Top 30 Atlanta Braves Prospects for Dynasty Leagues

The time is here to start diving into all 30 MLB minor league systems to see which prospects are coming up next and who you should target in your dynasty leagues. In this series, I will be breaking down the top 10 for each team and then ranking out 11-30. We’re going to kick this off with the top 30 Atlanta Braves prospects and then move on through the league in the coming weeks.

You can find my full rankings of Atlanta Braves prospects and five guys to target outside the top 10 on the Weekly Streamer Patreon. This season I will be doing this by divisions starting with the NL East Champion Atlanta Braves. Let’s get into it.

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Top 10 Prospects

AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP

The rise of AJ Smith-Shawver among Braves prospects and the aggressiveness of Atlanta in moving him through the system has been fascinating. The Braves selected AJ Smith-Shawver out of high school in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB draft. If you look at the 8.1 innings he pitched in complex ball after the draft, Smith-Shawver struck out 16 while walking 10 but had an 8.64 ERA in four starts.

Fast forward to the 2022 season where the Braves kept Smith-Shawver in Low-A Augusta. Over 17 starts, Smith-Shawver struck out 103 batters in 68.2 innings pitched, keeping batters to a .212 average, and had a 5.11 ERA. The strikeouts were the eye-popping stat as Smith-Shawver had a 13.50 K/9 but continued to have a high BB/9 at 5.11. Regardless, the underlying numbers said that Smith-Shawver was better than his ERA suggested.

This season we have seen just how good Smith-Shawver actually is as the Braves have not been shy to challenge the 20-year-old. In only 33 innings in the minor leagues this season, Smith-Shawver ascended from High-A Rome where he logged 14 innings across 3 starts striking out 23 batters while having a 0.00 ERA. Then it was off to Double-A Mississippi for seven innings over two starts with nine strikeouts and once again a 0.00 ERA before getting the bump to Triple-A Gwinnett. In Gwinnett, Smith-Shawver at least showed he was human, striking out 13 in 12 innings and holding batters to a .190 average with a 3.00 ERA in two starts.

Congratulations to ATL RHP AJ Smith-Shawver for the call up to the Braves. He has been a 🚀 through there system. In 33 IP he has 45 Ks, .164 AVG and a 1.09 ERA in 7 starts. Incredible. #fortheA @aj_smithshawver @Braves @Fantrax https://t.co/VH1ugBABSZ

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) May 31, 2023

Now Smith-Shawver finds himself in the Atlanta Braves rotation after only 110 minor league innings across three seasons. It is reminiscent of the rise of current and former Braves pitchers like Tom Glavine, Julio Teheran, and Michael Soroka. The Braves have not been shy to bring pitchers up their top pitching prospects when the need arises. Although Smith-Shawver was called up and placed in the bullpen, you knew his final destination was in the rotation.

Jared Shuster, LHP

The Wake Forest pitching factory started getting recognition leading up to the 2020 MLB draft when the Braves selected Jared Shuster 25th overall. Shuster was known as a command and control pitcher who could dot the corners with a low 90s fastball and induce swing-and-miss with a plus change-up. While moving up the Braves organization Shuster continued to show solid strikeout numbers while limiting the walks. This warranted a call to the majors this season. Over Shuster’s first six starts the results have not been great as the left-hander has a 4.99 ERA and has been struggling with the walks (currently at a 5.58 BB/9).

It seems Shuster is starting to settle in as he has brought his average against down to .200. Since being called up to start on May 16th Shuster has not had a BAA above .176 or allowed more than three hits in any start. Shuster might not be a front-of-the-rotation arm but Soroka can be a solid back-of-the-rotation arm that could flash SP 3 once he gets comfortable in a big-league rotation.

Owen Murphy, RHP

The future of the Braves Rotation is already starting to make its way to the majors just as veteran arms like Charlie Morton and Max Fried inch closer to free agency. Arms like Strider, Elder, Shuster, and now Smith-Shawver are creating waves, and Braves prospects from the 2022 draft class might be the next up. The Braves selected Owen Murphy 20th overall in the draft last season out of high school and immediately sent the right-hander to complex ball then on to Low-A Augusta.

