{"id":140630,"date":"2026-01-17T02:34:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T02:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630"},"modified":"2026-01-17T02:34:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T02:34:06","slug":"%f0%9f%94%a5-the-next-name-to-watch-an-underrated-braves-shortstop-prospect-is-emerging-as-a-legit-2026-breakout-candidate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udd25 The Next Name to Watch: An Underrated Braves Shortstop Prospect Is Emerging as a Legit 2026 Breakout Candidate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_226,y_40,w_3322,h_1868\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/GettyImages\/mmsport\/17\/01keysmy1yxj4cyt8t5p.jpg\" alt=\"Detroit Tigers v. Atlanta Braves\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-25\">\n<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:eb342338-26a1-457c-a453-833498abaf2b-23\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-48\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"31527133-d673-4b99-828f-42f9c8b4d3bd\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-2\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words light markdown-new-styling\">\n<p data-start=\"207\" data-end=\"276\"><strong data-start=\"207\" data-end=\"257\">He Should Be Swimming in Deeper Waters in 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"278\" data-end=\"728\">The Atlanta Braves saw an influx of shortstop talent enter their farm system in 2025, but amid the attention surrounding newly drafted names, one familiar prospect may end up being the most important to watch next season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"278\" data-end=\"728\">Braves No. 13 prospect <strong data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"535\">John Gil<\/strong> quietly put together an impressive 2025 campaign, flashing elite speed, advanced contact skills, and hints of emerging power that suggest he could be on the verge of a meaningful leap in 2026.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"730\" data-end=\"1174\">While much of the spotlight landed on recent draft picks like Tate Southisene and Alex Lodise, Gil steadily built his case at Low-A Augusta. Over 100 games with the GreenJackets, the switch-hitting shortstop slashed <strong data-start=\"946\" data-end=\"964\">.258\/.352\/.378<\/strong>, swiped <strong data-start=\"973\" data-end=\"985\">50 bases<\/strong>, and consistently pressured opposing defenses. His performance was strong enough to earn a late-season promotion to Double-A Columbus, where he appeared in six games to close out the year.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1176\" data-end=\"1277\">That quiet but productive season is exactly why Gil stands out as a prospect poised to climb in 2026.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1279\" data-end=\"1335\">Why John Gil Could Take a Major Step Forward in 2026<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_497,y_0,w_1994,h_1121\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/GettyImages\/mmsport\/17\/01kec9dfzyea4vqkz19d.jpg\" alt=\"This forgotten Braves player a harsh reminder that prospect hype is often meaningless\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1733\">Gil\u2019s development has followed a steady upward trajectory since signing as a low-profile international free agent. Each season, he has added a new layer to his game, and many of those elements now appear ready to converge. Still young for his level, Gil is expected to open 2026 with High-A Rome, where he will face a more challenging caliber of pitching and a truer test of his offensive growth.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1735\" data-end=\"2020\">Defensively, Gil already offers a strong foundation. His instincts at shortstop are advanced, his footwork is clean, and his athleticism allows him to make plays on both routine and difficult balls. That defensive reliability gives him margin for error as his bat continues to develop.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2022\" data-end=\"2423\">Offensively, the next step is translating strength into consistent impact. Gil has shown he can drive the ball\u2014his <strong data-start=\"2137\" data-end=\"2168\">111.1 mph max exit velocity<\/strong> from last season confirms that raw power exists\u2014but it has yet to show up regularly in games. As he continues to add physical strength and refine his swing, hard contact should begin turning into more extra-base hits rather than singles and ground balls.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2425\" data-end=\"2749\">Plate discipline has long been one of Gil\u2019s calling cards, and that trait may be his greatest asset moving forward. His ability to control the strike zone and make frequent contact suggests he is well-equipped to handle advanced pitching, particularly as Atlanta\u2019s player development system continues to refine his approach.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2751\" data-end=\"3172\">The Braves have a proven track record of developing middle infielders, especially when it comes to improving swing decisions and maximizing defensive versatility. If Gil continues on his current path\u2014tightening his offensive approach while allowing his athleticism to play\u2014<strong data-start=\"3024\" data-end=\"3171\">2026 could be the season he transitions from under-the-radar prospect to a legitimate shortstop-of-the-future candidate within the organization<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3174\" data-end=\"3368\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">At the very least, he appears ready to test deeper waters. And if the progress holds, John Gil may soon force his way into much bigger conversations about Atlanta\u2019s long-term plans at shortstop.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3174\" data-end=\"3368\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Why John Gil could become the Braves\u2019 shortstop of the future in 2026 Gil could be poised to take a meaningful step forward in 2026 as several elements of his development begin to align.