Atlanta Braves linked to ‘group’ of high school prospects in MLB draft

As the 2024 MLB Draft approaches, the Atlanta Braves’ top targets appear to be emerging — and the list includes several highly touted high school arms.

In The AthleticIn the latest mock draft, the Braves selected Alabama and Oxford High School (Alabama) shortstop Carter Johnson with the 24th overall pick, but draft insider Keith Law added a plethora of additional names to watch for Atlanta’s first-round pick.

“I’ve heard them with the high school pitching group in play anywhere from here to early in the second round – (Ryan) Sloan, Kash Mayfield, (William) Schmidt and especially Braylon Doughty,” Law wrote.

The Braves could also land another shortstop, Kellon Lindsey, who attended Hardee High School in Wauchula, Fla., and was drafted 22nd overall by the Baltimore Orioles in Law’s mock draft. Lindsey is currently signed to the Florida Gators.

Both Lindsey and Johnson have more powerful hitting tools, with Lindsey, a former high school quarterback, also boasting elite running times. Johnson boasts a smooth left-handed swing but could eventually have to move to second or third base as he gets older, according to MLB Pipeline.

Sloan, another name mentioned by Law, was sent to the 23rd pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who also have interest in Schmidt. Neither Mayfield nor Doughty found a spot in the top slot of Law’s projections.

Schmidt and Sloan, both right-handed pitchers, have big arms, their fastballs reaching 99 and ranging from 55 to 60 mph.

Doughty, a right-hander, and Mayfield, a left-hander, are both over 97, but both have impressive off-speed stuff, with Doughty throwing potential as well as sliders and curveballs while Mayfield has an “advanced” changeup, according to MLB Pipeline.

As for college prospects, Law said the Braves haven’t been linked to much.

“Atlanta might be Brecht’s turf,” Law wrote. “Other than Brecht, I haven’t heard them specifically with college players.”

Brecht was selected 20th overall by the Blue Jays in Law’s mock draft. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has immense physical upside and skills that have earned him comparisons to Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes.

“When healthy, Brecht’s fastball and slider are comparable to Paul Skenes’,” MLB Pipeline writes. “He can hit 96-99 mph and touch 101 with his heater, which has an explosive running action and superior shape to Skenes’ fastball, though Brecht doesn’t locate his ball as well.”

“That said, his best pitch is a slider that parks at 87-89 mph and tops out at 91 with plenty of horizontal and vertical action.”

Since general manager Alex Anthopoulos’ first draft in 2018, the Braves have selected three high school arms — Carter Stewart (2018), Owen Murphy (2022) and J.R. Ritchie (2022 addition) — and five college players, including a trio of arms and a pair of hitters.

Where will Anthopoulos and the Braves go this summer? The high school route seems to be the most likely, but the answer will come Sunday.