Normally this is a series that we update after the draft, and then again upon the end of the season. Well, you have to stay hip to the trends and with several outlets already updating their top 30 lists after a full month of the season, we wanted to make sure we provided you with the same kind of content here. So without further ado, here’s a look at the Braves new look top 30.
1. Didier Fuentes – RHP
2026 Stats: 3-0, 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 24 K, 7 BB in 19.2 IP (Atlanta), 1-1, 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 20 K, 6 BB in 16.2 IP (Triple-A)
Reasoning: Fuentes ceiling, combined with the fact that he has been having success in the big leagues already gave him a strong case for taking the top spot in the system.
2. Cam Caminiti – LHP
2026 Stats: 1-2, 5.19 ERA, 1.38 ERA, 43 K, 18 BB in 43.1 IP
Reasoning: Cam stays near the top with his now six pitch mix (four-seam, two-seam, cutter, sweeper, splitter, changeup), but falls to 2 only because of the continued improved command by Didier Fuentes.
3. JR Ritchie – RHP
2026 Stats: 1-1, 4.56 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 21 K, 16 BB in 25.2 IP (Atlanta), 3-1, 1.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 31 K, 16 BB in 33 IP (Triple-A)
Reasoning: Ritchie drops a spot mostly because of the emergence of Fuentes on the big league level, rather than anything Ritchie has done wrong. He should still at least be a competent #4 starter.
4. Eric Hartman – OF
2026 Stats: .302/.384/.623, 11 2B, 3B, 13 HR, 34 ERA, 16-19 SB, 19 BB, 43 K, 185 PA (High-A)
Reasoning: Eric surges 20 spots because of his continued production with his hit tool, continued patience at the plate, and BOOMING power. Not only is the production at the plate impressive, the process behind the production is strong as well.
5. John Gil – SS
2026 Stats: .264/.374/.434, 6 2B, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 23-26 SB, 29 BB, 37 K, 196 PA (High-A)
Reasoning: Gil’s rise is because he has shown the power spike we saw at the end of 2025 has successfully carried into this season. It’s now easier to see him becoming an impactful big leaguer as opposed to the guy who hit just six homers from 2023 through July 2025.
6. Tate Southisene – INF
2026 Stats: .286/.426/.472, 5 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 33-40 SB, 33 BB, 45 K, 204 PA (Low-A)
Reasoning: Tate stays at six after a very impressive start to his season. Tate has shown a very strong hit tool to go with a great approach at the plate which has resulted in a very strong .426 OBP. He’s also shown lots of success on the field, and on the base pads.
7. Diego Tornes – OF
2026 Stats: .212/.235/.212, 0 XBH, 6-8 SB, 0 BB, 7 K, 34 PA (FCL)
Reasoning: The reason Tornes dropped two spots is more about the emergence of Hartman, Gil, and Southisene than anything he has done. His stats in his first eight games aren’t great, but we continue to hear and see good things about him and his underlying metrics.
8. Owen Murphy – RHP
2026 Stats: 2-4, 5.75 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 45 K, 29 BB in 40.2 IP (AA + AAA)
Reasoning: Owen has struggled out the gate with the command of his fastball which has led to some early season struggles. That said, his fall is mainly due to the rise of the players above him. His potential remains unchanged, with serious upside as a #3 with the improved velocity on his four-seam.
9. Briggs McKenzie – LHP
2026 Stats: 0-0, 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 5 K, 2 BB in 6.1 IP (FCL)
Reasoning: McKenzie’s two spot drop is also because others have emerged. He’s only made two FCL starts after a slight delay to his year, but he has looked pretty much as expected so far.
10. Luke Sinnard – RHP
2026 Stats: 0-2, 3.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 14 K, 1 BB in 12.0 IP (FCL + High-A)
Reasoning: The delayed start of the season for Luke combined with the hot starts of the positional players above him, is the reason why Luke has fallen to 10 overall. He still remains an intriguing, high-upside starting pitcher.
11. Luis Guanipa – OF
2026 Stats: .308/.351/.527, 7 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 21-24 SB, 10 BB, 21 K in 188 PA (Low-A)
Reasoning: After two lost years due to injury, Guanipa is finally healthy and producing in 2026. The power that we last saw in 2023 has returned as well.
12. Conor Essenburg – OF
2026 Stats: .196/.362/.326, 2B, 3B, HR, 7 RBI, 1-2 SB, 12 BB, 24 K in 58 PA (FCL + Low-A)
Reasoning: Conor has shown an approach well beyond his age as he’s put up quality at-bat after quality at-bat to start his career. That approach, along with his impressive EV numbers make him a very intriguing corner outfield prospect for the Braves.
13. Isaiah Drake – OF
2026 Stats: .280/.360/.451, 9 2B, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 14-19 SB, 20 BB, 49 K in 197 PA (High-A)
Reasoning: The progress with the hit tool continues, as all three numbers in his slash line are on pace to be new career highs for a full season.
