Atlanta finally goes pitchers, taking a talented prep lefty in the fourth round
With the 127th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves selected LHP Briggs McKenzie from Corinth Holders High School in Wendell, North Carolina. McKenzie is the first pitcher for the Braves in this draft and helps bolster their high-ceiling pitching depth.
Bio
DOB: 10/11/2006
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 190 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Rankings
Baseball America: 46
MLB Pipeline: 69
Briggs McKenzie = NASTY
The @LSUbaseball commit has a ton of projection and quality pitchability.
FB – 88-92, carry up, run away from righties
CB – 74-77, tight spin with sweep/some depth
CH – 84-85, fading life against RHHPotential high-end pick in July. pic.twitter.com/a5auaPtW9G
— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) April 3, 2025
Introducing Briggs McKenzie
Briggs McKenzie is a North Carolina prep pitcher with a lot of projection and athleticism. He was a highly rated player who can get it up to 95 MPH and has the makings of a plus curveball which already gets up to 3,000 RPM. His change has grown in the last year or so and now projects as an average third pitch. Command is not a real issue as he is a strike thrower, though may not have quite plus command. The easy delivery and arm speed with the athleticism and projection leave a lot to dream on with him.
First Reaction
Atlanta’s development staff gets another talented pitcher to work with, as the Braves are going to spend a lot of money to sign McKenzie away from his LSU commitment. The Braves have been going heavy on high school pitching in the last few drafts, and this adds to the arsenal as they now have the lower levels of the system stacked with projectable talent.