College Prospects To Keep An Eye On For Pick #48
These are ten potential targets the Atlanta Braves could target with their third pick in the Top 50 of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Trying to predict how the MLB Draft is a losing game. With how slot values and draft pools dictate teams’ overall strategies, it is unlike any other we see in professional sports.
Instead, with the college baseball season underway, I want to give Braves fans not only some potential targets for our draft picks, but hopefully get them a little more involved in the beautiful game that is college baseball.
In case you missed it, I have previously detailed six potential targets for our #9 pick, as well as the #26 pick. Today, let’s try to project out even further and take a look at a handful of talented college baseball players that may be available in the second round. Because of that uncertainty, I’m not going to go overly granular on each profile just yet. Instead, think of this as your early watchlist; a collection of names to keep an eye on as the season unfolds and boards begin to take shape.
Will Gasparino, OF, UCLA
When you’re picking at No. 48, you shouldn’t necessarily be shopping for safe. You should shop for traits. At 6’6” and 220 lbs, UCLA’s Will Gasparino has those traits. He currently is overshadowed by potential #1 overall pick Roch Cholowsky, but makes up the other half of a pretty terrifying offensive duo in Westwood.
Prior to UCLA, Gasparino spent two seasons at the University of Texas, where he steadily improved his OPS from .795 to .851. He then jumped into the transfer portal and travelled back home to California to join UCLA. Through eight games this season, he has recorded nine hits, including a double, a triple, and SIX home runs. While I do not expect this to continue throughout the entire season, a 1.654 OPS is nothing to scoff at.
He is the type of player that even opposing coaches, players, and fans will want to watch take batting practice. There are concerns due to his less-than-expected output in his first two collegiate seasons, but seeing how he has progressed from season to season has started to answer those questions. He should be an average to above-average defensive corner outfielder at the next level.
Ultimately, the hit tool will decide how long he lasts on the board. The tools, the size, and the power are all there to be a first-rounder. Now it is up to him to put it all together.
Daniel Cuvet, 1B/3B, Miami
If you follow college baseball even casually, you may be familiar with Miami’s Daniel Cuvet. He represents another huge college bat that continues to impress. Standing at 6’3” and 240 lbs, he is another power or contact bat, one that could truly impact the Braves at the next level.
As a freshman, Cuvet mashed 24 home runs and put up an OPS of 1.165 on his way to earning Freshman All-American honors. He led the Hurricanes that season in home runs (24), RBIs (75), and batting average (.351). Those 24 homers set the Miami freshman record. The following season, he actually improved his average (.372) and upped his on-base percentage (.450), but did take a slight step back in the power department. Still, 95% of college players would sign up for a season with a .708 SLG and 1.158 OPS 100 times out of 100.
This season, he is slashing .210/.512/.897 with a 1.409 OPS through nine games. Seven of his nine hits have gone for extra bases, including five home runs. He sports a 7:11 K:BB ratio as well.
The power is real. It’s not “maybe one day.” It’s ready right now. His bat speed and strength allow him to do damage to all fields. Historically, the chase rate has been a real concern as strikeouts have piled up. If that trend stabilizes, his stock jumps in a hurry.
The Braves typically don’t dip into the flashy college masher pool early in drafts. They like certain molds. But if there were ever a year to take that chance, this may be the year.
Myles Bailey, 1B/DH, Florida State
I mentioned a flashy name with Cuvet, but Florida State’s Myles Bailey takes it even further. I will admit, he is definitely not in the mold that the Atlanta Braves typically stick with. I am not even sure they would target a 1B/DH in the entire draft, and understandably so. But just take a walk with me real quick.
As a true freshman, Bailey slugged .663 with a 1.104 OPS and swatted 19 home runs. He earned Freshman All-American honors and was named to the Team USA Collegiate National Team. Through six games this season, he is slashing .389/.607/.722 and a 1.329 OPS, including two mammoth home runs you HAVE to see.
Yes, this does represent a high ceiling, low floor outcome selection. I understand that 99.99% of his future outcome relies solely on the power of his bat, and that is scary. The swing and miss last year gives a little pause for concern as well. But early on this season, his approach and swing decisions have seemed to tighten up.
