{"id":69432,"date":"2025-07-18T08:32:44","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T08:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=69432"},"modified":"2025-07-18T08:32:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T08:32:44","slug":"update-braves-may-have-struck-gold-with-undrafted-potential-future-closer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=69432","title":{"rendered":"UPDATE: Braves may have struck gold with undrafted potential future closer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Braves signed four undrafted free agents, and one of them could become their next power-armed closer.<\/div>\n<\/header>\n
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Bruce Sutter – Atlanta Braves | Scott Cunningham\/GettyImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Undrafted free agents are talented players\u00a0who might have been taken if rounds 21-40 still existed. Don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Braves have gone heavy on pitching when it comes to undrafted free agents so far<\/h2>\n

A lot of good undrafted players have worn the Tomahawk; Paul Assenmacher, Darren O\u2019Day, Kirby Yates, and\u00a0current Brave that the team misses badly, Joe Jim\u00e9nez, 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.<\/p>\n

Daniel Brooks, RHP, College of Charleston<\/h3>\n

Daniel Brooks joins the list of tall pitchers the Braves signed since the draft began. \u00a0As prep righty,\u00a0Brooks came in at #286\u00a0on Baseball America\u2019s 2021 top 500 prospects list, and their scouting report suggested upside.<\/p>\n

“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\u2026The new curveball upped his ceiling for many evaluators and (his) slow changeup in the upper 70s that gives him a three-pitch mix.”<\/em><\/p>\n

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,\u00a0Brooks appeared in 17 games,\u00a0including 14 starts, posting a 4.44 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, while striking out 74 and walking just 24 in 75IP.<\/p>\n

Will Eldrige, RHP, Indiana University<\/h3>\n

If you search for Will Eldridge videos, you\u2019ll only find Bryce Eldridge, and that may work out well for the Braves.<\/p>\n

Will Eldridge is a 6\u20194, 210 lb RHRP that the Braves hope\u00a0will 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t bad in those outings, but missed over a month between outings, which may indicate he was out with an injury.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Adiel Melendez, LHP, University of Montevallo<\/h3>\n

Adiel Melendez is a 6\u20190, 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Scott Mudler, Catcher, Oklahoma<\/h3>\n