Atlanta Braves Farm System: The Braves’ system lacks a clear fantasy star but offers a deep pool of athletic hitters, pitchability arms, and developmental upside that could yield valuable contributors over time.
Summary
The Braves’ farm system doesn’t currently feature a clear-cut fantasy star, but it’s filled with depth and developmental intrigue. JR Ritchie and Cam Caminiti lead a group of pitchers with strong command, durable frames, and the potential to anchor rotations. On the offensive side, Diego Tornes and Jose Perdomo offer exciting upside with bat speed, plate discipline, and positional versatility.
Further down the system, there’s a mix of role-player types and long-term projects. Drue Hackenberg and Ian Mejia offer groundball-heavy and strike-throwing profiles, while Jhancarlos Lara and Rayven Antonio flash big stuff but need refinement. David McCabe and Conor Essenburg remain speculative, with McCabe needing more impact and Essenburg still raw after converting from a two-way prep role.
Overall, the Braves continue to invest in athleticism, pitchability, and international upside. While the system may lack a headline name, it’s built on projection and patience. Dynasty managers should monitor the more advanced arms and disciplined bats closely, while keeping tabs on breakout candidates as development unfolds.
AI-Assisted Fantasy Tiers: Methodology and Observations
AI has made significant strides in all aspects of our lives. Over the past four years, I have compiled 500,000 words of personal scouting narratives, which have formed the foundation for training my own AI assistant. This assistant now evaluates prospects and assigns fantasy tiers exclusively based on the insights and observations contained in my write-ups.
After requesting that my AI assistant generate fantasy tiers using this year’s reports, I found that the AI’s rankings generally align with my own assessments. However, there are some cases where the AI’s evaluations differ from my personal rankings. I am sharing those differences here for your consideration.
🥇 Tier 1: Fantasy Impact Targets
None currently.
🥈 Tier 2: Everyday-Upside Targets
- JR Ritchie – No. 3 starter traits, close to MLB-ready
- Cam Caminiti – Athletic prep arm with frontline ceiling
- Diego Tornes – Bat speed and discipline suggest corner OF power
- Jose Perdomo – Contact/speed blend with SS/3B flexibility
- John Gil – Plus defender and runner with improving EVs
- Briggs McKenzie – Projectable lefty with curveball weaponry
- Patrick Clohisy – 70-grade speed with OBP skills and emerging pop
🥉 Tier 3: Outside of the Impact/Everyday Targets
To see the reset of the tiers, become a Patreon subscriber at Patreon.com/prospect361.
2026 Player Profiles
1. JR Ritchie (RHP)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: No. 3 starter traits, close to MLB-ready.
After returning to High-A to open 2025, JR Ritchie quickly climbed the ladder, earning promotions to Double-A in May and Triple-A in August. He’s a polished right-hander with a solid-average fastball (93–94 MPH, touching 96) that plays up thanks to excellent tunneling with his changeup and slider. His command is a standout trait — he pounds the zone and rarely gives up hard contact.
Ritchie isn’t likely to be a high-strikeout arm, but he works efficiently, sequences well, and keeps hitters off balance. His style is reminiscent of a throwback mid-rotation starter — not overpowering, but reliable and effective. The fastball lacks elite traits, but the secondaries and command give him a strong foundation.
Fantasy managers should treat Ritchie as a stable No. 3 starter type with limited strikeout upside but a chance to contribute in WHIP and wins. He’s close to MLB-ready and could offer sneaky value in deeper formats.
2. Cam Caminiti (LHP)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 40 SP
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: Athletic prep arm with frontline ceiling.
Selected 24th overall in 2024, Cam Caminiti continues the Braves’ trend of first-round pitching picks, marking five straight years of arms at the top. The nephew of longtime MLB veteran Ken Caminiti, he’s a highly athletic lefty with a fastball that reaches 97 MPH, a well above-average curveball, and a promising changeup. The delivery is fluid, and the arm speed suggests future velocity gains.
Caminiti is still raw, and like many prep arms, there’s risk baked into the profile. But the ingredients are here for a top-of-the-rotation ceiling if the command and pitch development hold. He’ll need time — likely 3 to 4 years — but the upside is worth stashing in deeper dynasty formats.
