10 Atlanta Braves Prospects To Know Beyond The Top 30 in 2024
Baseball America’s Top 30 Atlanta Braves Prospects entering 2024 are here exclusively for subscribers. The list includes updated scouting reports, BA grades and tool grade projections every player.
Inevitably, there are players every year who barely miss the cut when we narrow down the list. These players are all worth monitoring for various reasons and it’s likely some will either reach the big leagues in 2024 or enjoy breakout seasons lower in the minors.
Here are next 10 players to know in the Braves system beyond their Top 30.
31. Ambioris Tavarez, SS
Atlanta’s first prominent international prospect since being sanctioned for rules violations in the market, Tavarez signed for $1.5 million in 2021. He’s an exceptional defender with a plus glove and arm, but he’s proven an easy out at the plate so far, and will have to improve dramatically as a hitter to carve out a big league role.
32. Luke Waddell, 2B
Waddell’s 84% contact rate in 2023 was the best of any Braves hitter with at least 50 plate appearances, and he can also adequately handle all three infield positions. He lacks physical tools and impact, which caps his upside, though he has always been an instinctual player who could grind his way to the majors.
33. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., OF
Kilpatrick signed as a 17th rounder in 2022 for $125,000 and is one of the best defensive outfielders in Atlanta’s system. He’s an athletic defender and plus runner who stole 35 bags and covered plenty of ground. He walked at a solid 12.3% clip, though his overall offensive package is light.
34. Mario Baez, SS
Baez signed out of the Dominican Republic for $240,000 in the Braves’ 2023 international class and stands out for his 70-grade speed. He performed well in the Dominican Summer League, where he hit .311/.393/.422, stole 24 bases and had solid overall contact rates.
35. Jorge Bautista, RHP
Bautista had an up-and-down season between Low-A Augusta and High-A Rome, but he has a loose arm, a fastball that gets into the mid 90s with late life and a swing-and-miss slider in the low 80s that could be a plus offering with a bit more power.
36. Ethan Workinger, OF
Workinger has fourth or fifth outfielder potential thanks to his ability to play at all three positions, including a solid center field. He flashed a bit of power with 11 home runs with Low-A Augusta, but his strikeout rate jumped from 17.8% to 31.8% after a promotion to High-A Rome.
37. Jake McSteen, LHP
McSteen was an inconsistent reliever with Nebraska, but with the Braves has discovered a bit more swing-and-miss stuff. He throws a 90-92 mph fastball, a low-80s slider and an upper-80s cutter that makes life difficult for lefthanded batters. McSteen will be 28 in 2024, so there’s not much projection remaining, but he did pitch well in the Arizona Fall League, with a 12:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
38. Tyler Tolve, C
Tolve has solid raw power that plays to the pull side and is regarded as one of the better defensive catchers in Atlanta’s system, primarily thanks to his receiving ability and the way he works with his pitchers. His overall contact ability could hold him back, and he missed at a 34.7% rate in 2023.
39. Jared Johnson, RHP
Johnson was a pop-up player in the 2019 draft class who signed for $257,500 in the 14th round. A raw, hard thrower, Johnson moved to the bullpen in 2023, where his big-time velocity and below-average control is a better fit. He pairs a mid-90s fastball with a hard slider-cutter hybrid and pitched well down the stretch with High-A Rome.
40. Seth Keller, RHP
Keller signed for $697,500 as a sixth-round pick in 2022 and struggled to a 6.26 ERA in his first full season in pro ball with Low-A Augusta. He also dealt with forearm soreness, but showed flashes—particularly in a reliever role—with a hard, running fastball in the low 90s, two breaking balls and a changeup that earned plus grades. He’s a relief-only prospect with tons of effort in his delivery but remains intriguing.