However, his raw power and bat speed are truly on the borderline of generational at his age. If I’m betting on the biggest possible upside at pick 48, this is the kind of gamble I’m comfortable making.
Kyle Jones, OF, Florida
Georgia fans might have complicated feelings here, but Athens native and current University of Florida outfielder Kyle Jones is one worth monitoring.
The North Oconee HS alumni started his college career at Stetson, where he led off and played center field as a true freshman. He led the Hatters in hits (88), doubles (15), and runs (53) while putting up a .928 OPS and earning Second Team Freshman All-American honors, winning ASUN Freshman of the Year, and being a Gold Glove finalist. Jones then transferred to the SEC powerhouse that is the Florida Gators.
An early shoulder injury slowed him down last season, but he looks fully healthy now. Through nine games, Jones ranks in the top 10 in batting average (.472), and top 25 in on-base (.524), slugging (.778), and OPS (1.302) in the entire country for hitters with at least 40 PAs.
What I like about Jones is how complete the profile feels. He runs well, defends aggressively, and controls the zone better than most. At 6’3” and 190 lbs, there is enough physical projection to believe he can grow into more power to pair with an already above-average hit tool.
There’s a built-in floor here, but still provides the upside I would like to see at pick 48, a nice combination to have in this range.
Jake Brown, OF, LSU
Down in Baton Rouge, LSU’s Jake Brown is a former two-way player who has hit his way off the mound and into a serious corner outfield threat. He has followed the developmental arc you want to see from a college bat.
As a freshman, he was solid but not spectacular with a slash line of .264/.370/.440 and an .810 OPS. The following season, he upped all four of those metrics in his first full season as a starter. This season, through nine games, he is slashing .429/.478/.786 with a 1.264 OPS and already hit four home runs. He also ranks in the top 25 in average, slugging, and OPS for hitters with at least 40 PAs
This type of progression is a positive sign as he distances himself further and further from being a two-way player. The bat provides a solid hit tool that just does not miss pitches in the zone. There’s still some chase in his profile, something that he hopes to improve on as time goes on.
Brown is the type of outfield bat that could potentially move quickly through a minor league system. A solid hit tool with 15+ home run potential if everything continues to click is one that Braves fans should welcome into this farm system.
Tommy LaPour, RHP, TCU
If you have read my previous two pieces, you know I lean offensive for our first three selections again. However, I will not totally ignore the potential arms that Atlanta could target. TCU’s Tommy LaPour is first on that list.
After beginning his career at Wichita State, where he started 16 games as a freshman to a 4.25 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, he made his way to Fort Worth to become the ace of the Horned Frogs staff. As a sophomore, he went 8-3 with a 3.09 ERA, 1.162 WHIP, and a 23.4% strikeout rate across 16 starts. This season, however, we unfortunately have only seen one start from LaPour as he has been out with elbow soreness since opening weekend. In his one start vs Vanderbilt, he went 5 IP, giving up five hits, two home runs, and two walks to five strikeouts.
Built like a linebacker at 6’4” and 230 lbs, he brings presence, energy, and real velocity to the mound. The fastball sits mid-to-high 90s with the ability to rear back and touch triple digits. He pairs it with a high-spin changeup that misses bats, though the breaking ball mix still needs refinement.
There’s reliever risk here, no doubt. But in the second round, betting on that kind of arm talent isn’t crazy. Ultimately, we will have to see how he progresses from injury to have a better gauge of his draft stock.
Jason DeCaro, RHP, North Carolina
Jason DeCaro has quietly been one of the steadier arms in the ACC for North Carolina. At 6’5” and 230 lbs, he uses his frame well. While the velocity isn’t elite, the fastball plays up because of movement and ability to command multiple pitches.