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3174\" data-end=\"3368\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Once a low-end IFA signing, Gil has continued to improve in each of his professional baseball seasons. Still young for his level, we expect Gil to begin next season with High-A Rome. Gil has already shown advanced defensive instincts at shortstop, giving him a strong foundation to build upon as his bat continues to mature.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3174\" data-end=\"3368\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Improved physical strength should allow him to drive the ball with more authority, turning hard contact into consistent extra-base production rather than simply relying on his above average contact skills. Last season, Gil recorded a max exit velocity of 111.1 mph, showing that power is already part of his profile; it is simply a matter of allowing it to play more consistently in games.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3174\" data-end=\"3368\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1PN6lg.img?w=768&amp;h=432&amp;m=6&amp;x=422&amp;y=65&amp;s=85&amp;d=85\" alt=\"ESPN Ranks Braves Middle of Pack in Early 2026 Power Rankings\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3174\" data-end=\"3368\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Additionally, Gil\u2019s plate discipline has long been a strong suit, suggesting he may be well equipped to handle more advanced pitching in 2026. The Braves\u2019 player development system also plays a significant role in his outlook. Atlanta has a strong track record of refining infield prospects, particularly when it comes to swing decisions and defensive versatility.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3174\" data-end=\"3368\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">If Gil continues to tighten his approach and translate his athleticism into more consistent offensive results, 2026 could represent a breakout season that elevates him from an overlooked prospect to legitimate shortstop of the future within the organization.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>He Should Be Swimming in Deeper Waters in 2026 The Atlanta Braves saw an influx of shortstop talent enter their farm system in 2025, but amid the&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":140637,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-140630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>\ud83d\udd25 The Next Name to Watch: An Underrated Braves Shortstop Prospect Is Emerging as a Legit 2026 Breakout Candidate - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udd25 The Next Name to Watch: An Underrated Braves Shortstop Prospect Is Emerging as a Legit 2026 Breakout Candidate - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"He Should Be Swimming in Deeper Waters in 2026 The Atlanta Braves saw an influx of shortstop talent enter their farm system in 2025, but amid the...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-17T02:34:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-52.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630\",\"name\":\"\ud83d\udd25 The Next Name to Watch: An Underrated Braves Shortstop Prospect Is Emerging as a Legit 2026 Breakout Candidate - NEWS USA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-52.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-17T02:34:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-17T02:34:06+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-52.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-52.png\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"\ud83d\udd25 The Next Name to Watch: An Underrated Braves Shortstop Prospect Is Emerging as a Legit 2026 Breakout Candidate\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\",\"name\":\"NEWS USA\",\"description\":\"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731\",\"name\":\"MsThao\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"MsThao\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=3\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"\ud83d\udd25 The Next Name to Watch: An Underrated Braves Shortstop Prospect Is Emerging as a Legit 2026 Breakout Candidate - NEWS USA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"\ud83d\udd25 The Next Name to Watch: An Underrated Braves Shortstop Prospect Is Emerging as a Legit 2026 Breakout Candidate - NEWS USA","og_description":"He Should Be Swimming in Deeper Waters in 2026 The Atlanta Braves saw an influx of shortstop talent enter their farm system in 2025, but amid the...","og_url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630","og_site_name":"NEWS USA","article_published_time":"2026-01-17T02:34:06+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-52.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"MsThao","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"MsThao","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630","name":"\ud83d\udd25 The Next Name to Watch: An Underrated Braves Shortstop Prospect Is Emerging as a Legit 2026 Breakout Candidate - NEWS USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-52.png","datePublished":"2026-01-17T02:34:06+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-17T02:34:06+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-52.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-52.png","width":1080,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=140630#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\ud83d\udd25 The Next Name to Watch: An Underrated Braves Shortstop Prospect Is Emerging as a Legit 2026 Breakout Candidate"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/","name":"NEWS USA","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731","name":"MsThao","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MsThao"},"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=3"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=140630"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":140638,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140630\/revisions\/140638"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/140637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=140630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=140630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=140630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}