Undrafted free agents are talented players who might have been taken if rounds 21-40 still existed. Don’t look down your nose at them because they were ranked highly, if at all. The long list of UDFA who had impactful careers after a scout fought to get them signed includes Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter.
Braves have gone heavy on pitching when it comes to undrafted free agents so far
A lot of good undrafted players have worn the Tomahawk; Paul Assenmacher, Darren O’Day, Kirby Yates, and current Brave that the team misses badly, Joe Jiménez, were all ignored in the draft. SO, it wouldn’t be a surprise if one or two or these undrafted relievers go on to become successful late-inning arms.
Daniel Brooks, RHP, College of Charleston
Daniel Brooks joins the list of tall pitchers the Braves signed since the draft began. As prep righty, Brooks came in at #286 on Baseball America’s 2021 top 500 prospects list, and their scouting report suggested upside.
“Brooks is a massive, 6’8, 245 pound righthander (who) impressed scouts at East Coast Pro by showing a fastball up to 94 mph and good strike-throwing ability (and) an advanced curveball, which has terrific spin and 11-to-5 shape in the mid-70s (and) plenty of bite down and out of the zone…The new curveball upped his ceiling for many evaluators and (his) slow changeup in the upper 70s that gives him a three-pitch mix.”
Brooks honored his commitment to Charleston and appeared in 39 games, including 30 starts, throwing 139 1/3 innings, striking out 149, and walking 58, while posting a 4.84 ERA and 1.299 WHIP. In 2025, Brooks appeared in 17 games, including 14 starts, posting a 4.44 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, while striking out 74 and walking just 24 in 75IP.
Will Eldrige, RHP, Indiana University
If you search for Will Eldridge videos, you’ll only find Bryce Eldridge, and that may work out well for the Braves.
Will Eldridge is a 6’4, 210 lb RHRP that the Braves hope will become a flame-throwing reliever. He graduated from Carroll High School in 2022 after posting a 0.83 ERA while striking out 96 in 42 IP, thanks to a fastball that touched 95 with a spin rate just under 2200.
He began his college career with Indiana Wesleyan as a starter, appearing in 18 games that included 15 starts and posting a 5.37 ERA. He struck out 89 in 70 1/3 IP and had three 10-strikeout games. He returned to the bullpen as a sophomore and struck out 28 batters in 18 1.3 IP over nine appearances.
He transferred to IU for his junior year after striking out 11 in nine summer-league appearances. He pitched in only five games for IU and threw only 3 2/3 innings. He wasn’t bad in those outings, but missed over a month between outings, which may indicate he was out with an injury.
He played summer-league ball again this year, and threw nine innings over six appearances for Willmar, recorded three saves, struck out 11, walked three, and allowed one run.
His performance led to his selection for the 2025 All First Team All-GSC, the GSC All-Tournament Team, the NCBWA First Team, and the Division 2 CCA First-Team All-Region team.
Adiel Melendez, LHP, University of Montevallo
Adiel Melendez is a 6’0, 210 lb lefty who began his college career at Alabama State, initially as a starter, but moved to the bullpen in 2023, striking out 27 and walking eight in 22 1/3 IP.
Melendez transferred to Montevallo in 2024 and returned to starting. In 165 2/3 innings over two seasons, Melendez won 15 of his 28 starts, allowed 14 homers, and pitched to a 3.21 ERA while striking out 102 and walking 32.
His performance led to his selection for the 2025 All First Team All-GSC, the GSC All-Tournament Team, the NCBWA First-Team, and the Division 2 CCA First-Team All-Region team.
Scott Mudler, Catcher, Oklahoma
Scot Mudler is a 6’0, 210 lb left-handed hitting catcher from Johns Creek, Georgia, who began his career with Northwest Florida State College before transferring to Oklahoma for his junior year.
As a junior, Mudler after in 47 games, 40 as a starting catcher, and batted .279/367.401/.768 with six doubles and four homers in 170 PA, striking out 26 times and walking 16. He followed that with a .256/.350/.456/.805 line that included eight doubles, two triples, and two homers in 103 PA, striking out 21 times and walking 11.
That’s a Wrap
Brooks and Eldrige have big arms and have had success as relievers; Eldrige, in particular, is intriguing. Melendes looks like a man determined to succeed, and Mulder has some interesting tools.
There’s no guarantee that any prospect will succeed. It seems that every year, a highly touted prospect vanishes without anyone noticing. It’s also true that every year, a player no one expected becomes a star. Why not these players?
