The Braves have answered fans prayers, taking a position player in the first round for the first time in six years
With the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves selected shortstop Tate Southisene from Basic High School in Nevada. Southisene breaks a trend of first round picks going to pitchers, and gives the Braves their best shortstop prospect.
Bio
DOB: 10/6/2006
Height: 5’11
Weight: 170
Bats/Throws: R/R
Rankings
Baseball America: 43
MLB Pipeline: 39
Introducing Tate Southisene
Tate Southisene is an intriguing hitter and the younger brother of last year’s Cubs 4th rounder Ty Southisene. The two are very different players, with Tate being bigger and having more power potential. He has a good feel for hitting for both average and power, potentially 50 grades on both, with above average speed. Defensively he has an above average arm and is an average defender at short – though some teams want to look at him in center to take advantage of his speed. He stood out at the combine last month as well.
First Reaction
There wasn’t much buzz surrounding the Braves and Tate Southisene prior to the draft, but they’ve been looking at prep shortstops for years and especially this draft process, and they landed on a well-rounded player in Southisene. The Braves have been critically underrepresented on the position player side for top prospects, and with Southisene they have an influx of immediate talent with impact potential. Southisene could also come in a bit under slot, freeing up money for the Braves to have flexibility with their later picks.