It is a little over two months until the 2025 MLB Draft which means speculation over who the Atlanta Braves will pick in the first round is starting to really heat up.

We know that they will be picking #22 overall and we now know how much draft bonus pool they have to play with, but clues as to what direction the team could go with that first pick are only just now coming out.

Traditionally, the Braves have been a “pick the best player available” sort of organization with a strong preference for pitching. The pitching preference has mostly been a function of the players still available towards the back of the first round, but also because they feel more comfortable developing arms.

Unfortunately, recent first round picks Hurston Waldrep and Cam Caminiti have called that strategy into question.

However, the fine folks at MLB Pipeline still think that Atlanta is going to go with an arm with their first pick, at least for now, as they had the Braves taking J.B. Middleton in their first mock draft of 2025.

Braves predicted to pick J.B. Middleton in latest 2025 mock draft

It is important to remember that mock drafts coming out this early, especially this many picks down, are not going to be accurate. There just isn’t enough settled ahead of where the Braves pick to get accurate intel and there is still a lot of spring baseball left for prospective draftees.

However, Middleton does feel a lot like a guy the Braves would pick aside from him not playing in one of the major college conferences.

He possesses a fastball that lives in the mid-90’s generally and that he is very good at changing eye levels with.

Middleton’s power slider is also a plus pitch thanks to how hard he throws it and his ability to change it’s shape. Add in a serviceable changeup and you have a really intrigung package.

There is a world where Middleton is the best player available and others where he doesn’t even get to the Braves given that he is a college arm which is a demographic that is in high demand on draft day.

While there is nothing wrong with picking Middleton, one hopes that Atlanta finds a bat that they like and are willing to take a chance on.

The farm system is looking pretty rough at the moment and an infusion of offensive talent would be nice to see.