ATLANTA -- The last two MLB Drafts, especially the one completed last month, have significantly altered and seemingly strengthened the Braves’ farm system.
Four of the top five spots on MLB Pipeline’s midseason Braves Top 30 Prospects list are filled by players drafted within the past two years. Cam Caminiti, Atlanta’s first-round selection in 2024, sits atop the list and is the only player from the system who ranks among MLB’s top 100 prospects.
JR Ritchie, a 2022 selection, has vaulted to the second spot courtesy of the splendid season he has enjoyed on the mound this year. The next three spots are filled by players selected in this year’s Draft.
Tate Southisene is a high school selection who already draws one of the organization’s top grades for power potential. Florida State product Alex Lodise was recognized as college baseball’s top player when he was given the Dick Howser Award this year. Briggs McKenzie is a high-upside southpaw who was committed to LSU before he received a $2.9 million signing bonus.
Here’s a look at the Braves' top prospects:
1. Cam Caminiti, LHP (No. 81 overall per MLB Pipeline)
2. JR Ritchie, RHP
3. Tate Southisene, SS
4. Alex Lodise, SS
5. Briggs McKenzie, LHP
COMPLETE BRAVES PROSPECT COVERAGE
- Braves Top 30 prospects
- Prospect stats: Today | Last 10 | Last 30
- Draft pick stats
- Highlights
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the preseason list:
Jump: JR Ritchie, RHP (Preseason: No. 8 | Midseason: No. 2) -- Ritchie has posted a 2.73 ERA over 19 combined starts at three levels this year. He has worked into the sixth inning in three of his four Triple-A starts and completed six innings in two of those outings. Ritchie missed most of 2023 because of Tommy John surgery, and the recovery went into the 2024 season. So this is his first full season at the professional level.
Fall: Jhancarlos Lara, LHP (Preseason: No. 13 | Midseason: No. 23) -- Lara struggled as a starter at Double-A to begin the season. He continued to battle inconsistencies as a Triple-A reliever in May and June. But his great promise started to show as he notched 19 strikeouts and posted a 0.75 ERA over 12 innings (six appearances) from July 6-Aug. 5. He threw four scoreless innings in a spot start on Sunday.
New to the list
Here are the players added to the Top 30 from outside the organization:
No. 3, Tate Southisene, SS (Draft)
No. 4, Alex Lodise, SS (Draft)
No. 5, Briggs McKenzie, LHP (Draft)
No. 11, Conor Essenburg, OF (Draft)
No. 24, Landon Beidelschies, LHP (Draft)
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 55 -- Diego Tornes
Power: 50 -- Alex Lodise (Tate Southisene, Diego Tornes)
Run: 70 -- John Gil
Arm: 60 -- Conor Essenburg
Defense: 55 -- Nacho Alvarez Jr. (Luis Guanipa, Carlos D. Rodríguez)
Fastball: 65 -- Rolddy Muñoz
Curveball: 55 -- Luke Sinnard (Drue Hackenberg, Cade Kuehler)
Slider: 60 -- Cade Kuehler (Briggs McKenzie, Rolddy Muñoz, Carter Holton)
Changeup: 55 -- Cam Caminiti
Splitter: 65 -- Hurston Waldrep
Control: 55 -- Luke Sinnard (Lucas Braun, Jhancarlos Lara)