For years, the Braves’ system always had one or two players at the top with a real chance to emerge as MLB contributors — and many of them have, including Blake Baldwin and Spencer Schwellenbach over the past two seasons. But the system was never deep, and as a prospect writer, it was always difficult to find players worth discussing after the first few. This year, it’s different.
There are legitimate impact players at the top of the list, including Eric Hartman — arguably the most improved player in the minor leagues — Cam Caminiti, and John Gil. But you can keep going and run into Luke Sinnard and Briggs McKenzie, two pitchers with mid‑rotation upside. Their 2025 draft was solid, yielding Tate Southisene and Alex Lodise, and this year’s class also looks strong with AJ Garcia and Carter Beck leading the way.
It’s a good situation, as the Braves Major League roster is starting to get long in the tooth and badly needs an influx of young talent. That help should start arriving in 2027 and 2028.
Prospect Snapshot
- Top Prospect: Eric Hartman
- Biggest Mover: John Gil, although it could have been Hartman
- Biggest Disappointment: Owen Murphy
- Emerging Prospect: Edelson Cabral
1. Eric Hartman (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Breakout speedster with new loft-driven power and emerging fantasy impact upside.
Entering the 2026 season, Eric Hartman’s carrying tool was his speed. He stole 48 bases in 2025 while being caught only six times, but he showed little power and put far too many balls on the ground. At that point, I viewed his ceiling as that of a fourth outfielder with limited fantasy appeal.
The 2026 version looked very different. Hartman overhauled his swing, lifting everything and unlocking significantly more power. Early on, the change produced a spike in whiffs, but that stabilized as the season progressed. His exit velocities remain average, yet the new uphill path gives him a legitimate projection for 15‑plus home runs—potentially more as he fills out and gets stronger.
Hartman was one of the breakout players of the 2026 season. We still need to see how he handles better pitching, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he hits a rough patch. But if he meets that challenge, fantasy managers who invested early could be looking at a real impact player—someone in the mold of Pete Crow‑Armstrong.
2. Cam Caminiti (LHP)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 SP
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Young lefty with elite secondaries and mid‑rotation or better upside.
Cam Caminiti was the Braves’ first‑round pick in 2024 and represented a slight shift in their typical draft approach. Yes, they still selected a pitcher in the first round, but Caminiti was their first high‑school left‑hander taken that early since Kolby Allard a decade earlier. So far, he’s rewarded that decision by excelling at every stop.
He opened 2026 in High‑A, showcasing an impressive three‑pitch mix: a slider that already grades as a 60 (and might be more), a 70‑grade changeup, and a fastball that sits just 92–93 mph. He gets away with the modest velocity because of the heavy run on the fastball and his unusually low arm slot. While that slot often points to a future bullpen role, his strike‑throwing ability and quality secondaries allow the whole package to work as a starter.
Caminiti was promoted in August to Double‑A, where he finished the season with a 3.38 ERA across 24 starts. He should return to the level to begin 2027.
Fantasy managers should view Caminiti as a near–top‑of‑the‑rotation talent. He just turned 20 in August and has a realistic chance to reach Atlanta as early as late 2027.
3. John Gil (SS)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS/2B
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Fast, improving infielder with growing strength and emerging power‑speed upside.
John Gil showed plenty of speed and contact ability in 2025, but we noted at the time that he needed to get stronger to reach his ceiling as a full‑time regular. That growth started to show in 2026: he hit the ball harder, lifted it more consistently, and doubled his home‑run production (14 vs. 7). He sacrificed a bit of contact, but still posted a league‑average 20% strikeout rate and a solid walk rate, with minimal chase in his approach.
Gil just turned 20 in May, and given the physical and skill growth already on display, there’s a strong chance he develops into a full‑time regular at either shortstop or second base. His 70‑grade speed gives him real fantasy juice, with 30‑plus steals well within reach. The home‑run output is the wild card, but a reasonable baseline is around 15 annually, with room for more as the strength continues to come. Combine that with a feel to hit, and there’s plenty to be excited about.
