How Acquired
Tate Southisene was selected with the Braves first round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, 22nd overall.
What Were Expectations? There weren’t many expectations for Tate because high school seniors
don’t often make their full season debut in the year that they were drafted! It’s safe to assume Braves coaches considered Tate shattered their own expectations for him because he ended up making his full season debut.
2025 Results
As a senior in high school, Tate put up video game numbers. Tate appeared in 32 games and hit an absurd .495/.589/.903 with 41% of his hits being extra-base hits. He showed great feet, and hands, while manning short resulting with the Braves using their first round selection on him and immediately giving him the shortstop position. As for with the GreenJackets, Tate was a bit overwhelmed by the advanced pitching – as he hit .219/.242/.297 in 15 games. Tate walked one time which resulted in a walk rate of 1.5%, and a 40.9% strikeout rate.
What Went Right?
For Tate – life. Tate put together a fantastic senior year in high school, and was selected in the first round of the draft. Reports out of Florida glowed about Tate’s ability to hit it to all parts of the field already. He drove the ball into both gaps and showcased his speed with at least one triple.
What Went Wrong?
His surprising stint at Augusta was just OK, as he looked overpowered by pitchers. Fastballs were a bit faster, and breaking pitches broke just a bit harder than he was used to in High School, which led to his poor slash line and high walk rate.
2026 Outlook
With Tate already making his full season debut last year, one can imagine that Tate starts the season in Augusta next year. That alone would put him ahead of many others in his draft class so the expectations will be a bit higher. With an advanced approach, a great glove, good arm, and excellent speed – there is a lot to like about Tate Southisene, and if shows success early his stock will soar quickly because the tools are absolutely there.
