Today, Baseball America released a new article grading each team’s farm system performance during the 2025 season. According to the article the grades are based on factors including farm system rank, key graduations, breakouts, disappointments/injuries, and key additions.
The Atlanta Braves system drew a “C” grade with the following note:
“The Braves deserve credit for graduating Drake Baldwin, and AJ Smith-Shawver looked good too until elbow surgery ended his season. Hurston Waldrep’s second foray
in the big leagues has gone much better. But the reservoir wasn’t deep enough to withstand Atlanta’s ineffectiveness and injuries elsewhere on the big league roster. Down deeper, Cam Caminiti, JR Ritchie and Didier Fuentes have all boosted their stock, but the system still lacks in overall firepower and hitting talent.”
The key graduations of Drake Baldwin, Hurston Waldrep, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Nacho Alvarez were known, as was the fact that they ranked the system #29 in their midseason rankings. The other factors in the grading were key newcomers like Diego Tornes, and the top draft choices from July. Finally the breakouts were listed as JR Ritchie and Didier Fuentes, with the disappointments/injuries being listed as Drue Hackenberg and Nick Montgomery.
This ranking ties Arizona (#12 midseason system ranking) for 12th in the National League, ahead of just the Nationals (C-) and the lowest graded team in all of baseball, the Padres (D).