4. Tate Southisene (2B/SS)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2028-29 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Athletic infielder with fast‑track potential and impactful OBP‑speed fantasy profile.
Taken 22nd overall in 2025, Tate Southisene broke the Braves’ five‑year streak of first‑round pitchers, giving the system a fresh injection of athleticism. He’s a plus runner with solid exit velocities for his age (87.5 mph), and while his 5‑foot‑11 frame suggests future average power is likely the ceiling, the foundation is strong.
The Braves were extremely aggressive with him this season, pushing him through three levels and finishing him in Double‑A — extraordinary for a teenager, but consistent with their philosophy when they believe a hitter can handle the challenge. Southisene more than held his own, posting a .278/.408/.467 slash line with 12 home runs and 45 stolen bases in 60 games.
At first, I viewed Southisene as a long‑term upside play for fantasy managers, but the timeline may be accelerating. There’s a very real chance he debuts in 2028 — and perhaps even 2027 if he blitzes through Double‑A. The upside is a Top‑15 second baseman or Top‑20 shortstop with high OBP, 10–12 home runs, and 25‑plus stolen bases.
5. AJ Gracia (OF, #9)
- Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Hit‑first outfielder with leveraged power but modest long‑term impact projection.
AJ Gracia was the ninth overall pick in the 2026 Draft, signing for $2.6 million under slot — the largest under‑slot deal in the class. Shortly after he signed, we learned why the bonus came in light: on August 1, he underwent labrum surgery on his shoulder and will be sidelined 7–10 months. That timeline should put his professional debut in early 2027, which, all things considered, isn’t too bad.
From a scouting standpoint, Gracia doesn’t produce high‑end exit velocities, instead generating his power through a highly leveraged swing. That approach fueled 44 home runs and a .576 SLG across his three‑year college career. While some players can thrive with this profile — Cody Bellinger being a notable example — low‑exit‑velocity hitters are generally at risk of being exposed in pro ball. What Gracia can do is hit: he walks more than he strikes out, including a 13% strikeout rate in his draft year. There’s very little speed in the profile.
He should move quickly through the Braves system once healthy, likely making his MLB debut sometime in 2028. Some will view him as a power‑hitting outfielder, but I see the Braves saving money to deploy elsewhere and landing a 15‑homer bat with a strong hit tool. If everything clicks, the ceiling looks like a solid No. 4 outfielder.
6. Luke Sinnard (RHP)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 40 SP with upside
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Huge right‑hander with power stuff, plus splitter, and mid‑rotation floor.
Luke Sinnard was drafted by the Braves in the third round of the 2024 Draft despite missing all of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery. He pitched well in 2025, posting a 2.86 ERA, and was just as good in 2026, delivering a 2.94 ERA across 14 starts. He did miss more time, though — an abdominal strain cost him the start of the season and then another six weeks when he re‑aggravated it.
At 6‑foot‑8, he’s an imposing presence with a big fastball that averages 95 mph (T 98). He generates excellent backspin, producing a 25% whiff rate. His best secondary is a splitter that grades as a plus — if not double‑plus — offering. The curveball has good shape but gets hit hard and still needs refinement. Most encouraging of all, he pounds the strike zone, walking just two per nine.
For fantasy managers, Sinnard remains under the radar in many leagues, and given his size, stuff, and control, he already looks like at least a mid‑rotation starter. If the curveball comes along, there’s legitimate top‑of‑the‑rotation upside.
7. Briggs McKenzie (LHP)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP with upside
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Athletic righty with plus secondaries and mid‑rotation upside if healthy.
Briggs McKenzie received the largest draft bonus of the Braves’ 2025 class despite being a fourth‑round pick, signing for $3 million — essentially late first‑round money.
He appeared in only seven games in 2026 before a sore pitching elbow shut him down in late June. Details on the severity of the injury have been scarce, but we should learn more as the offseason progresses.
