No surprise who sits atop the list, however a new face enters the top 10

As we continue our approach into the season another top prospect list dropped and this time it was from the folks over at FanGraphs. It is absolutely no surprise that Drake Baldwin and AJ Smith-Shawver sit atop the list for the Atlanta Braves, with Drake earning a future value of 55 which is considered an above-average major leaguer – well in line with his skill set.

It doesn’t take long in the list to find a new name – Diego Tornes who slots in comfortably at fifth overall. Diego, 17, was the big signing by the Braves this past international free agent period. Diego is considered a 5-tool player who could comfortably play center, but may slot in as a corner outfielder should his size outgrow the position. The other big signing that period, Raudy Reyes and his 101 mph fastball, comes in at 15th overall. Eric Longenhagen had some lofty praise of the pitcher saying aside from his dynamic fastball, Raudy also possesses a plus slider with plus velocity and excellent shape.

Right behind Raudy is another new player, Nick Montgomery, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 draft. Eric also had some great praise for Nick calling him an “exciting developmental prospect with some of the better upside in the Braves system.” Nick was drafted out of high school as a catcher with significant offensive upside. He possesses elite raw power, and enough athletic ability that he should stay at the position despite his mammoth size (6’4” 210 lbs).

Rule 5 draft pick Anderson Pilar, who has looked very solid in Spring Training, comes in at 23rd overall while Christian Cairo, also a rule 5 pick comes in at 28th overall. Add in Royber Salinas (24th), who was recently re-signed by the Braves, and Carlos D. Rodriguez (25th) who recently signed with the Braves and you have four players acquired in the last few months who cracked the top 30.

Finally one of the biggest surprises is Davis Polo, who signed with the Braves as a minor league free agent in 2022 found himself all the way up at 19th overall. While Davis cracking the top 30 is no surprise what so ever due to his electric slider and above average command – he has not cracked a lot of top prospect lists so him slotting in at 19th overall is a significant data point.