Fantasy managers should treat Caminiti as a long-term investment. He’s unlikely to move quickly, but the athleticism and pitch mix offer real upside if you’re willing to wait.
3. Didier Fuentes (RHP)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 SP or Closer
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: Two-pitch arm with bullpen fallback.
Signed out of Colombia in 2022, Didier Fuentes rocketed through the minors in 2025 and made his MLB debut on June 20th after a strong showing in Low-A the year prior. The Braves fast-tracked him, and while he flashed promise, he was ultimately overwhelmed — posting a 13.85 ERA across four starts and surrendering six home runs in just 13 innings.
Fuentes is primarily a two-pitch arm, pairing a 96 MPH fastball with a plus sweeper that generates whiffs. He also throws a splitter, but it’s underutilized and still developing. At just 6 feet tall, he may be prone to home runs at the highest level, especially if the fastball command falters. That said, the raw stuff is good, and with more seasoning and refinement, he could grow into a mid-rotation starter or a high-leverage bullpen piece.
Fantasy managers should treat Fuentes as a volatile upside arm. He was rushed, but if the splitter improves and the fastball location tightens, there’s a path to relevance — either as a starter with strikeout potential or a late-inning weapon.
4. Jose Perdomo (SS)
- Highest Level: Complex ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS/3B
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: Contact/speed blend with SS/3B flexibility.
Signed for $5 million as one of the top talents in the 2024 international class, Jose Perdomo missed most of his debut season with a hamstring injury but returned in 2025 to play in the FCL. While his slash line (.223/.275/.270) was underwhelming, he made solid contact (19.3% K-rate) and still shows the traits that earned him a premium bonus.
Perdomo is a hitter first — quick to the ball with bat speed that should allow him to handle velocity. He needs to build strength, which will help unlock his projected 12–15 HR power and improve his BABIP. He’s a plus runner with 20+ SB potential, though his low stolen base attempt rate in 2025 is puzzling. Defensively, he has the actions for shortstop and the arm for third base, giving him positional flexibility as he matures.
Fantasy managers should treat Perdomo as a long-term upside play. The early returns are light, but the bat-to-ball skills and athleticism suggest a path to fantasy relevance if the strength and approach develop as expected.
5. Tate Southisene (SS, #22)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2028-29 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: Athletic SS with speed and contact traits.
Taken 22nd overall in 2025, Tate Southisene broke the Braves’ five-year streak of first-round pitchers, offering a fresh injection of athleticism into the system. He’s a plus runner with solid exit velocity (98 MPH in showcase settings), though his 5-foot-11 frame suggests future average power is likely the ceiling. Concerns about spin recognition and swing-and-miss surfaced in his brief Low-A stint, where he hit just .219 with 27 strikeouts in 66 plate appearances.
Southisene’s development will hinge on how well the Braves can refine his approach and help him adjust to pro-level pitching. The athletic traits are real, and while the early results were rough, he’s only 17 and has time to grow into his tools. If the hit tool stabilizes, he could become a dynamic top-of-the-order threat with speed and on-base skills.
Fantasy managers should treat Southisene as a long-term upside play. The early returns are light, but the athleticism and pedigree make him worth stashing in deeper formats.
6. Alex Lodise (SS/2B, #60)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: Leverage swing with 20 HR upside, contact risk.
Drafted 60th overall after a monster junior season at Florida State (.394/.462/.705, 17 HR, 6 SB), Alex Lodise entered pro ball with momentum and pedigree. The Braves assigned him to High-A, where he struggled to adjust — striking out nearly 40% of the time in 109 plate appearances. The swing has leverage and bat speed, but he expands the zone against spin and chases too often.
Lodise’s exit velocities are above average, and the swing path supports 20-HR potential. However, the contact issues and zone discipline will need refinement for him to reach that ceiling. He’s not overly physical, but there’s enough athleticism and strength to project a reliable middle infielder with some pop and modest speed.