There’s a lot to like with McKenzie. He’s athletic with good stuff, led by a 60‑grade changeup featuring excellent tumble and fade. His slider appears to be morphing into a sweeper, and given its high spin rate (2800 rpm), it could develop into another plus offering. His fastball is solid but unspectacular for now — he can reach 95 mph when needed, but it averaged in the low‑90s during his 2026 outings. As he fills out his 6‑foot‑2 frame, more velocity is a reasonable expectation. He threw strikes across his 26 innings before the elbow issue surfaced, and the Braves believe any delivery inconsistencies will be ironed out through development.
From a fantasy standpoint, McKenzie has at least a mid‑rotation ceiling, and with added velocity and a tightened delivery, he could easily exceed that. Missing a big chunk of the season with an arm issue isn’t ideal, but rest and rehab may be all he needs.
8. Carter Beck (OF, #26)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2029 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 OF
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Contact‑driven outfielder with speed, modest pop, and intriguing early returns.
Carter Beck was the Braves’ reward for Drake Baldwin winning NL ROY in 2025, selected 26th overall out of Indiana State University. He put up excellent numbers in his junior year — .346/.446/.637 with 16 home runs and 12 stolen bases — but didn’t show well at the MLB Combine, posting only average exit velocities. One odd data point was his launch angle: 4.3 degrees, dead last among all hitters. Remember, this is batting practice at a showcase where everyone is trying to show off their power. His in‑game swing is fairly level, but you’d think he would have tried to elevate more. Was it a sign of a player staying within himself, or simply an inability to lift the ball? Hard to say.
Beck got off to a fast start in his professional debut, blowing through Low‑A after hitting .409 in 11 games. He came back to earth following a late‑season promotion to High‑A, where he hit just .203. Still, he finished the year with a solid .283 batting average, two home runs, and eight stolen bases.
Fantasy managers should view Beck as a high‑floor prospect with good bat‑to‑ball skills, above‑average speed, and modest power. He’s not a big guy at 5‑foot‑11, and he’s somewhat untested — two years in a weaker college conference and a prior season at a small school in North Dakota. He’s a tough read, but I’m optimistic enough to give him a ceiling as a No. 3/4 fantasy outfielder.
9. Luis Guanipa (OF)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028-29 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Revamped swing unlocking contact, speed, and emerging power in promising outfielder.
Luis Guanipa was one of the marquee bonus signings in the 2024 international class, but he hadn’t produced much heading into 2026. That changed after the Braves adjusted his batting stance, getting him shorter to the ball and unlocking both better contact and more power. He’s still a plus runner, and with the improved bat‑to‑ball skills, he’s finally putting that speed to use — 42-for-48 on stolen‑base attempts.
Guanipa is firmly back on the prospect radar and now looks like a legitimate big‑league candidate. His defense gives him a high floor as a useful fourth outfielder, but I think there’s more in the bat: average power paired with 25‑plus steals is very much in play. If everything clicks, he could grow into a dynamic leadoff hitter and an impact fantasy contributor. That said, there’s still a long way to go, and the risk remains high.
10. Alex Lodise (SS)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder with upside
- Last Updated: 11/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Power, speed, and upside remain, but contact skills drive the profile.
Alex Lodise, the Braves’ second‑round pick in 2025, struggled in his debut, striking out 36% of the time. I initially chalked it up to fatigue after a long season at Florida State, but the Braves clearly had deeper concerns about his tendency to expand the strike zone, sending him to Low‑A to open 2026. He spent most of the season there before being promoted to High‑A after the All‑Star break and then finishing the year in Double‑A. In essence, he ended the season where he should have—he just took a more winding path to get there.
He has above‑average power and has added more leverage to his swing, which has translated into increased home‑run output. He’s an average runner but an excellent base runner, giving him a path to 8–12 steals annually. The real question is whether he can make enough consistent contact. He still chases too often, and that will put pressure on both his batting average and OBP.
Fantasy managers should view Lodise as a solid middle‑infield prospect with some pop and a bit of speed, but also with real batting‑average risk. The tools are there — the hit tool remains the swing factor.
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