College Baseball Is Back: 5 Draft Targets Braves Fans Need to Know
A look at six draft-eligible college players who could be tied to Atlanta’s future.
Hello, Braves Country!
First, let me introduce myself. My name is Taylor, and I was born and raised in Georgia. So yes, I’m a Georgia sports lifer (Go Dawgs, sorry Tech). Baseball has always been my favorite sport, from playing to coaching to obsessively watching just about any game I can find. There’s nothing quite like it.
I’m currently a Braves and MLB contributor over at Just Baseball, and I’m incredibly grateful that Lindsay has given me the opportunity to jump aboard here and dive even deeper into Braves talk with all of you.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff: College baseball is back.
If you’ve never given college baseball a real chance, you’re missing out. Think about how college football compares to the NFL and apply that same energy to baseball. The passion, the chaos, the pride, the insane comebacks, the bat flips, the celebrations, all of it. And to top it off, college baseball has one of the best postseasons in all of sports.
Now, here’s where this gets especially fun for Braves fans. The upcoming MLB Draft is shaping up to be a big one for Atlanta. After a down season coupled with low farm rankings, an infusion of talent is needed to keep us in our championship window. The Braves hold the #9 overall pick, and thanks to the Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin, will also pick again at #26.
The last time Atlanta picked inside the top ten was back in 2019, when they selected Baylor catcher Shea Langeliers at pick #9. This year, there are several college bats who make a ton of sense for the Braves, both from a talent and organizational fit standpoint.
Below are six college players I’ll be keeping a close eye on this spring for that #9 pick. Take the time to watch a few of them if you can. You might find yourself enjoying college baseball just as much as the big leagues!
Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
5’9 || 185 lbs || .357 AVG || .490 OBP || .756 SLG || 1.246 OPS || 44 HR || 129 RBI
We’ll start close to home with Houston County native and Georgia Tech star Drew Burress. And yes, even as a diehard Bulldog fan, I can admit how special Burress has been on The Flats.
As a true freshman, Burress shattered Georgia Tech’s freshman home run record with 25 bombs and posted the fourth-highest slugging percentage in school history (.821). The three players ahead of him? All pre–World War II. He won National Freshman of the Year honors across multiple outlets and was named ACC Freshman of the Year.
While his sophomore numbers didn’t quite reach those absurd heights, they were still elite. Burress finished with the 11th-best OPS in the country (1.162), led the ACC in extra-base hits (43), and earned First Team All-American honors from five different outlets. The junior is entering his draft-eligible year and looks to keep the train rolling into being one of the first college players selected.
Don’t let the size fool you. Burress has one of the best hit tools in the class, featuring extremely quick hands and explosive bat speed. His high leg kick gives off shades of a right-handed Corbin Carroll, and he absolutely punishes mistakes. Defensively, he can handle center field, but a corner spot is likely his long-term home.
With Mauricio Dubón set to hit free agency after this season, and both Mike Yastrzemski and Jurickson Profar after 2027, the Braves don’t have much outfield talent knocking on the door. I am high on the ceilings of both Connor Essenburg and Diego Tornes, but they’re still many years away.
Another hometown kid debuting in the outfield in front of Braves Country? Sign me up!
Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
6’2 || 180 lbs || .327 AVG || .425 OBP || .593 SLG || 1.018 OPS || 30 HR || 109 RBI
Staying in Braves Country, Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron would be a dream fit if he’s available at #9. He has started 115 out of 116 games at shortstop for the Crimson Tide (one start in center field).
Arriving in Tuscaloosa as a freshman, he immediately showed why he’s special. Lebron posted a .975 OPS in the SEC, the toughest conference in college baseball. He smacked 12 homers and knocked in 37 RBIs on his way to earning Freshman All-American honors.
His sophomore season is when everything clicked. Lebron led Alabama in home runs (18), RBIs (72), runs scored (60), and stolen bases (17), and finished the year as a semifinalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy.
He’s a true five-tool threat. Lebron has power to all fields, can run exit velocities north of 110 mph, and plays a smooth, athletic shortstop. There’s some off-speed chase he will need to clean up, but the foundation entering his draft-eligible season is strong.
The Braves haven’t had a long-term answer at shortstop since Dansby Swanson left, and the organization knows it. Alex Anthopoulos signing Ha-Seong Kim to $20 million and then opening the 2025 draft by selecting three straight shortstops wasn’t by accident. I am a fan of Alex Lodise, but he still has work to do for his bat to be ready for the next level. I project both Cody Miller to become more of a utility asset and Tate Southisense to transition to the outfield. John Gil has been one of the hottest names amongst Braves fans heading into 2026, but if Justin Lebron is selected with the #9 pick, he would immediately become my number one contender for the shortstop position.
If Justin Lebron is the pick at #9, he immediately becomes the top long-term shortstop candidate in the system.
Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
6’1 || 190 lbs || .296 AVG || .385 OBP || .522 SLG || .907 OPS || 10 HR || 46 RBI
Continuing the SEC shortstop run, Kentucky’s Tyler Bell is one of the more fascinating names in this class. He is one of two draft-eligible sophomores I will have on this list.
Bell was widely considered a top-25 prep prospect in the 2024 MLB Draft and was selected in the second round by Tampa Bay. He surprisingly opted to skip the pros and make his way to campus. At the time, it felt risky. One season later, it looks like the right call.
