Alex Lodise is one of three new additions to the Braves top ten
Our journey through the top prospects in the Atlanta Braves system is entering the top ten, and while the top spots in the system are still dedicated to pitching the Braves have three shortstops within our top 12. The Braves focus on adding offensive talent in the 2025 draft has provided an immediately boost to the position player depth in the system, and while we have yet to give any of those guys top three recognition we still feel strongly that the Braves grabbed a handful of interesting players in this past draft. Along with them are two pitchers who could factor into the major league plans next season if either can continue to make their steps forward that we’ve seen in recent weeks.
13-18 | 19-24 | 25-30 | Honorable Mentions
12. John Gil – SS
How he got to the Braves: 2023 International Free Agent
The Braves signed shortstop John Gil for just $110k in the 2023 international period, but he and he has already proven himself to be quite the find the the club. He posted a .795 OPS in the DSL that same year, with a .409 OBP and 20 steals. He followed that up by moving to the FCL last year and posting a .791 OPS with a .403 OBP and 26 steals, before finally scuffling a bit in Augusta with a .204/.297/.255 slash across 39 games – but adding 14 more steals.
He started the year back in Augusta, despite not turning 19 until mid-May. So far he has slashed .225/.321/.296 with a homer and 39 steals across 72 games. Although he has shown little power yet, he is young for the league, has 17 extra-base hits, and has nearly as many walks (40) as strikeouts (41) while playing mostly solid defense at short for all 72 games he’s played.
Gil projects as a hit over power type with excellent on base ability thanks to his patient plate discipline, which allows him to draw a ton of walks. He’s probably going to end up with below average power, but as he gets stronger he should get more extra base power into the gaps, and his double plus speed should also allow him to take extra bases whenever possible. Defensively he has the range and arm that should allow him to stick at short. He will just need to fill in his 6’1, 175-pound frame to get a little stronger to allow him to impact the ball a little better, and his prospect stock could start to take off thanks to the hit tool and elite speed at a premium position.
11. Hurston Waldrep – RHSP
How he got to the Braves: 2023 MLB Draft, 1st Round
To say Hurston Waldrep’s professional career has been underwhelming to this point, to say the least. Things appeared to be off on the right foot, as the righty posted an ERA of 1.53 in eight starts in 2023. Over that stretch, Waldrep held opponents to a .179 batting average while striking out 41 batters and only walking 16 in 29.1 innings pitched.
In 2024, Waldrep again shined, posting a combined ERA of 3.47 across four levels, eventually reaching Atlanta — which is where things stalled out. Waldrep made a pair of starts at the big league level, spinning seven innings of 16.71 ERA ball. The biggest issue was the fact that Waldrep gave up too many walks — eight in seven innings — and only struck out three batters. He has yet to make his return to Atlanta after being sent down in 2024.
As for 2025, walks have continued to plague Waldrep as he has given up 50 in 91.2 innings of work. The good news is that he’s averaging a strikeout per inning and his WHIP is actually slightly down from last year’s.
The book isn’t closed on his career by any stretch. Waldrep still possesses a tantalizing arsenal and his delivery — when consistent — keeps hitters off balance. He figures to get another shot in Atlanta at some point this season, as the front office probably wants to see if he can make any adjustments while also filling in a much-needed rotational for the rest of the season. He’ll have to significantly cut down on the walks if he wants to stick as a starter, otherwise we may be looking at a long-term reliever — which would be a let down for a guy who was extremely hyped coming out of the University of Florida.
10. Blake Burkhalter – RHSP
How he got to the Braves: 2023 MLB Draft, Compensation Round 2
Consistency has been the key for Blake who has continued to show growth day in and out for the Braves. Across two levels (Double-A, Triple-A) Blake has a 3.43 ERA, 8.04 K/9 rate, and 3.96 BB/9 rate. He was promoted to Gwinnett at the start of July and made two starts before transitioning to the bullpen as he has hit his career high in innings pitched (84). Once considered a potential reliever, Blake has seemingly removed all that risk by showing improved command with each pitch and has been able to maintain his velocity throughout games.