As a freshman, DeCaro recorded a 6-1 record with a 3.81 ERA and 1.316 WHIP across 18 starts. He did struggle with an 11.3% walk rate, however. The following season, he started 16 games for the Tar Heels to a 9-3 record, improving his ERA (3.78), WHIP (1.260), and walk rate (7.3%). Through two starts this season, DeCaro is 2-0 and has yet to give up a run in 13 innings. He has an impressive 0.846 WHIP, only giving up seven hits and walking four, while striking out 14 (29.2% K rate).
His fastball currently sits in the 92-94 mph range, with the ability to dial it up to 97 mph with a lot of movement. What stands out most is his ability to command all four of his pitches - fastball, curveball, sweeper, and change-up.
At worst, he feels like a back-of-the-rotation starter or even a multi-inning bullpen piece with four usable pitches. However, there is a path to the middle of the rotation arm, given his frame and talent, if drafted to the right organization.
Luke McNeillie, RHP, Florida
Another Georgia native who has made his way down to Gainesville is Florida’s Luke McNeillie. The Milton HS product has intriguing stuff but an incomplete resume, leading to a lot of projection.
The challenge for McNeillie has been role and consistency. He has appeared in at least 26 games each of his first two seasons with the Gators, all but four coming out of the bullpen. As a freshman, he finished with a 7.07 ERA with a 26.2% strikeout rate and 12.8% walk rate. The following season, he lowered that ERA to 4.82 and improved both his strikeout rate (31.2%) and walk (10.4%) rates. This season, McNeillie did break his way into the starting rotation but has failed to go above two innings. He has given up five hits, one earned run, and two hit batters, but has a 1:4 BB:K ratio.
Ultimately, he gives off the highest reliever risk of anyone I have mentioned. The arm is live, equipped with a mid-90s fastball, a plus slider, and a good changeup. Given the Braves’ ability to develop arms both in the rotation and in the bullpen, plus the addition of being a hometown kid, I would expect McNeillie to fall somewhere on their draft board.
Cade Townsend, RHP, Ole Miss
Cade Townsend is a draft-eligible sophomore out of the University of Mississippi who has loud stuff but often struggles with command.
As a true freshman, he appeared in 15 games for the Rebels, starting eight of them to a 6.35 ERA, 1.412 WHIP, 28.1% strikeout rate, and 13.1% walk rate. This season, Townsend has made two starts, pitching at least four innings in both, giving up six hits, one earned run, one hit batter, and an impressive 16:1 K:BB ratio.
If the righty can keep up this type of performance and improvement come SEC play, the questions surrounding his ability to start at the next level will begin to quiet down. His mid-90s fastball can reach up to 98-99 mph at times and has well above-average movement, including over 20” of IVB. Townsend’s arsenal is complete with a cutter that acts more as a breaking pitch, as well as a hard curveball, and he has toyed with a splitter.
If the command falls off, he probably ends up as just a nasty bullpen arm. If it sticks, you might be looking at a mid-rotation ceiling. That range of outcomes is wide, but the upside is undeniable.
Wes Mendes, LHP, Florida State
The final player on this list will be the left-handed pitcher for Florida State, Wes Mendes. He has taken an interesting path, transferring from Ole Miss to Florida State.
As a freshman, he appeared in 17 games, only starting two, with a 6.82 ERA, 1.642 WHIP, a 28.9% strikeout rate, and 12.8% walk rate. After then transferring to FSU to join a rotation with Jamie Arnold and Joey Volini, he finished with a 7-3 record with a 5.42 ERA and 1.397 WHIP across 16 starts. Now as the ace of the Seminoles’ staff, Mendes has started two games, giving up just five hits, ZERO runs, two walks, one hit batter, and 14:2 K:BB ratio.
He doesn’t have the eye-popping velocity of some others here, but he lives in the low-to-mid 90s and can reach up to 96-97 mph when needed. What he does have is a devastating changeup that flashes as a legitimate swing-and-miss pitch. He pairs these with a solid, but still developing slider and curveball.
If he adds even a tick of velocity or sharpens one of the breaking balls, you’re looking at a back-of-the-rotation starter at worst. There’s polish here, and left-handed polish is always in demand. I fully trust in the Atlanta Braves’ ability to develop arms.