Suddenly, the Atlanta Braves aren’t in the same position they were in a few years ago. For a team that looked like they had an opportunity to compete over the next decade, the Braves are 27-31, 10.0 games out in the National League East, and 3-7 over their last 10 games.
There are a few ways this ball club could address this issue, but it’ll have to be a complete organizational effort. Whether it be signing better free agents, making different trades, or improving through the draft, the Braves have a lot of work to do.
But if they can land on who Baseball America predicted they’d select with the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, it’d be a step in the right direction. Baseball America predicted that the Braves would select Riley Quick out of Alabama, a right-hander with an upper-90s fastball.
“If there’s a pitcher who could easily join the top tier of college arms by the end of the season, it’s Quick. He brings physicality (6-foot-6, 255 pounds) that really can’t be found with any of the other first-round college arms as well as massive arm talent. He’s averaged 96.5 mph with his fastball and has had a few loud outings in recent weeks including a nine-strikeout game vs. Vanderbilt,” BA wrote.
Pitching for Rob Vaughn and the Crimson Tide, the 21-year-old posted a 3.92 ERA and struck out 70 hitters in 72.0 innings.
Quick has had some command issues in the past and only appeared in one game during the 2024 season due to an elbow injury.
However, his stuff is there, and if he continues to develop in his big frame, the Braves could be getting a decent arm.
