With the 48th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Vermont prep right hander Kaiden McCarthy. McCarthy is a reclassification into this draft, young for the class, and really impressed with his showing at the combine.
Bio
Name: Kaiden McCarthy
Position: Right Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Chester, VT (Vermont Academy HS)
School: Tennessee
Height: 6’0
Weight: 185
Bats/Throws: R/R
Rankings
Baseball America: 76
Perfect Game: 54
Pipeline: 61
ESPN: 51
Overslot: 67
My Own: 68
Consensus: 58
Fastball 60
McCarthy has a plus fastball up to 99 MPH, a pitch that really looked great at the high school game at the combine last month.
Slider 50
The slider is an average offering which could potentially tick up if he is able to add a little more power to it.
Curve 55
McCarthy has an above average curve which has at times flashed as a plus pitch for him.
Changeup 50
The change is a pitch which should be at least average for him, though it hasn’t been used often yet at the prep level.
Command 50
McCarthy is a strike thrower who should be an average command guy going forward.
Overall Thoughts
A young for the class, cold weather Northeast prep arm with a significant fastball and good command with the potential to develop the rest of his arsenal feels like a very Braves pick. He might take time to develop but the ceiling is high for him. I wouldn’t expect him to reach the big leagues before late-2029, but the potential makes it worth it to take a chance on signing him to an overslot deal.