His fastball as ticked up a bit as he’s now throwing it in the low-to-mid 90s, topping off around 96 while his cutter has taken a massive step forward and has become a true plus pitch that sits in the low 90s. He also has shown increased development in both his curveball and changeup and both I would say flash average at this point. We would definitely like to see a few more whiffs generated against left handed batters but he’s made such significant strides that it’s hard to not see him as a major league starting pitcher perhaps as soon as 2026. That said, Blake is eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter, so the Braves must make the decision (and what should be a rather easy one) on adding him onto the 40 man roster.
9. Alex Lodise – SS
How he got to the Braves: 2025 MLB Draft, 2nd Round
In what was a stark contrast to how the front office has operated in previous years, Atlanta went hitter-heavy — shortstops, to be more specific — with their first several picks of the draft in 2025. While Tate Southisene, who you’ll hear more about in a moment, was taken above Lodise, the former Florida State Seminole will undoubtedly make an impact at the big league level before the man taken before him — and might even have a larger impact overall when it is all said and done.
A consensus All-American and winner of the Dick Howser Trophy in 2025, Lodise can swing the bat and hold down the shortstop position very effectively. With the Seminoles, Lodise his .394 with 17 homers, including several multi-homer games.
The Braves may have gotten a steal in Lodise with the 60th overall pick, as his ceiling is a bat-first shortstop. However, even if the hit tool and defense aren’t enough to be an everyday guy, Lodise will at least be an excellent utility guy who can provide some significant pop off the bench when needed.
He has yet to make his professional debut, and the Braves might be waiting to assign him to a team until the start of next season. Whenever he does begin his pro career, Lodise figures to at least start with Augusta and have a very quick trigger for promotion to high-A Rome.
8. Briggs McKenzie – LHP
How he got to the Braves: 2025 MLB Draft, 4th Round
The Braves biggest splash in the 2025 MLB draft wasn’t their first round pick, it was fourth round pick Briggs McKenzie who commanded a $3,000,000 signing bonus from Atlanta. This is the second year in a row Atlanta has signed a top lefty away from an LSU commitment, and McKenzie will hope to follow the path of Cam Caminiti to top prospect status. McKenzie is going to be a bit more of a project though, with inconsistent velocity that through his prep career posed the biggest challenge to his draft status. McKenzie has sat in the mid-90’s at times, but has seen quite a bit of fluctuation — even down into the 80’s — and one of Atlanta’s first steps will be having him add strength and weight. With some mechanical tweaks and extra strength the loose, athletic lefty has the potential to add multiple miles per hour to all of his pitches, which would allow his terrific ability to spin pitches to play even better.
McKenzie has some of the nastiest stuff in the class, with a curveball that can work at upwards of 3000 rpm along with a changeup that has taken a step forward over the past few seasons. The Braves may like to see him throw a harder slider as they tend to do with their pitchers, but McKenzie has a natural feel to spin and the athleticism to adjust if the Braves decide to expand his arsenal. McKenzie has done a great job throwing strikes for his age and has the athleticism to grow into average or better command, and while his velocity may ultimately dictate his future role, he has all of the hallmarks of a mid-rotation starter with some potential to grow into more.
7. Tate Southisene – SS
How he got to the Braves: 2025 MLB Draft, 1st round
Despite getting a lower bonus than McKenzie we still have first round pick Tate Southisene as the top player from this class, and while he was a significant under slot selection he is still one of the most exciting position players the Braves have drafted in the past decade. Southisene gets rave reviews for his all around game, with speed, power potential, a feel for hit, and a high makeup that should all feed into a prospect that doesn’t have any glaring holes at the moment. His swing decisions at the plate do represent a concern for some scouts, though the Braves in recent years have had a lot of success working with young players in the lower minor leagues to improve their plate discipline.
Southisene’s swing starts off with a big leg kick and a lot of hand movement, but once he gets loaded he has a quiet, smooth swing and swings with intent to impact that ball. He has more power than his frame would suggest and could turn into an average power hitter at maturity, though some have questioned if he may need to sacrifice a bit of his contact to get there. Still, he has shown a feel for the barrel that is advanced for his age, and has the athletic toolset, the arm, and the hands to stick at shortstop. He has the potential to play either there or center field, depending on where he is needed, and could be above average defensively at either position. Southisene is a player who doesn’t have one tool that jumps off of the page, but excels across the board and should maximize his talent with his IQ and work ethic.