Fantasy managers should treat Lodise as a sneaky third-round FYPD target. The ceiling isn’t huge, but if the hit tool stabilizes, he could offer 20 HR and 5–10 SB annually with middle infield eligibility.
7. Briggs McKenzie (LHP, #127)
- Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2029 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 SP with extreme risk
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: Projectable lefty with curveball weaponry.
Drafted 127th overall but signed for $3 million to buy out his LSU commitment, Briggs McKenzie is a high-upside prep arm with first-round pedigree. The Braves clearly believe in the projection, and the bonus reflects that. McKenzie is an athletic lefty who currently touches 94 MPH, with more velocity expected as he fills out. His Madison Bumgarner-style arm swing adds deception and creates a unique curveball shape that already flashes as a weapon.
The delivery is long, and shortening it could improve his strike-throwing ability. He’s a project, but the Braves have a strong track record with pitching development, and McKenzie’s raw traits — velocity, curveball shape, athleticism — give him a chance to grow into a mid-rotation starter. The fastball/curveball foundation is strong, and if the command comes, he could move faster than expected.
Fantasy managers should treat McKenzie as a third-round FYPD target with long-term upside. He’s not close, but the ingredients are here for a breakout if the Braves can refine the delivery and build out the arsenal.
8. Drue Hackenberg (RHP)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 SP
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: Groundball-heavy No. 4 starter with upside.
Drue Hackenberg battled control issues and a six-week back injury in 2025, and although his command improved upon return, he was unable to replicate his 2024 performance. He features a four-pitch mix led by a fastball that scrapes 96 MPH with excellent carry, setting up a sharp cutter, a swing-and-miss slider, and a developing changeup. His cutter drives a strong 55% groundball rate, and the slider remains his go-to weapon.
The changeup still needs refinement, and Hackenberg shows modest platoon splits that could limit his ceiling if left unaddressed. That said, the pitch mix and groundball profile give him a sturdy foundation, and with improved control and a more reliable third pitch, he could exceed expectations.
Fantasy managers should treat Hackenberg as a potential No. 4 starter with room to grow. He’s not flashy, but the traits suggest a path to rotation stability if the changeup and command take a step forward.
9. John Gil (SS)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder with upside
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: Plus defender and runner with improving EVs.
Signed for $110K out of Colombia in 2023, John Gil is beginning to show signs of physical growth after previously needing strength gains. His average exit velocity ticked up in 2025, including multiple batted balls over 107 MPH — a promising development for a player whose game is built on speed, contact, and defense. Gil walked as much as he struck out this season and stole 54 bases in 68 attempts, showcasing plus speed and zone control.
Defensively, he’s a fluid, plus shortstop with instincts and range. The next step is elevating the ball more consistently; his current batted-ball profile limits power output, but if he adds loft, there’s a chance for impact. The Braves promoted him to Double-A to close 2025, and while the sample was small (4 hits in 25 PA), it signals growing confidence in his trajectory.
Fantasy managers should treat Gil as a high-floor middle infielder with speed and contact skills. If the power continues to develop, he could push toward top-15 shortstop status in time.
10. Patrick Clohisy (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF
- Last Updated: 11/07/2025
- Tools Summary: His carrying tool is 70-grade speed, and he controls the strike zone well. There are below-average exit velocities, but he might have enough juice to develop doubles power.
Drafted in the 11th round in 2024, Patrick Clohisy has quickly made his mark with 70-grade speed, swiping 60 bases in 73 attempts at High-A and continuing that success in Double-A. While he doesn’t generate much power, his 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame suggests doubles pop and the occasional home run could emerge. He’s not overly groundball-heavy and shows solid zone control, with a 19% strikeout rate and 11% walk rate — both better than league average.
Clohisy’s profile is built around speed, contact, and on-base skills, and while there’s fourth outfielder risk, he may be more than that. His game resembles Jakob Marsee’s — a high-effort, high-speed contributor who could carve out everyday value if the bat holds. Continued development of gap power and consistent OBP could push him into a regular role.
Fantasy managers should treat Clohisy as a deep-league speed asset with upward mobility. If the power ticks up even slightly, he could become a sneaky contributor in roto formats.
