen arm, but he’s making a strong case to remain a starter after posting a 2.80 ERA and 32.5% strikeout rate over 11 starts in Double-A Columbus. The only thing holding him back right now is his command.
21-30 (Unproven, but Upside)
#21 - Jose Manon | SS | 17
#22 - Starlyn De La Cruz | OF | 17
#23 - Manuel Campos | SS | 18
#24 - Lucas Braun | RHP | 24
#25 - Sherrintley Da Costa Gomez | OF | 17
This is where my philosophy really starts to show. From here on out, I’m almost always betting on upside over certainty.
However, Lucas Braun is the exception. He’s never posted an ERA above 3.67 since being drafted, and I think he’ll pitch in the majors. The reason he’s 24th instead of much higher is that I see more of a dependable depth starter than an impact arm.
The rest of this group is loaded with upside.
Jose Manon and Starlyn De La Cruz were Atlanta’s two biggest international signings last January, and both have looked the part in the DSL. Manon is hitting .302 with a .796 OPS while pairing an 11.2% walk rate with just a 17.6% strikeout rate. De La Cruz was even more impressive before his injury, batting .360 with a 1.060 OPS while walking as often as he struck out.
Sherrintley Da Costa Gomez wasn’t nearly as celebrated when he signed, but the Curaçao native has quickly put himself on the radar after posting a .897 OPS with four home runs. The swing and miss still needs to come down, but there’s plenty to like.
Manuel Campos is another international signing I’ve liked for a while. After posting a 116 wRC+ in the DSL last season, he’s followed it up by hitting .317 with an .837 OPS at the complex this year. He’s a speed-first player today, but I think there’s enough physical projection left for even more power to emerge. Campos just recently got the call to Augusta to backfill Lodise’s spot, so he will have the chance to expand upon an already impressive season.
#26 - Edelson Cabral | INF | 16
#27 - Jorwin Pulido | C | 17
#28 - Jack Brenner | C | 18
#29 - Raudy Reyes | RHP | 17
#30 - Tyson Grulkowski | RHP | 18
Edelson Cabral might only be 16 years old, but he already looks ready to come stateside. He’s hitting .291 with an .832 OPS and 117 wRC+ in the DSL, but what really stands out is his approach. A 19.0% strikeout rate paired with a 17.7% walk rate is incredibly impressive for someone his age. Remember this name for next year.
I honestly couldn’t separate Jorwin Pulido and Jack Brenner, so they ended up back to back as my top two catching prospects in the organization.
Pulido signed during the most recent international signing period and quickly hit his way out of the DSL, batting .324 with an .839 OPS while striking out just 5.7% of the time. He’s already reached the complex, where he recorded seven hits, including three doubles, in his first six games.
Brenner, meanwhile, was an over-slot prep signing in this year’s Draft after turning down Oklahoma. I loved the pick. He has one of the most polished hit tools in the entire prep class, rarely chases pitches outside the zone, and almost never swings through strikes. The fact that he’s athletic enough to have also played the infield in high school only adds to the appeal.
Raudy Reyes unfortunately underwent Tommy John surgery before the season, but I’m not ready to move off him yet. A 17-year-old who can already touch 102 mph deserves a long leash, so he’s keeping his spot in my top 30.
Rounding out this tier is Tyson Grulkowski, another prep arm from the 2026 Draft. The Wisconsin native has a low arm slot that immediately reminds me of Chris Sale, just from the right side. His fastball currently sits in the low to mid-90s with plenty of room to add velocity, while his 3000 plus RPM sweeper already projects as a legitimate out pitch.
31-40 (More Questions Than Answers)
#31 - Carter Beck | OF | 21
#32 - Aiven Cabral | RHP | 22
#33 - Cole Dennis | RHP | 17
#34 - Rayven Antonio | RHP | 20
#35 - Cody Miller | INF | 21
This tier is full of players who still have plenty to prove, but each has at least one trait that makes them worth following.
Carter Beck and Cole Dennis are both recent draft picks who fit exactly what Atlanta looks for. Beck brings intriguing offensive metrics, while Dennis already flashes the type of stuff the Braves love to develop.
Aiven Cabral continues to quietly produce. Between Single-A and High-A, he’s posted a sub-3.00 ERA while consistently limiting walks. He’s never going to overpower hitters, but he knows how to pitch.
Rayven Antonio is another arm whose development has been put on hold after missing the entire season with injury. Still, the flashes he showed last year are enough for me to keep betting on the upside.
I’ve also been a fan of Cody Miller dating back to his college days. The tools are there, but he still hasn’t put everything together at a level that I believe a college bat should consistently succeed at as a professional.
#36 - Mathieu Curtis | RHP | 21
#37 - Ryne Barker | INF/OF | 19
#38 - Martires Polanco | RHP | 19
#39 - Isaac Gallegos | RHP | 23
#40 - Juan Mateo | INF | 19
Mathieu Curtis couldn’t have asked for a much better start to his professional career. Across his first eight appearances, he allowed just seven hits, one run, and five walks while striking out 19, earning a quick promotion to High-A Rome.
