Pitching and defense seem to headline the Atlanta Braves’ 2025 undrafted free agent signings. The Braves wrapped up their UDFA signings by adding a prep catcher with strong defensive skills and occasional pop, the Miami Hurricanes starting catcher and leader on the field in 2025, and a former Decatur High School star pitcher.

Braves add strength up the middle because pitching and defense wins

Jonathan Matos – 6’0, 215 lb, RHH C/3B/OF – Rockledge Senior High School, Cocoa, FL

Jonathan led Rockledge in every offensive category in 2024, batting .488/.544/.872/1.416, earn FLORIDA TODAY’s Baseball Player of the Year honors, and be named catcher for the All-Space Coast team.

Matos backed that up by batting .551/.603/.957/1.156, including nine doubles, three triples, and five homers to lead Rockledge to the Florida Class 4A regional quarterfinals, and earn him Central Florida Hitter of the Year honors.

Matos split time between catcher and shortstop in 2024, but added third base, first base, and an occasional outfield start to his skill set when not catching in 2025. It’s not a surprise that the Braves announced him as a catcher, as Perfect Game shows a 1.73 pop-time.

These are prep numbers, and the transition to professional ball will cause them to drop, but Matos turned 18 in June and has time to follow the Drake Baldwin path to the majors.

Tanner Smith – 6’0, 200 lb, RHH C – University of Miami

When Tanner Smith transferred to Miami after three years at Oregon State, 64Analytics ranked him 34th among catchers in the transfer portal. Writing for 24/7 Sports, Christoper Stock described him as “a defensive-minded catcher who led the Pac-12 in throwing out 54.2 percent (13 of 24) of potential base stealers. (who) is also known for his pitch-framing ability.”

Smith became the Hurricanes’ primary catcher in 2025, starting 55 of their 67 games, and according to 24/7 Sports Extreme, became the team’s leader on the field.

“…a cornerstone of the Hurricanes’ program, known for his leadership behind the plate and clutch performances in high-pressure games… he posted a solid batting average and was ranked among the top collegiate catchers in throw-out percentage and pitch framing.”

That post went on to quote scouts as noting Smith’s “maturity, game-calling IQ, and relentless work ethic (as) the qualities that make him a perfect fit” for the Braves. Smith’s experience on playoff teams and experience behind the plate should speed his path to the majors.

Jaylen Paden – 5’10, 195 lb, RHP – Georgia Tech

When Jayden Paden wasn’t pitching to an 8-4 record and 5.62 ERA for Decatur High School, he played shortstop beside his friend Jordan Walker at third. In his senior season, Paden and Walker helped lead the school to a regional Championship.

Scouts speculated that both Walker and Paden would earn selection in the coming draft. But the COVID-19 epidemic resulted in a limited, five-round draft. Baseball America ranked him 380th in their list of top 500 prospects in 2020, based on “a solid three-pitch mix headlined by a sinking fastball that tops out in the low 90s.”

Paden appeared in 32 (21 starts) games over the three years he attended GS, and was named Sunbelt Pitcher of the Week in April 2022, but his third season ended after only six games when he injured his elbow and required UCL replacement surgery.

Two years and a transfer to Georgia Tech later, Paden returned to the mound, appearing in 15 games that included five starts, and posted a 2.91 ERA over 43.1 IP, walking 25 while striking out 51. Paden was the first pitcher to post a sub-3.00 ERA for Tech in five seasons.

The Braves will probably give Paden a shot at starting, with a fallback option of being a late-inning reliever.

That’s a Wrap

UDFAs are often overlooked because they aren’t ranked or because injuries held them back, but this year’s group features a few players with high potential upside. The Braves are due for some good luck, perhaps they’ve found some in this year’s signings.