2026 Battery Power Braves Preseason Top 30 Prospects: Nos. From 30 down to 25
As the grind of January finally fades, February brings renewed optimism across baseball. Players are beginning to report to Florida, Spring Training is nearly here, and prospect season is officially underway. After examining those who narrowly missed the cut, we now turn our attention to the Braves’ Top 30 prospects. While Atlanta has shifted in recent drafts from pitching-heavy strategies toward bolstering position-player depth, arms still dominate the lower portion of the list. The upper ranks were relatively clear, but this section featured a wide range of outcomes and projections. Let’s dive in, and don’t forget the minor league staff will be hosting a Q&A later this week.
Honorable Mentions
30. Drue Hackenberg — RHP
Acquired: 2023 MLB Draft, 2nd round (59th overall)
Not long ago, Hackenberg looked like a legitimate long-term piece for Atlanta. After being selected early in the 2023 draft, he impressed immediately, climbing from Low-A Augusta to Triple-A Gwinnett during his first full professional season in 2024. Across 25 starts and 129 innings, he posted a strong 3.07 ERA, earning top-20 prospect consideration entering 2025.
That momentum disappeared last season. Injuries disrupted Hackenberg’s year, and when he did pitch, results were rough. Over 21 starts and 74 innings, he struggled to a 6.81 ERA with a 1.82 WHIP. While he limited home runs, opponents consistently found holes, hitting .279 against him far removed from his .212 mark in 2024. Control issues compounded the problem, as he issued 54 walks.
Despite the downturn, Hackenberg isn’t written off. Health, inconsistent usage, and development hiccups offer reasonable explanations for one poor year. He still has a path forward as a bullpen arm or back-end starter, but a bounce-back season is critical if he hopes to restore his prospect value.
29. Carter Holton — LHP
Acquired: 2024 MLB Draft, 2nd round (62nd overall)
Holton, a three-year starter at Vanderbilt, lands near the bottom of the list largely due to uncertainty. After just one appearance in 2024, he underwent Tommy John surgery, leaving evaluators with little recent data. At 5’11”, he lacks prototypical starter size, which adds risk alongside the rehab process.
Holton relies on a four-pitch mix highlighted by a plus slider, with a curveball and changeup that grade around average. At 23, he’s expected to begin the season in Augusta, with advancement tied more to health than performance. For now, the priority is simply getting back on the mound and building consistency.
28. Hayden Harris — RHP
Acquired: 2022 Undrafted free agent
Harris delivered one of the most dominant seasons ever by a Braves pitching prospect. Across 43 appearances, he recorded a microscopic 0.52 ERA while striking out hitters at an elite rate and holding opponents to a .118 average. His fastball sitting just 90–92 mph played up thanks to excellent location at the top of the zone, while his splitter and improved sweeper made him nearly unhittable.
The performance earned Harris First Team All–MiLB honors and a Futures Game appearance. If his command of the sweeper continues, his elite strikeout production could soon translate to the big leagues.
27. Cade Kuehler — RHP
Acquired: 2023 MLB Draft, 2nd round (70th overall, compensation pick)
Few prospects are more eager to return than Kuehler, who missed all of 2025 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. His ranking is largely projection-based, as his post-surgery form remains unknown. Kuehler features a strong fastball and slider, with a splitter that still needs refinement.
Now 24, health is the primary concern, but pitch development will also be critical. The Braves will give him every opportunity to start, though his long-term role could shift to the bullpen if the splitter doesn’t take a step forward.
26. Dixon Williams — 2B
Acquired: 2025 MLB Draft, 4th round (136th overall, compensation pick)
Williams was selected for his offensive upside and rapid development after focusing on baseball full-time only in college. A standout athlete with a football background, he showed steady growth at East Carolina, culminating in a breakout junior season with a 1.012 OPS.
Following the draft, Williams impressed at Augusta, posting a .269/.395/.462 line. He profiles as a potential four-tool player, lacking only elite arm strength, and offers versatility across the infield. While he needs time to refine both his defense and hit tool, his emerging power suggests he could eventually become Atlanta’s long-term answer at second base.
25. Ethan Bagwell — RHP
Acquired: 2024 MLB Draft, 6th round (191st overall)
Bagwell enters 2026 healthy and poised to establish himself within the Braves’ system. Standing 6’4” and over 230 pounds, he brings an imposing presence to the mound. His fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s, complemented by a sharp slider and a developing changeup, with a two-seamer recently added to his arsenal.
Though strikeouts were limited last season, Bagwell excelled at inducing ground balls and limiting walks. If his secondary pitches continue to progress, he could quickly gain traction as a legitimate starting pitching prospect.
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