ATL RHP Owen Murphy has been solid this season in Augusta striking out 38 in 29.1 IP with a .233 Avg and a 3.99 ERA in 8 starts. #ForTheA @ojmurphy10 @GreenJackets @Braves https://t.co/h8fmgTHi4B

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) June 8, 2023

Murphy showed off his strikeout ability in his first taste of pro ball, striking out 17 batters over 12 innings and keeping batters to a .163 average with a 4.50 ERA in five combined starts. This season Murphy has picked up right where he left off, striking out 38 batters in 29.1 innings with a .233 average against and a 3.99 ERA in eight starts. The 19-year-old Murphy has struggled this season with the long ball as he has a 1.23 HR/9 and a 10.3% HR/FB rate so far. It might be a slower rise for Murphy who is showing solid signs but needs more time in the lower minors. Owen Murphy projects as a middle-of-the-rotation arm with a potential ceiling of a high-end SP 2 if things break right.

J.R. Ritchie, RHP

The Atlanta Braves doubled down in 2022 selecting a second high school arm in right-handed J.R. Ritchie. Ritchie came into the MLB draft with a true four-pitch mix in a fastball, slider, curveball, and change-up and showed solid control with his breaking pitches. Similar to Murphy, Ritchie debuted in complex ball and then in Low-A Augusta after the draft where Ritchie shined. Across 14.1 innings pitched Ritchie struck out 14 while keeping batters to a .184 average with a 1.88 ERA in 5 combined starts.

Currently back in Low-A Augusta Ritchie has put together four solid outings for the Green Jackets. The now 20-year-old Ritchie has struck out 25 batters in 13.1 innings pitched keeping batters to a .220 average with a 5.40 ERA in four starts. Now do not let the ERA deter you as he has been extremely unlucky so far this season as his 0.63 FIP shows. This profile so far reminds me of what we saw from Smith-Shawver at the same level last year before getting the major push by the Braves this season. Unfortunately, Ritchie has just undergone Tommy John surgery and will be out for the remainder of the season and most if not all of the 2024 season as well.

Dylan Dodd, LHP

Taken in the third round of the 2021 draft out of Southeast Missouri State as a senior, the Braves were able to move Dodd quickly through the farm system. Throughout his minor league career, Dodd never had a K/9 below 9.20 at any stop while averaging a 1.99 BB/9. In 2022 Dodd ascended three levels striking out 153 batters in 142 innings pitched keeping batters to a .247 average against and had a 3.36 ERA in 26 starts.

The 2023 season has been a different story for Dodd as he made his major league debut and struggled to get his footing. In four starts Dodd struck out only 10 in 20.1 innings pitched (4.43 K/9) while having a .356 average against and a 6.64 ERA. Even back in Triple-A Dodd has continued to struggle with his HR/FB rate (25.7%) and the highest walk rates of his career (3.90). I hope that Dodd can right the ship and get another opportunity as he has shown he can be a solid pitcher in the minor leagues.

Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP

Drafted in the second round of the 2021 MLB draft, Schwellenbach was a two-way player going into the draft. At the University of Nebraska Schwellenbach was used primarily as a relief pitcher and after being drafted by the Braves required Tommy John surgery. The 2023 season was Schwellenbach’s first taste of pro ball after and the Braves sent the righty off to Low-A Augusta. So far in 10 starts Schwellenbach has 29 strikeouts in 33.2 innings pitched while keeping batters to a .244 average with a 2.94 ERA.

ATL RHP Spencer Schwellenbach has worked his way back from TJ and has been putting together a solid season in Augusta. So far he has 29 Ks in 33.2 IP with a .244 Avg and a 2.94 ERA in 10 starts. Glad to see him back! #ForTheA @spencerschwell @GreenJackets @Husker_Baseball https://t.co/31mpNqx5qz

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) June 8, 2023

The strikeouts were down a bit to start the season and the walks up. This is not uncommon for a pitcher coming off TJ. Spencer features a fastball, slider, and change-up; all of which are profiled as above-average to plus offerings. The four-seam fastball sits in the mid-90s and tops out at 99 mph. Movement of the slider has started to come back to Schwellenbach and comes in around 83 mph while the change-up features solid fade out of the zone coming in at 86 mph.  I would suspect Schwellenbach could be promoted to High-A by the All-Star break and could remain a starter as long as he becomes more efficient, otherwise, he could be an exciting relief prospect.