As a freshman, Bell reached base in his first 27 career games at the college level, and 54 of 56 games overall. He led the Wildcats in RBIs (46) and runs scored (51) while earning both All-American and Freshman All-American honors.
He’s a switch-hitter with pop from both sides and a smooth, athletic glove at short. There’s some swing-and-miss due to a slight uppercut, but his swing decisions are sound and trending in the right direction.
Like Lebron, Bell could have a similar rise through the Braves’ minor league ranks if selected. As a draft-eligible shortstop, Bell will not come at a low price. Thankfully, Atlanta has one of the largest bonus pools to work with this summer.
Eric Becker, SS, Virginia
6’3 || 190 lbs || .366 AVG || .459 OBP || .637 SLG || 1.096 OPS || 17 HR || 98 RBI
If the last name Becker sounds familiar, it should. Eric’s younger brother Nick was selected in the second round last year by Seattle. Now it’s big brother’s turn.
The Cavalier has started 89 games in his college career thus far, 63 at shortstop and 26 at third base. As a freshman, he posted an outstanding 1.137 OPS in 127 at-bats on his way to being named to the ACC All-Freshman team.
Becker followed up his freshman campaign with a stellar sophomore season, despite Virginia failing to live up to high expectations. He led the team in multiple offensive categories: batting average (.368), slugging (.617), RBIs (52), and runs scored (54).
The 6’3 lefty is a power-first bat with gap-to-gap ability and plenty of physical projection remaining. However, Becker will need to work on his swing decisions and ability to hit the ball at the bottom of the zone. While he will have nearly 100 starts at shortstop with Virginia, a transition to third or second base may be in his future.
Even if he does eventually move off shortstop, Becker’s versatility and offensive upside make him extremely intriguing for a Braves system that needs impact bats.
Chris Hacopian, SS/3B, Texas A&M
6’1 || 210 lbs || .347 AVG || .465 OBP || .614 SLG || 1.080 OPS || 29 HR || 103 RBI
Rounding out my list of college infielders is new Texas A&M Aggie Chris Hacopian.
He was a superstar in his first two seasons at the University of Maryland, as you can see in the stats above. Hacopian increased his batting average, on-base, slugging, and OPS from his freshman year to his sophomore year.
The power numbers look great, but that’s just the beginning. In both seasons, he recorded exactly 72 hits. Even better, he has a career 70 walks to just 45 strikeouts.
Hacopian might have one of the best pure approaches and bat-to-ball skills in the class. You will not see him chase or whiff, and if you make a mistake, you can kiss the ball goodbye. The combination of contact and power is unlike most others in this draft class. Defensively, he will make the average play, but lacks the range of some of the previously mentioned shortstops. There is a risk of moving to third base at the next level, but he is more than passable if asked to stick at short.
While he may eventually move off shortstop, the bat will play anywhere. He has the ability to push his way up through the minor league system very quickly. I will always pound the table for drafting the best available over team needs. With Atlanta’s system lacking offensive thump, Hacopian would provide an immediate jolt.
Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU
6’2 || 205 lbs || .350 AVG || .420 OBP || .650 SLG || 1.070 OPS || 11 HR || 51 RBI
The final player on my list is the electric outfielder from TCU, Sawyer Strosnider. He, like Tyler Bell, is a draft-eligible sophomore.
As a freshman, he started 55 games for TCU between right field (31), DH (23), and center field (1). At the plate, Strosnider led the Horned Frogs in batting average (.350), hits (77), and RBIs (51). In fact, he put up a triple-double with 13 doubles, 10 triples, and 11 homers. His ten triples were the most in the entire country, and 44% of his hits went for extra bases.
His left-handed power is loud, producing exit velos eclipsing the 110 mph marker. The athleticism and twitch Strosnider displayed as a freshman even suggests he has more room to grow. He is aggressive at the plate, which can lead to some chase (as his strikeout count displays). Entering his second collegiate season, Strosnider will look to improve in this area.
Like Burress, Strosnider could have a relatively clear path in Atlanta’s outfield down the road. His hit tool is not as defined as Burress’, but the swing is loud and the production is massive. He has the ability to play all three outfield positions, but ultimately may find himself at the corner.
Final Thoughts:
If you can’t tell by now, I am firmly in the “draft a bat at #9” camp.
The Braves have done an incredible job stockpiling arms over the years, but with key offensive pieces aging or nearing contract decisions, it’s time to reload the pipeline. The IFA market has just not been up to par.
Inevitably, draft boards will change. It would not surprise me to see any of these names go in the top three or fall to us at #9 in this coming draft. Other intriguing names I love are Virginia’s AJ Gracia and Mississippi State’s Ace Reese as well.
I am extremely excited that baseball season is finally here. The Braves will report to Spring Training in the coming weeks, but until then, give college baseball a shot. You just might be watching the next future Brave!
Just want to say thanks to Taylor and plese keep posting.
I was hoping for a lefty College starter at #9. Doesn't appear one exists worth taking at #9
So i would be tempted for a prep lefty, even though we clearly need hitters/position players. At least 2 of those first 3 picks need to hit !!!!
All 3 picks are in the top 50 . Praise the Baseball Gods.
Good stuff. The question is, how good is Atlanta's scouting department at accurately evaluating the available talent? Incredible mistakes like Kelenic and Laureano make me wonder. You and/or Lindsay should devote some of your analytical talent to ranking the Braves' scouting department with other teams like the Phillies and Brewers.