14. Alex Lodise – SS
2026 Stats: .250/.332/.413, 4 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 25 RBI, 9-9 SB, 19 BB, 58 K in 208 PA (Low-A)
Reasoning: It’s been a bit of an up and down start for Alex who has flashed impressive power, tied first for home runs on the team, and impressive exit velocities, but has struggled to have consistent quality at bats. The defense has been as advertised.
15. Herick Hernandez – LHP
2026 Stats: 0-1, 1.83 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 29 K, 12 BB in 19.2 IP (Double-A)
Reasoning: Currently out on the IL, Hernandez has shown that he can keep missing bats in his first taste of the upper minors. Command is still his biggest question mark going forward.
16. Garrett Baumann – RHP
2026 Stats: 3-3, 5.86 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, 46 K, 23 BB in 43.0 IP (Double-A)
Reasoning: Garrett has struggled just a bit with his command which has seen his walk rate more than double, and his home run rate nearly double. He’s also the victim of some bad luck as his BABIP is a robust .390.
17. Dixon Williams – INF/OF
2026 Stats: .257/.374/.465, 6 2B, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 9-13 SB, 18 BB, 27 K in 101 PA (High-A)
Reasoning: All Williams has done this year is produce when he’s been on the field, despite splitting his time between first (8 games), second (7), third (2), center (6), and DH (5).
18. Ethan Bagwell – RHP
2026 Stats: 2-0, 2.20 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 42 K, 12 BB in 41.0 IP (Low-A)
Reasoning: Ethan climbs after showing a continued ability to land his fastball in the upper third to go along with a sweeper that he’s been able to locate on both sides of the plate to lefties and righties.
19. Jhancarlos Lara – RHP
2026 Stats: 1-0, 7.43 ERA, 2.55 WHIP, 18 K, 24 BB in 13.1 IP (Double-A)
Reasoning: One of the biggest drops in the system, Lara started the year out at a level lower than he finished last season and has struggled more than ever before with his command. On a positive note, he has looked much better in May than April – though he still has a 2.10 WHIP and 8 walks in 6.2 innings this month.
20. Rayven Antonio – RHP
2026 Stats: IL – Full Season
Reasoning: After a promising 2025, Rayven will miss the entire season.
21. Owen Carey – OF
2026 Stats: .267/.340/.444, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 1-1 SB, 4 BB, 7 K in 50 PA (High-A)
Reasoning: The main reason for Carey’s four spot drop is that he simply hasn’t been able to play. He’s been out with injury since April 19th.
22. Michael Martinez – OF
2026 Stats: .352/.456/.722, 2 2B, 6 HR, 3-5 SB, 10 BB, 12 K in 68 PA (FCL + Low-A)
Reasoning: After tearing apart the FCL, Michal earned a promotion to Low-A Augusta where he’s put on an impressive power display.
23. Cade Kuehler – RHP
2026 Stats: 4-1, 4.31 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 34 K, 13 BB in 39.2 IP (High-A)
Reasoning: Kuehler really struggled through April, but has since been dominant. Over his last three starts he has pitched 17.1 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts. Considering he missed 2025 with injury, he may have just been shaking off the rust early in this season.
24. Raudy Reyes – RHP
2026 Stats: IL – Full Season
Reasoning: Raudy will miss the season due to Tommy John surgery.
25. Juan Mateo – INF
2026 Stats: .314/.368/.390, 4 2B, 2 3B, 8-11 SB, 9 BB, 26 K in 114 PA (Low-A)
Reasoning: Mateo, who just turned 19 within the last week, has been showing off his advanced feel for hitting against older pitching. He doesn’t walk much, and there isn’t a lot of power yet – but you can’t argue with his feel for hitting, especially when there is still plenty of time to grow into more power.
26. Cody Miller – INF
2026 Stats: .200/.292/.327, 9 2B, 4 HR, 15-18 SB, 16 BB, 60 K in 193 PA (High-A)
Reasoning: Cody is one of the biggest fallers as he’s struggled to produce at the plate with rising strikeout rates and decreased contact rates. The pressing at the plate has led him to increase his chasing, leading to a sub .300 OBP.
27. Jose Perdomo – SS
2026 Stats: 0-6 in 2 games (Low-A)
Reasoning: After two injury plagued seasons, Perdomo came into camp in the best shape the Braves have seen him since signing. Unfortunately he was injured in the second game of the season, and it is expected to cost him a lengthy stay on the IL.
28. Jose Mañon – SS
2026 Stats: N/A (DSL)
Reasoning: The biggest signing of this last signing period, Jose has yet to start his season but has been talked about quite positively by coaches.
29. Edelson Cabral – OF
2026 Stats: N/A (DSL)
Reasoning: Cabral was one of the top international signings in this year’s class for the Braves, though like Manon he hasn’t played any games yet as the DSL season hasn’t begun. Still we continue to hear very positive signs about the young outfielder.
30. Carter Holton – LHP
2026 Stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 2 BB, 6 K in 4.2 IP (FCL)
Reasoning: Carter has made a pair of rehab assignment for the FCL Braves as he returns from Tommy John surgery.