Braden Shewmake, SS

The Braves have been testing out Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake at shortstop in Triple-A Gwinnett and in the majors this season. Vaughn profiles more as the bat first shortstop option whereas Shewmake takes more of the defensive side of the position. Drafted in the first round of the MLB draft in 2019 Shewmake has had a slow rise through the system struggling to hit with the bat (.247/.307/.379 career slash line) so it was a bit surprising to see there be a competition for the shortstop job out of spring training.

Currently in Triple-A Shewmake is slashing .215/.275/.405 with seven home runs, 26 runs scored, 24 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 40 games. Throughout his time in the minor leagues, Shewmake has maintained solid walk (7.46 BB%) and strikeout rates (19.14 K%). Honestly, there could easily be 3 or 4 names I could put above Shewmake that I believe could provide more offensive stats. However, if Shewmake or Grissom wins the shortstop of the future job in Atlanta you could see at least high runs and RBIs out of the Braves high-scoring offense making Shewmake intriguing as a bench bat for dynasty purposes.

Cole Phillips, RHP

Taken in the second round of the 2022 MLB draft out of high school, Cole Phillips has an electric fastball that was touching 100 mph. Sadly this velocity might have contributed to Phillips requiring Tommy John surgery prior to the draft potentially making him a steal for the Braves. Along with the double-plus fastball projections, Phillips also features a curveball and change-up. The former is an impressive pitch that I’ve seen classified as a slider and curveball but is thrown in the mid-80s and has good break and depth to it, making it a strong potential out pitch.

ATL RHP Cole Phillips is working his way back from TJ but take a moment to appreciate what we are about to see! A high school arm that touches 101 MPH!? 😯 can’t wait for the pro debut. #ForTheA @Cole_Phillips_ @Braves https://t.co/1bSbHoHFpk

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) June 8, 2023

Phillips threw a change-up on occasion in high school and will need to refine it now in the pro but the mid 80’s change-up profiles as an average offering and pairs well off the fastball. There is a chance we could see Phillips by year’s end as he finishes his recovery from TJ making the 20-year-old one to watch as he has a front-line starter upside.

Seth Keller, RHP

The Braves continued their on high school arms in the 2022 MLB draft, selecting Seth Keller in the sixth round. Keller was known going into the draft as a two-way player out of Virginia that only had one season of starting experience. One of Keller’s best offerings is the change-up that comes in at 82 mph and has a solid fade to it and seems to play off his low-90s fastball. Keller also features a low 80s slider that has solid movement and dives out of the zone. In 2023 Keller has pitched as a starter and reliever for Low-A Augusta, where he has struck out 22 batters in 23 innings pitched with a .179 average against and a 1.17 ERA in six appearances, two of which were starts.

📝👀 keep your eyes on ATL RHP Seth Keller so far he has 22 Ks in 23 IP with a .179 Avg and a 1.17 ERA in 6 appearances and 2 starts. Of his 6 appearances 4 has been 4 innings pitched or more. #ForTheA @keller2022 @GreenJackets @Braves https://t.co/KVC13ZGcCB

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) June 8, 2023

With Keller working from the bullpen in many of his appearances, it appears the Braves are still testing him out as a starter long-term. Keller is a solid stash in deep dynasty leagues as he has been available off the waiver wire early in the season.

David McCabe, 3B/1B

There have been several Braves prospects from the 2022 draft class in the top 10 and David McCabe rounds it out. Selected in the fourth round out of the University of Charlotte, McCabe has shown solid numbers since arriving in the Braves organization. In 2023 the Braves started McCabe back at Low-A Augusta where in 42 games he was slashing .267/.381/.493 with eight home runs, 26 runs scored, and 25 RBIs.

💣🚀ATL 1B/3B David McCabe is getting off to a good start in Rome! Prior to the call up McCabe was slashing.267/.381/.493 with 8 HR, 26 R and 25 RBIs in 42 GP. #ForTheA @CharlotteBSB @TheRomeBraves @Braves https://t.co/VmjmC2hKwk

— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) June 8, 2023

McCabe continued to show patience at the plate which resulted in his 15.3% walk percentage and a 26.7% strikeout percentage. Now in High-A Rome McCabe has continued to show discipline at the plate so far in his small seven-game sample size. At 23 years old McCabe is on the older side of prospects for the level but if he can continue to show power and on-base skills it would not be shocking to see him finish the year in Double-A Mississippi.

Top 30 Atlanta Braves Prospects

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