Juan Mateo has quietly started putting things together offensively at Single-A Augusta, while Ryne Barker remains one of the more intriguing athletes from this year’s draft. The older prep product flashes all five tools, but like most high school prospects, refinement will determine just how high he climbs.
If there’s one place I think I may look back and regret, it’s having Martires Polanco and Isaac Gallegos this low. Honestly, everyone from about 21 through 40 could be shuffled around depending on what you value.
Polanco is already 19 years old in the DSL, which naturally gives me some pause, but the performance has been outstanding. In six starts, he’s allowed just nine hits while striking out 39. His fastball already sits in the mid to upper-90s, and the slider has the makings of a legitimate wipeout pitch.
Gallegos has quietly turned himself into one of the more dominant relievers in the system. He posted a 1.82 ERA and 2.16 FIP over 18 relief appearances at High-A Rome while pairing a 36.4% strikeout rate with just a 5.1% walk rate. Since arriving in Double-A Columbus, nothing has changed. A 2.61 ERA, 3.01 FIP, and 0.97 WHIP, 99th-percentile ground ball rate, and a 33.3% whiff rate suggest the breakout is very real.
41-50 (Prove It To Me)
#41 - Cedric De Grandpre | RHP | 24
#42 - Logan Braunschweig | OF | 23
#43 - Dixon Williams | UTIL | 22
#44 - Will Libbert | LHP | 21
#45 - Blake Burkhalter | RHP | 25
At this point in the rankings, I simply need these guys to prove they can take the next step. Most are older college prospects whose paths to the majors are a little clearer, but whose ceilings aren’t quite as high as the younger names above them.
Cedric De Grandpre is doing exactly what you want to see. He has improved every season, and this year owns a 4.19 ERA backed by a much stronger 3.05 FIP, a 30.9% strikeout rate, and an impressive 38.0% whiff rate at Double-A Columbus. He has recently been promoted to Triple-A.
Logan Braunschweig earned his promotion after a strong run in High-A Rome, but like many prospects before him, the jump to Double-A has proven to be a real challenge.
Dixon Williams impressed me last season in Augusta, but this year hasn’t gone as planned. I’m still holding out hope he can rediscover that version of himself.
Will Libbert is another recent Braves draft pick with intriguing upside. The upper-90s fastball is certainly real. Now it’s just about finding more consistent command.
Blake Burkhalter might actually be one of the closest players on this list to helping Atlanta. After moving to the bullpen this season, his stuff has taken another step forward. Across three levels, he’s allowed just one earned run while striking out 26 hitters over 16 appearances. At 25 years old, relief may ultimately be his long-term role, and that’s perfectly fine. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s contributing in Atlanta before long.
#46 - David McCabe | DH | 26
#47 - Jose Perdomo | SS | 19
#48 - Brett Sears | RHP || 26
#49 - Carter Lovasz | RHP | 23
#50 - John Damozonio | RHP | 22
Rounding out the list is David McCabe, who has quietly been one of the most productive hitters in the organization. His .962 OPS and 16 home runs at Double-A Columbus speak for themselves. The reason he’s this low is simple. He’s essentially limited to designated hitter, which caps his overall value.
Jose Perdomo still has plenty of talent, but injuries have slowed his development almost every year since signing. He’s only 19, so I’m not fully giving up on him. I just need to see him stay on the field.
Brett Sears has become one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects. He may not have a true carrying pitch, but all he’s done since arriving from Nebraska is produce. Over 12 appearances at Double-A Columbus, he posted a 30.8% strikeout rate, just a 4.7% walk rate, a 3.44 FIP, and a 1.10 WHIP. Sears has also gotten a single start at Triple-A this year, where he scattered 2 hits and 3 walks, but struck out 4 and allowed zero runs before being sent back down to Columbus.
Carter Lovasz is an intriguing bullpen arm with a 29.6% strikeout rate and a 53.8% ground ball rate, though I’d like to see him move beyond Single-A before pushing him much higher.
I wanted to finish this list with one of my favorite sleepers from the 2026 Draft, so John Damozonio gets the nod at No. 50. The Saint Mary’s ace consistently filled the strike zone, and his biggest statement came when he helped upset UCLA and No. 1 overall pick Roch Cholowsky in Game 1 of the Los Angeles Regional. He’s the kind of under-the-radar college arm Atlanta has turned into a productive big leaguer before, so don’t be surprised if he outperforms this ranking.
Overiew
Top prospect lists are fluid. I could post this list, Alex Lodise gets promoted to Double-A tomorrow, and he posts a 1.000 OPS and I look like I don’t know what I’m talking about.
We are entering the timeframe where there will be a lot of prospect movement. The new draftees will begin to receive their assignments, players like Tate Southisene will get bumped up, and others may lose playing time based on recent play. It's one of the most exciting—and chaotic—times on the prospect calendar.
Yes, I like to gamble more than some on prospects and bet on upside over safety. Sometimes, it works. Sometimes, it doesn’t.
But I think everyone in Braves Country can agree that this is the most exciting prospect era we have seen in a decade.
For premium subscribers, Taylor’s rankings have been added to the Braves Prospect Composite, with some interesting changes as a result: