{"id":68669,"date":"2025-07-15T07:40:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T07:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=68669"},"modified":"2025-07-15T07:40:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T07:40:18","slug":"warning-this-braves-sleeper-pick-will-haunt-nl-east-rivals-for-years-to-come","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=68669","title":{"rendered":"WARNING: This Braves sleeper pick will haunt NL East rivals for years to come"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"relative z-10\">\n<div class=\"article-intro mb-4 text-black font-group-large md:font-group-normal lg:font-group-large\">The Atlanta Braves might have a gem, they&#8217;ll just need him to develop into a top tier prospect.<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"mb-0 md:mb-9 relative md:mx-10 md:mb-9\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"overflow-hidden bg-lightGrey\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_360,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg 1x,  \nhttps:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg 2x, \n    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 719px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg 1x, \nhttps:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg 2x, \n    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg 3x\" media=\"(max-width: 1079px)\" \/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg 1x, \nhttps:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_2160,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg 2x,\n    https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_2160,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images%2FGettyImages%2Fmmsport%2F229%2F01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg 3x\" media=\"(min-width: 1080px)\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full\" title=\"Arizona Diamondbacks v Atlanta Braves\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_52,w_4247,h_2388\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/GettyImages\/mmsport\/229\/01k052q532kde1pyf13k.jpg\" alt=\"Arizona Diamondbacks v Atlanta Braves\" width=\"4247\" height=\"2388\" data-uw-rm-alt-original=\"Arizona Diamondbacks v Atlanta Braves\" data-uw-rm-alt=\"ALT\" \/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"ml-1 pb-2 mt-4 md:m-3 text-darkGrey font-group-tiny\">Arizona Diamondbacks v Atlanta Braves | Matthew Grimes Jr.\/Atlanta Braves\/GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-wrap justify-center lg:justify-normal\">\n<div class=\"flex lg:mr-4 lg:w-[calc(70%-3em)] max-w-full\"><main class=\"min-w-0 flex-1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"viewablity-block\">\n<figure class=\"player-wrapper relative aspect-video mb-[18px] bg-grey rounded-md hidden player-wrapper-lg md:block\">\n<div id=\"mm-player-placeholder-large-screen\" class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full\">\n<div class=\"voltax-mp-placeholder voltax-mp-placeholder-anchored floating\" data-is-split-view=\"false\">\n<div class=\"voltax-mp-container-anchored\">\n<div class=\"titleBar title-anchor\"><span class=\"title\"><span class=\"\">Kayson Cunningham on Paul Skenes Trajekt<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"voltax-mp-video-wrapper-in-place\">\n<div class=\"voltax-mp-video-player-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<p>The\u00a0Atlanta Braves\u00a0needed some help in the bullpen and they drafted what could be one of the steals of the MLB Draft.\u00a0Briggs McKenzie\u00a0is headed to Atlanta\u2019s organization and could be an arm that develops into a weapon that will haunt the NL East for years.<\/p>\n<p>The Braves needed a player like McKenzie because they don\u2019t have that star pitcher in their farm system right now.<\/p>\n<p>Hurston Waldrep\u00a0is creeping up on being a bust as he\u2019s stuck on Gwinnett.<\/p>\n<p>The Braves don\u2019t have any faith in his ability to elevate this bullpen as he was supposed to be the next big thing after Spencer Striders fast track to MLB. With\u00a0Waldrep\u00a0taking a step back, McKenzie has the potential to leap frog him and develop into a core piece of the rotation.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">The Braves will have to open up the check book to lure McKenzie away from his LSU commitment though that shouldn\u2019t be an issue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">At 18 years old, he has a ways before he gets to MLB, but this coaching staff gets another gem to work with and it is something Braves fans can look forward to; especially with how the pitchers have looked this season.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Briggs McKenzie could be the savior for a team seeking pitching depth<\/h2>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">McKenzie joining the Braves essentially gives them something to look forward to down the road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">He may not be on the Strider path to MLB, but he\u2019s a player that can generate a lot of buzz and excitement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Over the last few seasons, Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson have all departed. This season\u2019s rotation isn\u2019t even scratching the surface for what they used to have.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Though he\u2019ll need a few years, having McKenzie develop into a solid player that can start is important. With the hype, though, he\u2019ll still need development. According to his MLB prospect profile, he\u2019s very much unpolished and has a lot of work to do before he\u2019s MLB ready.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Braves new prospect needs to work on his velocity<\/h2>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">He can top his fastball out anywhere between 90 and 95 but he can\u2019t sit around there long. After the first few innings, he drops to around 87-91.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">Which isn\u2019t bad, but he\u2019ll definitely need to work on his stamina. Though he could end up being a middle reliever if he doesn\u2019t, the Braves would love to have him be a starter that can go deep into games.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">The Braves have a pitcher that, if he develops and doesn\u2019t hit a wall in the minors, can be the perfect running mate with Strider in the starting rotation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">That\u2019s what the Braves want from him is to be a player that can bolster their starting rotation.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1\">They already have one pitcher that didn\u2019t live up to the expectations. McKenzie can\u2019t fall into that trap either. The Braves are banking on showing just how much of a steal they got in McKenzie.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Atlanta Braves might have a gem, they&#8217;ll just need him to develop into a top tier prospect. Arizona Diamondbacks v Atlanta Braves | Matthew Grimes Jr.\/Atlanta&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":68671,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68669","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>WARNING: This Braves sleeper pick will haunt NL East rivals for years to come - 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=68669\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"WARNING: This Braves sleeper pick will haunt NL East rivals for years to come - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Atlanta Braves might have a gem, they&#8217;ll just need him to develop into a top tier prospect. 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